Brentwood School offers The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (D of E or Duke of Ed) which is an award for personal achievement that can be obtained by anyone aged from 14 to 25, regardless of personal ability.
There are currently 90 pupils involved in the Bronze Award, 60 taking Silver and 40 working towards the Gold Award.
Brentwood School pupils from the Third Form onwards can complete the three levels of the Award: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Participants must demonstrate achievement through various school activities and trips in four sections:
1. Service: helping the community (for example, working with a charity)
2. Skills: a hobby, skill or interest (for example, showing progress with a musical instrument)
3. Physical recreation: sports, dance, or fitness
4. Expeditions: can be by foot, bicycle, horseback, or water
The expedition can be taken almost anywhere in the countryside, for example, in the UK or abroad. The expedition must be planned and prepared and the expedition party is expected to be self-sufficient and have an aim, such as a nature project.
Participants aiming for the Gold Award must also take part in one additional fifth section, a residential project. The residential project must be 5 days and 4 nights away from home with unfamiliar people to achieve some form of purposeful enterprise.
Time Frame
The Bronze Award takes a minimum of six months to complete, with the participant having to complete three months work in two of the three main sections (service, skills, and physical recreation) and six months in the third. The expedition is an overnight trip for 2 days.
At Silver Award level, participants must complete six months of in the service section. Of the skills and physical recreation sections, one must be undertaken for six months and the other for three months. Participants who have not completed the Bronze Award must add an extra six months in either the service section or in the longer of the skill and physical recreation sections. The expedition lasts for three consecutive days, including the two nights between them.
At Gold Award level, participants must complete twelve months in the service section. Of the skills and physical recreation sections, one must be undertaken for twelve months and the other for six months. Participants who have not completed the Silver Award or the Bronze Award must add an extra six months in either the service section or in the longer of the skill and physical recreation sections. The expedition at this level lasts for four days and three nights. In addition, to the usual four activities, participants at Gold Award level must undertake a residential activity for five days away from home.
