Co-Curricular: Introduction

The Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) at Whitgift School is designed to teach and foster the skills of teamwork, leadership, independence and organisation. Highly regarded by admissions tutors and employers alike, the scheme is available to boys in Year 9 and above.

Encompassing the required elements of volunteering, physical and skills, boys are required to participate for an average of 1 hour per week in their chosen activities. For many boys, this is simply gaining credit for things that they already do. The boys are expected to organise themselves independently of parental involvement and in doing so, develop key skills that will serve them well in the future.

Expeditions are fantastic opportunities for boys to put into practice the skills that they have acquired and to learn to be self-sufficient in rural and often wild environments. Boys progress from local expeditions during their Bronze award through to an international trip during their Gold. It is a requirement of the award that boys plan and complete the qualifying expedition independently. It is this sense of ownership that brings out the best in the boys and the element of DofE that they often find the most rewarding. 

The Duke of Edinburgh Award has gone from strength to strength over recent years at Whitgift School and with over 200 boys enrolled at different stages of the award, it is a thriving aspect of the School community.