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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

Duke of Edinburgh Bronze - worth it?

67 replies

NikkiNokkiNooNah · 02/05/2023 18:10

13yr old DS is at fee paying school on a scholarship and has opportunity to enrol on DoE Bronze award scheme but I really know very little about it. School not really wanting to be too involved aside from offering it up as an option. He is not keen but not totally against the idea. Does it add much value to their education/future prospects overall? Is it a prestigious thing to have in your repertoire or is it outdated and not much value anymore? I have no idea. Please can I have some feedback from anyone who has been through this stage. Many thanks. 😘

OP posts:

SheilaFentiman · 02/05/2023 18:14

If he’s not keen, he won’t do it, IMO.

OwlBeGone · 02/05/2023 18:17

Agree with pp. It's a relatively big commitment with the volunteering, especially trying to find something suitable when they're 13/14. My dd and ds both didn't complete it as they weren't motivated enough. Dd is 18 now and has offers from universities. It hasn't made any difference in that respect because she has no DoE.

Spendonsend · 02/05/2023 18:18

I don't think its prestigious or something future employers will be wowed by for years to come

I think its good for self motivation, volunteering experience, confidence some independce skills and team work, which might help them with next steps. So its positive for rounded development but these can be achieved in other ways too.
Im glad my son did it.

Unbridezilla · 02/05/2023 18:20

When i did it, Bronze wasn't prestigious and on pretty much everybody's uni applications. Gold, however is (or at least was). It provides structure to having a well rounded extracurricular set of interests and requires commitment.

However, I mainly did it because I loved the expeditions

EggInANest · 02/05/2023 18:20

Do you think it would be good for his personal development?

It is designed to challenge young people to be resourceful, be independent, contribute to their community and try new things that push their comfort zone.

If he isn’t keen it probably won’t work. Does he fancy doing the expedition? Walking, camping, map reading?

It isn’t out of date but won’t help him get into Uni.

redskylight · 02/05/2023 18:21

I wouldn't do it if you want it for future prospects/prestige.

It's great for getting DC involved in things they might not otherwise of considered and for pushing them out of their comfort zone and helping them develop new skills.
In my case, I ended up with a new hobby for life.

However, you don't "need" the award to do all that. It just helps scaffold it.

stepstepstep · 02/05/2023 18:22

DD 15 is in the middle of it now, she has volunteered in a charity shop for the last few months which I think has been a really good intro into work. She did her practice expedition a couple of weekends ago & really enjoyed it (despite getting thoroughly lost!) I wasn’t bothered whether she did it or not, but I think it has been excellent.

Lemonademoney · 02/05/2023 18:23

Watching with interest as in similar situation with DS

stepstepstep · 02/05/2023 18:24

Agree with PPs, no point doing it for CV points, but it’s a good programme if you throw yourself into it.

EggInANest · 02/05/2023 18:24

Looking at it from the point of boosting his personal ‘prestige’ isn’t really the DoE spirit.

DietCokeUser · 02/05/2023 18:25

It’s no big shakes on a CV or personal statement. It is, however, a good way to get involved in new activities and volunteering. If your DS already does a lot of extra-curricular stuff, that’s less of an issue.

Ar DD’s school the main draw is the expedition.

Brightredtulips · 02/05/2023 18:26

I'd say it was a good experience for both dc. Volunteered in care homes , learned new skills and best of all the challenge of expeditions. Lots of happy memories were made. It shows they were determined, confident and outgoing. Probably wouldn't have made a difference getting into uni but overall it was a good school experience.

Letsplayvets · 02/05/2023 18:29

My friends and I still laugh about the things we got up to on our DofE expeditions, it was 20 years ago now.

dizzydizzydizzy · 02/05/2023 18:32

If he's not keen I wouldn't push it because it takes a lot of commitment.

DD1 did it and it did her the world of good. She seemed to grow up extra fast and became more confident.

Fandabedodgy · 02/05/2023 18:33

Its a fantastic opportunity which will help him develop his life skills, improve his confidence, build resilience.

Universities and good employers look favourably on it. Bad employers won't give a shit about it.

But if he doesn't want to do it he shouldn't. Its a commitment and he will hate it if he isn't enthusiastic.

handmademitlove · 02/05/2023 18:36

Also worth remembering that you can do silver or gold without having done the earlier levels - so if he changes his mind he could just do that.

RoseThornside · 02/05/2023 18:37

I don't think it particularly matters to employers or unis etc. My dd did hers, because she thought it looked like a laugh. And it was, and she loved it. But if your ds doesn't especially fancy it, then it doesn't matter.

LotsOfBalloons · 02/05/2023 18:38

I'd assumed mine would do it and they have a sport and a skill... but actually the volunteering takes a lot of time. They'll do the expedition with scouts/explorers anyway so we may miss it!

Nimbostratus100 · 02/05/2023 18:38

no it isnt "prestigious" 😂That is not what it is for , and not why its done. It is done for personal development, overcoming challenges, achievement, hopefully some fun and bonding experiences too

Pinkandgreentrousers · 02/05/2023 18:38

Two of mine have done bronze, silver and gold, they got a lot out of it but it definitely didn't help them get into uni.

MrsMoastyToasty · 02/05/2023 18:39

DS struggled to find anywhere that would take on volunteers under the age of 16 because "health and safety ".

Lougle · 02/05/2023 18:43

DD2 has done it through school. Her volunteering part has been through helping at the school farm and her skill has been done through her food tech lessons. Her expedition is next month.

TryingTooHardToPlease · 02/05/2023 18:45

My twin boys did it with their Explorers group. It was a lot of work, but I believe is was very worthwhile. We found it very useful when completing college and 6th form applications.

they didn’t go on to silver though, bronze was enough for them!

notacooldad · 02/05/2023 18:47

Universities and good employers look favourably on it. Bad employers won't give a shit about it.
Not at bronze level. However if he is with a good crowd he should have a great time.
Theres lots of benefits to doing it but pushing your son to do it for future prospect is ridiculous.
I was a D of E leader for over 20 years, up to Covid and have not renewed my ticket, employers would pay attention to Gold but bronze awards are two a penny

3FriendsAndADog · 02/05/2023 18:57

Both my dcs did it. Dc1 then carried on to do the gold DoE.

Both dcs loved the expedition side.
It is a commitment yes but I think they both learnt a lot from it and it opened some doors to other stuff later on.

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