YEAR 9 COMPLETE THEIR DUKE OF EDINBURGH BRONZE AWARD EXPEDITION!
We are so proud of our group of pioneering Year 9s who celebrated completing Hoe Bridge School's first-ever Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Expedition with a highly successful trip. All our pupils showed incredible resilience, character, problem-solving, and, most importantly, teamwork to overcome the challenges. They now continue working towards the completion of the full Bronze Award by completing the remaining requirements in the other key areas.
Duke of Edinburgh at Hoe Bridge School
All Hoe Bridge Year 9 pupils are invited to take part in the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), a nationally recognised programme designed to build confidence, resilience and independence. Through a series of challenges across four key areas—Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition—pupils are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones and discover new strengths.
Highly respected by colleges, universities and employers, the DofE Award demonstrates a young person’s commitment, teamwork and willingness to take initiative. It nurtures responsibility, perseverance and a readiness to try new things. The expedition element, in particular, offers pupils the chance to plan and complete an outdoor adventure as a team, developing valuable life skills while fostering a love of the outdoors.
To support the Volunteering section, pupils will be offered a range of meaningful ‘in‑house’ opportunities within school. Each pupil will take on a regular role, averaging at least an hour a week for either three or six months depending on the activity they choose.
What Is the DofE Award?
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a globally recognised youth development programme founded in 1956 by Prince Philip. Now active in over 130 countries, it empowers millions of young people to challenge themselves, build new skills and make a positive impact within their communities.
The Four Core Sections
- Volunteering – Making a difference through community service
- Physical – Improving fitness through sport or exercise
- Skills – Developing a new talent or personal interest
- Expedition – Planning and completing a team journey in the outdoors
Pupils must complete three months of activity in each of the Volunteering, Physical and Skills sections, plus an additional three months in one chosen area. The Award has three progressive levels:
- Bronze – Year 9
- Silver – Year 10 (optional)
- Gold – typically Years 12–13
How Long Does Bronze Take?
The Bronze Award takes a minimum of six months to complete. Pupils should expect to spend around three hours each week on their chosen activities. Within school, dedicated DofE sessions will take place fortnightly during Tuesday prep, with additionaldrop‑in sessions and assemblies to provide guidance. As a community, we are expanding the range of opportunities available so that pupils can complete the Volunteering, Skills and Physical sections on site if they wish.
Expeditions
The Bronze expeditions will be run by Hoe Bridge staff in partnership with Hepworth Adventures (www.hepworthadventures.co.uk), an official DofE Approved Activity Provider with extensive experience delivering high‑quality expeditions.
