Junior SchoolSenior SchoolSixth Form

Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme

Sidcot is committed to providing an all round education that develops our students’ skills in life as well as academia.  The programme behind the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme fits perfectly with this aim and we are one of the largest organisations in the South West managing expeditions. 

In any year around 160 Sidcot students engage in the scheme, they enrol at Bronze level in Year 10 and can move onto Silver and Gold awards as they progress into the Sixth Form.  New entrants to the school at year 10 and above can join the scheme at any time. The award scheme is non-competitive and helps pupils to develop confidence and a sense of responsibility. The areas of Skill, Physical Recreation, Volunteering and the Expedition combine to produce a rounded individual and the completion of awards gives pupils a sense of achievement and, with a Gold Award being seen as an equivalent to an A Level, a valuable addition to their C.V. for University applications.

Sidcot has a strong history of students successfully completing the Duke of Edinburgh Award and attending a ceremony at Buckingham Palace to receive their Gold award from HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.  Students who have won this prestigious award include: Jake Cornish, Sam Foster, Fred Reed, Joshua Slocombe,  James Walmsley, Vitaly Arkulinski, Zoe Wride and Nicola Goldhawk.

Overview of the Award Scheme

The summary below indicates the level of commitment needed for each award. Participants should spend an average of one hour per week on each activity over the period indicated. More details about the award scheme at Sidcot can be obtained from Jim Scott.

  • Bronze: 3 months for two of the three sections (Volunteering, Skill and Physical Recreation), 6 months for one section. Expedition training, a practice expedition and a 2 day final expedition with overnight camp.
  • Silver: 6 months for Volunteering and 3 months and 6 months for the other two sections. Training and a practice expedition for a three day, two night final expedition. Pupils who start Silver without completing Bronze must complete an extra six months in one of the six month sections.
  • Gold: As for Silver but with the times for each section doubled. The expedition is a 4 day venture and in addition a residential 5 day course away from home must be completed.