Year 10 students have the opportunity to participate in the Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) and on Friday 17th October there is an information session about the award during registration.
The DofE is non-competitive and open to all young people; it’s about setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries.
There are three levels of DofE programme which, when successfully completed, can lead to a Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award levels.
DofE instils confidence, resilience, resourcefulness, readiness and responsibility. Employers favour those with DofE experience because it challenges students to problem-solve, work as a team, and have self-motivation. The award is recognised internationally by employers and educational institutions.
Silver Award students engage in extending their knowledge in taking up a new skill, a new physical activity, volunteering and by undertaking an expedition. Once students have chosen their activities, GMS leaders provide guidance and support.
It is entirely possible for students, who have not completed the Bronze Award, to participate in the Silver. To succeed, participants have to spend more time completing two of the three following skills: volunteering, skill or physical.
Details about DofE can be found on the school website, or at www.dofe.org
The Expedition has training and practice days, followed by the qualifying expedition. Students work in small teams, they plan a route, cook, and undertake campcraft skills for overnight stays: training is three nights for practice/training days; two nights for the qualifying expedition.
Throughout, students receive a significant amount of guidance from highly qualified GMS staff and Action Adventure Pursuits, an experienced expedition company. To succeed, through, students must demonstrate independence and self-sufficiency.
Currently, the proposed plan for the expedition is canoeing (walking is also an option) and the dates proposed are:
- Training and Practice weekend: 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th June 2026 (3 days and overnight camping)
- Qualifying expedition: 3rd, 4th, 5th July 2026 (2 days and overnight camping)
A registration payment of £30.50 and completed MS form is required before 7th November 2025, payable via WisePay. Registration opens on Monday 20th October, which allows a full weekend for students and parents to consider the opportunity following the information session during registration.
The cost for the Action Adventure Pursuits canoeing expedition package is £660. This includes food for both weekends, the hire and use of specialist camping and navigation equipment and the boating equipment.
We aim for the programme to be inclusive of all students, as far as is possible, regardless of need, so please contact the school for advice.
We thank the staff who facilitate Duke of Edinburgh Award at GMS for their dedicated commitment, which takes place outside the hours of the school day.
If GMS students do not want to use our Training / Practice / Qualifying Expedition dates, they can use the ‘Opportunity Finder’ on the DofE website to find an Approved Activity Provider (AAP) offering an expedition package which suits them.
We thank the staff who facilitate Duke of Edinburgh Award at GMS for their dedicated commitment, which takes place outside the hours of the school day.
