Duke of Edinburgh award (DoE)

The Duke of Edinburgh award scheme challenges young people aged 14 to 25 throughout the world to serve others, acquire new skills, experience adventure and make new friends. Each award should add purpose and pleasure to a young person's life. Their achievements are widely recognised in education and employment. Students may enter at bronze, silver and gold levels, usually in the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Forms respectively. As well as the time devoted to the scheme in the curriculum, participants must also complete many elements in their own time. Commitment is vital.

Around 250 Oakham pupils are participating in the scheme at any time and the completion rate is very high. We have a large number of qualified and experienced staff and volunteers to help students meet their goals.

The award is split into four sections, each of which participants must satisfactorily complete. The sections are:

1. Service - participants choose from commitments such as: first aid, child care, conservation, life saving, award leadership, community sports leadership award, and fundraising.
2. Expeditions, exploration and other adventurous project - participants plan, train for and then undertake a journey in the countryside. At Oakham, this may be on foot or bicycle. The qualifying expedition is undertaken in small teams, normally unaccompanied, though supervised and assessed by adults. Each year, one of the gold assessments takes place at Lochinver, North West Scotland, a remote and beautiful area. Recently we took a group of 25 gold participants to Hawaii where they undertook scientific surveys on flora and fauna as well as the usual expedition skills.
3. Skills - participants can choose from many leisure time activities. They must show progress and perseverance.
4. Physical recreation - again, the award is based on individual improvement and achievement.
5. At gold level there is a fifth element, a residential project where participants undertake a 5-day shared activity in a residential setting away from home.

Assessors

Many OO's, parents and friends of the School have contributed to the success of the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme by donating their time and expertise to train participants and assess expeditions. If you are in outdoor practice or hold an outdoor qualification, such as MLC, and would like to become involved, please contact our award officer, Steve Gorman.

Cycling

Students who choose cycling as their expedition option do not have to be expert cyclists, though they may just be spurred on to attempt the "Tour de France" one day! Whatever their level, students must be prepared to cycle regularly, both in term-time and during the holidays to build stamina and gain experience, and we would ask parents to encourage this particular activity whenever possible. Most of all, they should enjoy cycling in rural surroundings and hopefully develop a pursuit for life.

There is a full training programme throughout the school year. One week the students may be out cycling locally, another week they may be learning map reading and route planning, or maintaining and repairing their cycles. Rutland County Council road safety department provide instruction and examination for highway code and road safety knowledge.

Bronze

The winter and spring term training weekends are spent cycling and camping in rural areas of Rutland or Norfolk. The qualifying expeditions travel to Shropshire.

Silver & Gold

The winter and spring term training weekends are spent cycling and camping in rural areas of in the Lake District, Peak District, York Moors or Mid Wales. The qualifying expeditions traverse Northern England or Wales.