DUKE OF EDINBURGH SCHEME

‍THIRSK SCHOOL DUKE OF EDINBURGH SCHEME

Thirsk School has a long established Duke of Edinburgh Scheme that runs on Wednesday nights from 5:30-7:00pm.  We operate Bronze for Year 10, Silver for Year 11 and Gold for Year 12.  Each year, we start in September and aim to avoid exam impact for students by completing expeditions away from the busiest times.

This nationally recognised Scheme is explained best on their website but a quick summary is below:-

Students are expected to complete each of the following sections:-

Physical

Regularly undertake a physical activity.  This could be membership of a gym, playing football for the school etc.  This should be 1 hour a week.

Skill

Participate and (importantly) develop a skill.  This could be gaining a basic understanding of a skill previously unknown or mastery of something you were already good at.  Chess, stamp collecting, computer programming etc.

Service

Weekly, help the community in some way.  This may be chatting to the elderly at a local care home, working in a charity shop or looking after a neighbour who needs help in some way.

Expedition

For many, the highlight is 2 days (Bronze), 3 days (Silver) or 4 days (Gold) walking in the hills with remote supervision.  The students love the freedom and respond with the maturity you would expect of our youngsters.  It is an amazing experience and the students are trained during the weeks throughout the year to be ready for the assessments.

Residential (Gold only)

Spend 5 days and 4 nights with people you do not know on a project to help the community.  This has been on National Trust weekends, working in residential care for disabled youngsters or, most commonly, with the National Citizenship Service.

This scheme is the cheapest in the county and this is mainly due to the kindness of a team of superb volunteers.  Please get in touch if you would like to join this team to support this scheme.

Expeditions 2025-26

DofE at Thirsk School runs every Wednesday 5.30-7.00pm

‍Half Term 1

27th - 28th September – Silver Practice

Half Term 2

Half Term 3

Half Term 4

27th - 30th  March – Silver Assessment/ Gold Practice

Half Term 5

9th – 10th May – Bronze Practice

‍Half Term 6

5th – 7th June – Bronze Assessment

24th - 28th June – Gold Assessment

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To contact the DofE team please contact Mr Pentland on gordon.pentland@thirskschool.org or Mr Sharp rob.sharp@thirskschool.org

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Annual Welcome Letter

Consent Form

Kit Check Form