I hadn't intended to come up back on here as we just seem to be going round in circles but there is something that is bothering me.
Firstly someone is saying that the school are more or less shoehorns the children in to doing an activity. I don't understand why some parents are allowing this. You are paying a fortune. The award is about what your child wants to do and has the right to say 'actually, I don't want to play rugby, lacrosse, cricket whatever as my physical I want to be able to play hockey. This is how I am going to plan it.
As a parent have you not found out what it is about and what they can do. Even the expedition shouldn't be pre arranged by the school. The young people are supposed to submit a route that meets the criteria for the award. It states how long the journey should last each day. The young people should have a plan about the purpose of the exped and then do a presentation afterwards. This is what they set out to learn whether it is about different trees in an area, local geology, whatever. It is not about walking for 6 miles or what ever, it is supposed to have an aim. If not, you should be questioning why?
exped info www.dofe.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/programme_ideas_-_expedition.pdf
Here are some volunteering ideas
vwww.dofe.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/programme_ideas_-_volunteering.pdfolunteering
Here are some skill ideas
skillls www.dofe.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/programme_ideas_-_skills.pdf
Here are some physical activites
physicalwww.dofe.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/programme_ideas_-_physical.pdf
This was interesting My DDs went to a small school and the vast majority did Bronze DofE. The point for them was that they gave back to the younger school community and in younger DD's case, to her dancing school and the younger children's classes
Im not sure I understand this. Are you saying the school decided what the point of the D of E was? It can't decide what it wants the D of E to be about as D of E has its own statement about what it stands for
www.dofe.org/our-vision-mission-and-guiding-principles/
It makes no difference to university applications but posters seem to be saying that MC children should not do it, only the deserving poor or some unidentified underclass
Who on earth has said that? The good thing about this award is that it is inclusive and everyone can have the opportunity to take part, not just MC kids, not just kids from a deprived background. I would agree that in some cases kids from a wealthier background may have the chance to do more expensive physical activities or be able to access different skills but the principal is the same. Every child should have the same chance to take part in the award.
Over the years I have run several different groups simultaneously. I have worked with a special needs school and got a group through the award. Sure some concessions were made, they didn't have to carry their rucksack on the exped and they had help on the walk.. This is allowed During the same period I worked with a private school where I hardly needed to do anything as they were highly motivated and high achievers. Both groups deserved their award. Both groups were rightly pleased with themselves, as they should.
I really hope my links have worked but if not they are all available on the website.
I would suggest that those who are paying schools to get their children through the award have a look at the website and if you feel your child is made to fit what the school wants challenge it if it doesn't suit their needs or wants. As I keep saying, this award won't change the world but it will hopefully create some skills, teach some lessons and make happy memories if it is done right.
I think I'm done, I'm even boring myself now!!!!!!