Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme at St Mary's

We are pleased to announce that St Mary’s Catholic High School has been officially reaccredited to run the Duke of Edinburgh’s (DoE) Award Scheme. For many years, our pupils completed their DoE awards through the school. More recently, students have participated via external organisations such as the Scouts, Guides, and Police Cadets. We are now excited to bring the scheme back into the heart of our school community, fully integrated into our co-curricular curriculum.

Founded in 1954, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is open to young people aged 14 to 24. Participants can earn Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards by completing four key sections: Volunteering, Physical, Skills, and Expedition. Each level builds in complexity, encouraging personal growth and resilience at every stage.

The scheme is widely recognised for developing essential life skills, fostering independence, and building confidence. It also holds high value among employers and universities, making it a powerful asset for future pathways in both further and higher education.

At St Mary’s, the DoE Award Scheme aligns closely with our core values of WELCOME, HARD WORK, and SERVICE. It’s clear that our students are embracing the opportunity. Raverick, a Year 9 participant who has already begun the Skills and Physical sections, shares: “Without the DoE scheme I probably wouldn’t be getting involved in so many activities. It’s proved to be a real motivation for me.” Fellow Year 9 student Feranmi adds: “It makes you think about others. We are thinking about what we will do for the volunteering section. It shows that service can be personally rewarding and fun.”

We are proud to reintroduce this prestigious and transformative programme to our students and look forward to seeing them thrive as they rise to new challenges and serve their communities with enthusiasm.