Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme – Levels

The Aim of the Award
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award aims to provide for young people an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding programme of personal development, which is of the highest quality and the widest reach.

Key principles
It is essential for everyone involved in the Award, whether as a participant or leader, to share a common understanding of the principles which underpin all aspects of the Scheme’s delivery. We have endeavoured to summarise these key principles below and by clicking on the relevant links opposite, details of the requirements for the various award levels can be found.

The key principles are:

• Non-competitive
  The Award is a personal challenge and not a competition against others. Each participant’s programme is tailor-made to reflect their individual starting point, abilities and interests.
• Available to all
  With a commitment to equal opportunities, the Award Programme is available to all young people who choose to take up its challenge.
• Voluntary
  Young people make a free choice to enter the programme and commit their own time to undertake the activities.
• Flexible
  Young people design their own programme, which can be geared to their own choice and personal circumstances and also to local provision. They may enter for whichever level of Award best suits them and may take as long as they wish to complete an Award.
• Balanced
  By choosing activities in each of four different Sections (five at Gold), participants undertake a balanced and wide ranging programme.
• Progressive
  At each level, the Award Programme demands more time and an increasing degree of commitment, and responsibility from the participant.
• Achievement focused
  Before starting an activity, young people are encouraged to set their own goals. If they aim for those goals and show improvement, they will achieve their Award.
• Marathon, not a sprint
  The Award demands persistence and commitment and cannot be completed in a short burst of enthusiasm. Participants may want to continue with activities beyond the minimum time requirements set out for each level of the Award.
• Personal development
  The Award is a programme of personal and social development. The value to young people is dependent on personal commitment, the learning process and the quality of the experience.
• Enjoyable
  Young people and helpers should find participation enjoyable and satisfying.