The Duke of Edinburgh Award is an internationally recognised award, which encourages initiative, self-reliance and teamwork in a non-competitive environment.  There are Bronze, Silver and Gold levels and those participants who complete their Gold Award visit Buckingham Palace to receive their certificate. 

There is an opportunity for pupils in Year 10 to begin to participate in the Bronze level of the Award.   

Year 10 pupils can expect to gain their Bronze Award by taking part in varied activities, both at school and at home.  There are four sections to the Award, as explained in the leaflet “Award at a Glance” distributed to each pupil.   Each participant chooses what they wish to do in the following sections over a period of six months:

• Service:  Pupils take part in some form of training then show a regular commitment.  Pupils at WHGS often use their CCF activity as ‘service’ although others arrange to help in the Primary Phase or Nursery or other forms of help to the community.
• Skills: Here is an opportunity to improve any interest you already have or to start a new one.  It can include art, music and drama outside lessons at WHGS.
• Physical Recreation: Many pupils who take part in sport at WHGS can develop their fitness and talent with regular attendance at practices.  Other pupils often develop their interest in non-team sports.
• Expendition: This section is organised by WHGS and groups of pupils train to carry out an overnight expedition and walk of 25 kilometres (15 miles) carrying personal and camping equipment. Regular training takes place in lunchtimes in the autumn and spring terms. All camping equipment is provided by the school.  

In Years 11, 12 and 13 students can continue from the Bronze Award on to Silver and Gold Award level.  Not only does this offer our students a valuable opportunity to develop their skills of leadership and self-reliance outside the classroom, but it also offers students a very useful extra dimension to their experiences when applying for university places, and when applying for employment.

Volunteering Hours Certificate - 2019/2020