DofE gives pupils the chance to build independence, resilience, commitment and leadership through experience beyond the classroom. Myddelton supports Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards as a progressive pathway through the Senior School and Sixth Form.
Four core elements at every level:
- Volunteering — contributing positively to the community
- Physical — fitness and commitment through activity
- Skills — learning or developing a personal skill
- Expedition — planning, training for and completing an adventurous journey
Gold participants also complete a Residential section — time away from home on a shared activity with people they don’t already know.
Bronze Award (primarily Year 9)
An introduction to independent programme management. Pupils choose their own Volunteering, Physical and Skills activities, logging progress on eDofE, and complete expedition training in navigation, route planning, campcraft, cooking, equipment, first aid, teamwork and emergencies — applied on a two-day, one-night expedition in a small team.
Silver Award (primarily Year 10)
A greater step up in commitment and independence. Training builds navigation, equipment management, campcraft and decision-making for a three-day, two-night expedition, demanding more teamwork and self-reliance. Pupils who skip Bronze can usually start at Silver, with some additional section time required.
Gold Award (Sixth Form)
The most demanding level, requiring sustained commitment across all sections plus expedition and residential. The four-day, three-night expedition takes place in a suitably challenging environment, with pupils taking on greater responsibility for planning, route choices and group decisions.
Expeditions at Myddelton
North Wales and beyond offer outstanding expedition country, on foot or by canoe. Before setting off, pupils train in:
- Navigation and route planning
- Campcraft and outdoor cooking
- Equipment selection and packing
- First aid and emergencies
- Safe decision-making and teamwork
- Environmental responsibility
- Expedition aims and presentation
Practice and qualifying expeditions are appropriately supervised, with pupils taking on more independence as they progress through the Award.
Support and inclusion
Training days, expedition preparation and regular DofE clinics support pupils throughout, with staff helping with activity choices, section requirements, assessor communication and eDofE evidence. The College aims to make DofE as inclusive as possible, discussing individual needs, medical conditions and physical considerations during planning and adjusting where needed.
DofE demands real determination — and rewards pupils with recognised evidence of commitment, service and teamwork valued by universities, training providers and employers.
