Wider Opportunities
We aim to make sure all students are involved in some level of extra-curricular activity and feel we have a superb programme to showcase the talents of students. Though the below are our current plans, we also want to hear from students about any additional opportunities they would like to see.
**Please Note**
Our extra-curricular plans may be subject to change over the course of the year. If clubs have to be cancelled, we will provide as much notice as possible via phone call or text message through Edulink.
Our current after school and lunch time club offer is as follows.
Timetable
New for 2023 - Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) was founded in 1956 by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and is renowned as the world’s leading youth achievement award.
Young people will achieve a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award if they show persistence, commitment and personal development over a period of time. Every activity must be successfully completed and assessed. Completing a DofE programme equips young people for life and work, and is recognised by employers and universities alike. Through their DofE journeys young people develop resilience, confidence and a ‘can do’ attitude as well as the social and communication skills that businesses are calling out for. Where it is run DofE programmes are delivered in the UK under licence by over 3,500 partners (Licensed Organisations) who offer it in DofE centres such as youth clubs, voluntary organisations, schools, academies, colleges, universities, young offender institutions, hospitals, homeless shelters and businesses, which are run and supported by around 40,000 adult volunteers.
Anyone aged between 14 and 24 can do a programme at one of the three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. There are four sections at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold.
What activities can be completed to gain the award?
Helping people
Community action and raising awareness
Coaching, teaching and leadership
Working with the environment and animals
Helping a teacher, neighbour, elderly relative, charity or community organisation.
Team and individual sports
Water sports
Racquet sports
Dance
Fitness
Extreme sports and martial arts
Walking to school instead of taking the school minibus/car
Creative and performance arts, music
Care of animals and natural world
Life skill
Learning and collecting
Media and communication
Science and Technology
Learning how to cook at home.
On foot (WBCA will offer this method for students to complete the expedition)
By bicycle
By boat
By canoe or kayak
By wheelchair
On horseback
These are all examples of the type of activities young people can do for each of their sections.
Why do we offer duke of Edinburgh award?
Regardless of their individual circumstances, we want our students to leave school well-equipped with the life skills needed to become well-rounded individuals. We aim to encourage thoughtful students, inspire opinionated voices and develop enquiring minds and challenge them to achieve the awards.
All our programmes are driven by the following ten guiding principles, which are at the heart of everything we do:
- Non-competitive
- Achievable by all
- Voluntary
- Personal development
- Personalised
- Balanced
- Progressive
- Achievement focused
- Demand commitment
- Enjoyable
what levels of the award do we offer?
Currently we are only offering Bronze to Year 9 but we hope in September 2024 to be able to also offer Silver to Year 10.
Year 9 Curriculum – Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award
Students are trained in the following areas for the two Expeditions (1 as a practice and 1 assessed).
- How to put up a tent
- How to cook on a trangia stove
- Know what clothing and equipment is needed
- What food is needed
- Physical preparation ready for the expedition
- Learn navigation techniques
- How to pack a rucksack
- Health and Safety on expedition
How will students be assessed?
At the Bronze and Silver levels students are assessed internally by qualified staff (Miss Lees) and then the Award will be verified by a member of staff at the Academy.
Interested?
To find out more, please contact Miss Lees, Teacher of Geography and DofE Award Lead. We have 30 spaces on the programme for this academic year.
nlees@wbca.shirelandcat.net
