Overall responsibility for the Award lies with the co-ordinator Miss Dicker, with support from Mr Davies and a strong team of expedition volunteers within the School. 

Here at Thamesmead the Award is offered to students in Years 10 & 11.  Pupils enrol for the Bronze Award in Year 10, and Silver (for those who have successfully completed Bronze) in Year 11.  At each level pupils are expected to complete a series of practical and adventurous challenges and it is up to each individual to organise and complete each one in turn.  These include learning a skill, doing something physical, volunteering in some way and completing a practice and assessment expedition in the Surrey Hills.  

All students in Year 10 are welcome to apply (in October of Yr 10) for the Bronze Award and further details will be made available via Student Notices and the School Newsletter.  Due to the popularity of the scheme it has become necessary to introduce an application process.  This allows all students a fair and equal chance of partaking in the award which is not to be entered into lightly.  Students will be considered on the basis of their application, however it should be noted that students whose behaviour has previously caused concern may not be considered for the scheme.  The school also holds a good stock of equipment which can be borrowed by participants to ensure the opportunity is available to all and to keep costs to a minimum.

Training sessions will run in the Spring Term for successful applicants and will include aspects such as route planning, camp craft, navigation and first aid.  Practice expeditions will also be scheduled to take place in the Surrey Hills around Box Hill and Dorking at various weekends in April, May and June.   In order to accommodate Year 11 GCSE exams, the final Silver Award expedition will take place after the last exam and prom.

For more details on the award please go to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award website - http://www.dofe.org/.

Current participants can use the following link to access eDofE and update their progress - https://www.edofe.org/Profile/LogUser.aspx.