Parents’ Information Evening

Gold section

An introduction to Gold

Mr Davis

www.dofe.org

e D of E• New development nationally.• Use ICT to keep track of your progress

anytime. Log personal details online.• ‘Keeping Track’ booklet is part of the CD

size pack you receive.• Lots of help and support anytime.• Please check that students keep it

updated.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award5 Sections at Gold• Volunteering – 12 months• Skill – 6 or 12 months• Physical – 6 or 12 months• Expedition• Residential• One section of Physical or Skill must be 12

months • One section of either Volunteering, Skill or

Physical must be 18 months if direct gold

Volunteering Section• 1 year from October

of Year 12• D of E leadership• Community service• Charford reading

scheme• Coaching, teaching

and leadership• Working with the

environment or animals (unpaid)

Skill Section

• 6/12/18 months from October of Year 12

• Chess, music, choir, sign language, school play, learning to drive

Physical Section• Twice a week

minimum for 6/12/18 months.

• School sports club.• Any outside sports

club.• Active lunchtimes

runs all year, every day.

• Gym membership.

Residential Section• 5 days away from home

working and living in a group situation with no more than one other person you know

• Minimum group size 7• Working with children,

building pathways, dry stone walls, steam railway, activity centres etc.

• Cost can be less than £50• Year 12 Easter/Summer

Holiday time

Check web sitefor ideas

www.dofe.orgYou must gain prior approval for your

residential.

The Gold Expedition

Mr Dixon

Expedition Section Requirements

• 4 days walking• 3 nights

camping• Minimum 8

hours of activity per day

• Self sufficient• At least one hot

meal per day• Wild country

Safety• First aid and safety training for students• Every group has a first aid kit• Route planning covers emergency routes• Students have 24 hour emergency

telephone access to supervisors and base camp

Supervision• Practice Gold (Y12) – member of staff walks

with group for first two days, then remote supervises for days 3 and 4

• Qualifying Gold (Y13) – remote supervision by staff and assessors

• Qualified first aiders• Extensive experience of local area• BELA, WGL or ML qualified• An introduction to the Gold staff team

Equipment choices

Nutritional planning

Food Requirements• Must consume

approximately 4,500 calories per day

• Good breakfast• Minimum of 1 hot meal

per day• Grazing - lots of high

energy snacks• Lots of water• Self sufficient for the

whole expedition

Suitable Foods• Lightweight• Long shelf-life• Suitable for

potentially warm storage

• Nothing that is usually stored or sold in a fridge

• High in energy• Satisfying physically and mentally

Importance of eating together

• Boosts Morale• Camaraderie• Encouragement• Monitoring each other

The expedition training programme

Mr Dixon

Monday nights• Start after AS exam study leave in January• Route planning on eDofE• Attendance is compulsory and is closely

monitored• Strict deadlines

What do students gain from the Gold award?

What now?• Take away the information sheets (also

available on the website)• Sign the contract and return it to Mrs Brazil

on the IT/DofE helpdesk as soon as possible

Thanks to…• Mr Davis• Mr Hill• Mrs Brazil• Mrs Grogan

• …and to you all for supporting your sons and daughters as they begin working for their Gold award.