The Duke of Edinburgh Award is an excellent programme,encouraging students to diversify their interests and abilities, as well as building life-skills such as team work and leadership. Students who have undertaken the programme have found it an enriching and highly enjoyable experience.

The award comprises of four sections at Bronze and Silver level: volunteering, physical, skill and expedition. At Gold level participants must also participate in a residential project. Sections are undertaken for varying amounts of time, depending upon participant preference and award level.

Students are prepared for the expedition in a weekly after school meeting, and supported in choosing their additional activities. Bronze training begins in Year 9; as well as sessions on camp craft and first aid, students undertake a day walk around Pleshey and a practice expedition in Danbury, before their assessed venture in Gosfield. Silver training begins in Year 10; this includes revisiting skills taught at Bronze level and a practice expedition to Thetford Forest, before their assessed venture in the New Forest. The school does not have the facility to train students for the Gold award but, in the true spirit of D of E, many students have gone on to achieve this level independently.

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