GREAT EXPECTATIONS T
In October 2015 we began a trial to slightly vary the date at which participants could start their Bronze programme. Dean Jefferys provides an update on how this has been going in the field.
his increased flexibility now means that young people can begin their DofE programme in the school year in which they turn 14, thus allowing peer groups to work on an Award programme together.
This flexibility has now also been extended to the Silver Award, with young people able to begin in the school year in which they turn 15.
A year into this trial and the results have been tremendous! The number of young people enrolled at age 13 has shot up from 24,336 in the period October 2015 to February 2016, to 37,189 in the same period this academic year. That’s an increase of 52.8%! The number enrolling at age 14 for Silver has also increased dramatically, with a rise of 6,478 compared to the same period last year. The trial seems to be positive and valued by Licensed Organisations (LOs).
Points to ponder
So how do these changes impact upon an LO and, if you are a new DofE Leader or, indeed if you are just facing a higher level of interest from young people, what do you need to consider?
Before you even begin recruiting young people it’s important to think about capacity. What additional staffing, equipment and resources might you need depending on the numbers who sign up? Some LOs have had such a fantastic response that they have used the services of an Expedition AAP to help them to deliver this section, thus allowing more young people to take part without greatly increasing the time and effort of LO staff.
Greater numbers of young people taking part is tremendous, but plan ahead so that you can support
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Students from Stroud High School enjoying a rafting trip in Spain.
Issue 27: SUMMER 2017 DofE Magazine
a larger influx. Do you, for example, need to purchase more equipment for the young people to be able to borrow? Could you perhaps buddy up with another LO to share equipment so that rather than having a large supply of kit that is only used a couple of times a year you have shared resources which can be used by different LOs at different times? Fundraising or grant applications may also be worthy of consideration so that everyone can take part.
Dan Blundred, DofE Manager at Sandon Meridian Academy in Stoke-on-Trent told us that their focus in moving Bronze into Year 9 had been linked to making Year 9 more worthwhile. “It’s helped to give Year 9 a purpose. This change has put DofE in the public domain and has had a fantastic impact on the cohort.”
Impact studies of the students taking part in a Bronze programme have shown a positive effect on academic progress in the core subjects (compared to their peers) and a reduction in behaviour referrals. Some of the more challenging school pupils have been noted as being outstanding undertaking DofE and have now progressed onto Silver as a result.
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