Duke of Edinburgh
Habs Boys is licensed to deliver the Duke of Edinburgh programme.
Since the programme began in 1956, over six million young people have benefited from a Duke of Edinburgh experience.
We help young people build life-long belief in themselves, supporting them to take on their own challenges, follow their passions and discover talents they never knew they had. Because when you prove to yourself that you’re ready for anything, nothing can hold you back.
What are the Duke of Edinburgh awards?
The programme is open to young people aged 14-24, allowing them to pursue a Duke of Edinburgh Award at Bronze, Silver or Gold level. All our Year 9 students take part in the Bronze award, with the option to continue to Silver and Gold through a range of expeditions. For example, in the Chilterns or Brecon Beacons.
The Duke of Edinburgh award is not a competition, or about coming first. Instead, it sets personal challenges and pushes personal boundaries. At every level, students challenge themselves to:
- Help the community and environment
- Become fitter
- Develop new skills
- Plan, train for and complete an expedition
- Work with a team on a residential activity (Gold only)
Students can begin at any level, even Gold. Yet most prefer to start at Bronze and work upwards. Of course, if a student prefers not to progress further, they can always stick with Bronze or Silver.
What are the benefits of doing Duke of Edinburgh?
Every year, over 200 Habs students take part in Duke of Edinburgh. Just a few of the hundreds of thousands of young people involved across the UK. So why do they do it?
- Duke of Edinburgh pushes boundaries
- They have a lot of fun
- It is a chance to make new friends
- It makes a difference to other people’s lives
- Communities benefit
- It helps them to get fitter
- Memories are made that last a lifetime
- It is also great for CVs and university or job applications
What skills are developed?
By taking part in a Duke of Edinburgh award programme, students develop lifelong skills which will help them in school, university and their work-life. Not to mention in their social life and relationships. For example, they will:
- Improve their self-esteem
- Build their confidence
- Develop their resilience
- Enhance their problem-solving skills
Duke of Edinburgh awards can also offer an edge when applying for college, university or a job. Universities and employers want to see evidence of ‘soft skills’, such as communication, commitment, leadership and teamwork, all developed through co-curricular activities.
In fact, Duke of Edinburgh can be positively life-changing, helping students develop along the path to a productive and prosperous future.
How long do the awards take?
| Bronze | Silver | Gold | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volunteering section | 3 months | 6 months | 12 months |
| Physical section | 3 months | One for 6 months and one for 3 months | One for 12 months and one for 6 months* |
| Skills section | 3 months | One for 6 months and one for 3 months | One for 12 months and one for 6 months* |
| Expedition section | 2 days/1 night | 3 days/2 nights | 4 days/3 nights |
| Plus | Another 3 months on one of the Volunteering, Physical or Skills sections (your choice of which) | If you didn’t do Bronze, you must so 6 more months of either Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections | A residential section – a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for 5 days and 4 nights |
* At Gold level:
- Students will need to be on the programme for at least 12 months if they have already achieved the Silver Award
- They will need to do the programme for at least 18 months if they have started at Gold level without completing Silver, even if they have already achieved Bronze. They must also complete an extra six months in either the Volunteering, or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections.
More about Duke of Edinburgh
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a registered charity. To learn more about the Duke of Edinburgh awards, please visit their website.
