JP/JDM

July 2019

Dear Parent/Carer,

For the first time in the school’s history we are able to offer young people in Year 11 (who have completed their Bronze Award by September 2019), the opportunity to participate in the highly respected Silver DofE Award.

The Hayling College has recently become a Directly Licensed Centre (instead of sharing Hampshire’s license) and are presently restructuring to accommodate larger numbers and provide extra training to staff. Although we would have liked to offer Silver DofE as an option in Year 10, this has not logistically been possible until now. However, we are presently looking at providing a date for assessment that is convenient to pupils taking their GCSEs and will not interfere with their exam preparation. Either the Easter Holidays or a date in July, after GCSEs have been completed.

As you already know, young people doing their DofE programme complete four different types of activity. The timescale for Silver looks like this:

As you can see, participants will undertake two expeditions of 3 days and 2 nights: a Practice Expedition on October 4th, 5th and 6th and a Qualifying Expedition which will be assessed by a DofE Accredited Expedition Assessor, date tbc.

During these expeditions, candidates walk for 3 days and camp for 2 nights (there will be limited walking on day 1 of the practice as it will start in the late afternoon to avoid missing lessons). As always, candidates will carry all their equipment whilst walking and will be assessed on their ability to plan a route, navigate, work as a team, cook and look after themselves at camp.

Our AAP (Approved Activity Provider), Ridgeline Adventures, will provide tents, trangia cooking stoves, fuel, compasses, maps and first aid kits as well as sourcing and covering campsite fees, insurance, assessor’s fees and the DofE enrolment fee of £27. However, we hope to provide staff leaders for every group. Hidden costs will involve the purchase of walking boots, a rucksack and other kit for the expedition, though hopefully you will already have suitable kit after Bronze DofE. A full kit list will once again be provided on Google Classroom, which candidates should monitor regularly.

The £220 fee (usually a minimum of £265 and as high as £385 at some schools) can be paid in one lump sum or in instalments, but must reach the full balance by Thursday 3rd October 2019. When paying in instalments please write your child’s name clearly on an envelope stating DofE and give it in to finance office. You need to return the attached slip and medical form, preferably by Monday 9th September 2019, complete with a £10 deposit. Please let me know if you need the Summer holiday to think about your participation so I have a loose idea of numbers.

Thank you very much for your support and I hope your child is able to take part in the very first Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award at the Hayling College.

Yours sincerely

Mr J PomfretDofE Manager

Authorised by Headteacher ………………..