Social enterprise &
service to communities
Our project-based Citizenship curriculum teaches young people critical life-long skills such as collaboration, resourcefulness and accountability. Pupils take on increasingly responsible leadership roles that culminate in Leadership and Social Enterprise Projects in which they identify a community concern, and then plan, execute and evaluate a project to address it. Through these projects, our pupils:
- Successfully manage challenging projects, from articulating a vision to project realisation
- Anticipate and manage risks through strategic communication
- Understand the role of advocacy
- Manage stressful situations and negotiate with confidence
- Build networks across multiple communities and stakeholders
- Create and manage budgets that align to strategy
- Lead and manage people
- See change through a new lens
Young entrepreneurs
Our Young Entrepreneurs initiative empowers pupils to develop their business and entrepreneurial skills. Pupils learn about what it takes to succeed in the business world, the importance of managing their finances responsibly, and the skills that employers are looking for. Pupils are given the opportunity to work together to develop and implement their own small business plan, making a variety of strategic and operational decisions to ensure their company’s success.
The Young Entrepreneurs programme enhances pupils’ employability and makes the world of business more accessible and relevant to them. By developing their problem-solving skills, using their initiative, learning about budgets and financing, and working as part of a team, our pupils develop vital leadership characteristics that prepare them for the next stage of their education, employment or training.
Duke of Edinburgh award
Welcome to the Laisterdyke Leadership Academy Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme pages. As part of the Leadership programme within the Academy, we offer pupils the opportunity to participate in this Award. Every year across the country and world-wide, young people from the ages of 13 upwards participate in the Award.
What is the DofE?
A life-changing experience. A fun time with friends. An opportunity to discover new interests and talents. A tool to develop essential skills for life and work. A recognised mark of achievement; respected by employers.
The DofE is many things to many people, supporting generations to successfully navigate adult life.
13-24 year-olds can do a DofE programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, leads to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold. They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition and, for Gold only, working with a team on a residential activity.
Any young person can do their DofE – regardless of ability, gender, background or location. Achieving an Award isn’t a competition or about being first. It’s all about setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries.
Through a DofE programme young people have fun, make friends, improve their self-esteem and build confidence. They gain essential skills and attributes for work and life such as resilience, problem-solving, team-working, communication and drive, enhancing CVs and university and job applications.
Top employers recognise the work-ready skills Award holders bring to their business.
The DofE licenses organisations that work with young people to run DofE programmes, such as schools, colleges, youth groups and clubs. Through the Licensed Organisation (LO) young people (or their parents / carers) pay for a Participation Place and are supported by Leaders who support them through their programmes, helping them to choose their activities, set their objectives and achieve their Award.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a registered charity, funded by donations, Participation Places and licences. The charity works with LOs across the UK to increase opportunities for young people to gain the benefits of doing their DofE.
Why do the DofE?
For the hundreds of thousands of young people who take part each year, the benefits of achieving a DofE Award at any level are endless. DofE is about helping you along the path to a productive and prosperous future. As many of our participants say, it’s life-changing.
Achieving an Award will give you skills, confidence and an edge over others when you apply for college, university or a job. Beyond your academic achievements, universities want to see evidence of so called ‘soft skills’ that you have developed through extra-curricular activities, such as communication, commitment, leadership and teamwork. Your DofE Award is a fantastic way to demonstrate and evidence these skills in practice.
You’ll also make a difference to other people’s lives and your community, be fitter and healthier, make new friends and have memories to last you a lifetime.
Our participants also tell us that doing their DofE gives them character traits like confidence and resilience, that can boost their mental health and wellbeing and help them face and overcome personal challenges.
How much will it cost?
The DofE endeavours to keep your costs down so the current Welcome Pack, which includes the participation fee, is £25.50 for the Bronze. This is a one-off cost and when your child completes the Award, they are refunded this cost. Payment is made through ParentPay.
Everyone receives a DofE Card to get discounts on things like kit and expeditions don’t need to be expensive.
How do I enrol?
This is simple, speak with your DofE staff within the Academy or download a Participant Enrolment Form.
What happens once you sign up?
Your DofE Leader will email you a link to your eDofE account. This is where you log your progress through your DofE programme and where your Leader checks and approves you’ve completed your activity in each section.
Once you’ve added your home address to your eDofE profile you’ll be sent a Welcome Pack with lots of helpful information and your personalised DofE Card so you can access discounts and offers on expedition kit and other items. If you’re in Northern Ireland, the secure estate, or have an overseas home address, your Leader will give you your Welcome Pack. If your pack doesn’t arrive, you can download the contents here.
Now, you can start choosing what activities you want to do and decide your goals – although you don’t have to wait until you get your Welcome Pack before you start planning your programme.
Once you’ve chosen your Assessors and your Leader has approved your plans, you’re ready to get going with your activities.
How long does the Award take to complete?
There are three levels of programme you can do which, when you’ve successfully completed them, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The main differences between them are the minimum length of time it takes to complete them, how challenging it is and the minimum age you can start.
Sectional activities need to average an hour a week, with the first and last activities being the full section duration apart. At Bronze level, it is typical for activities to be weekly. For longer sections at Silver and Gold (potentially at Bronze, depending on the activity), it can help for the activity to be longer (in terms of hours per session) but less often. This can be particularly good for the Volunteering section to allow participants to take on more interesting, challenging and responsible activities. For example, in a Gold programme lasting 12 or 18 months, a participant could do one longer session (e.g., 6 hours) of volunteering per month. Please note that activity cannot be condensed to less than one session per month.
For each section, you should set a challenging but achievable goal and be able to demonstrate development and regular progress towards this goal. All activities must be completed before your 25th birthday.
Depending on your age, you are free to start at any level, but most people prefer to start at Bronze and work upwards.
Bronze Timescales
It will usually take you at least 6 months to complete your Bronze programme.
– Volunteering section: 3 months
– Physical section: 3 months
– Skills section: 3 months
– Expedition section: 2 days/1 night
You also have to spend an extra three months on one of the Volunteering, Physical or Skills sections. It’s your choice which one and, though you can change your mind later, you should decide which section you want to do for longer at the beginning. Knowing how long you’re going to do it for will help you to choose your activity and set your goals for each section.
What happens once you complete your Award?
When you complete your Award, you receive a Bronze Certificate and Badge. These will be awarded during an assembly where some participants will speak about their experiences and the skills they gained during the Award. Groups will present on their Expedition and all participants who have completed the Award will have their fee returned.
How do I find out more about the Award?
The DofE website has all the information you require to know for the Award. There is a good section on information for Parents/Carers which will give you insights of the benefits and skills they have brought to millions of people during more than 60 years of young people’s participation.