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Duke of Edinburgh

Penair School Duke of Edinburgh Award 

Penair School has been providing the D of E award to students at both Bronze and Silver level since 1992.  At these levels there are four areas which need to be fulfilled. They are: – 

Volunteering (formally known as Service) 

Includes undertaking a service to either individuals or the community.  It cannot be for a business or a family member but can be for a charity or not-for-profit organisation. Some examples are raising money for charity, helping in an after-school club for disabled, working in a charity shop or being an active member of a youth council. 

Physical 

Improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness activity.  Examples are: playing football for a local team such as Truro City Juniors or Truro Rugby Club Juniors, joining a sports club for athletics, if already a member of a karate club improving and gaining the next belt. 

Skills 

This means the development of practical and social skills or other personal interests. For example, taking music lessons and gaining a grade or gaining a higher grade. 

Expedition 

At Bronze level it requires attendees to plan, train for and complete a 2-day 1-night expedition. At Silver level; it requires attendees to plan, train for and complete a 3-day 2-night expedition.  Penair has undertaken Bronze expeditions in west Penwith and over part of the Saintes Way between Padstow and Prideaux Woods.  Siler expeditions have included the whole of the Saintes Way, routes through both north and south parts of Bodmin Moor.  We have also undertaken a number of Cycle based expeditions. 

Guiding Principle 

The guiding principle of the D of E Award is that attendees should strive to complete the Award through personal development and the assessment of activities. 

  • It should be non-competitive – a D of E programme is a personal challenge and not a competition against others. 
  • Achievable by all – the D of E award is achievable by any young person who chooses to take up the challenge.  This is regardless of ability, gender, background or location. 
  • Voluntary – While D of E programmes are offered in school it is all undertaken as an extra-curricular activity.  Young people who choose to undertake a D of E programme do so in their own time. 
  • Personal Development – the D of E programme inspires personal and social development. 
  • Personalised – Young people design their own programme which can be tailored to suit their personal circumstance.  They can take as long as they wish (within the age limits) 
  • Balanced – The aim is to ensure that participants experience development of the whole person, mind, body and soul. 
  • Progressive – at each level of engagement the D of E programme requires more time and commitment and responsibility from the participant. 
  • Achievement focussed – Young people are encouraged to set their own challenging goals. 
  • Commitment – The D of E programme requires persistence and commitment and cannot be completed with just a short burst of enthusiasm.  Often Penair students continue with some activities even after they have left school. 
  • Enjoyable - the young people are encouraged to enjoy the activities they undertake 
  • Safety – all activities are undertaken in a safe environment.  On expeditions they are directly supervised during the training and practice sessions/expeditions and remotely supervised on the assessment expeditions. All students are required to undertake some first aid training.