Skills for life

Enriching pupil experience through DofE

Long hikes, muddy walking boots, pre-cooked food pouches… you may have your own ideas of what the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is, but there’s so much more to discover. At its core, the DofE is about equipping young people with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in all areas of life. Alongside practical skills, they develop a whole host of soft skills ranging from resilience to communication, collaboration to leadership, and these are all gained whilst embarking on some of the biggest challenges they will have faced. Through expeditions, residentials, volunteering, skills and physical activities, DofE participants build a strong sense of self-confidence that prepares them for a world beyond school. 

How leadership opportunities open doors 

At Loughborough High School, two of our pupils have progressed to join the DofE Young Leaders programme – a scheme that enables young people to support, guide and mentor other DofE participants. Counting towards the volunteering section of the Award, this opportunity enables staff members and pupils to work together to further promote uptake of the advanced Award levels and puts pupils firmly at the heart of the School’s DofE provision. 

This year I have become a Young Leader, which involves assisting the School’s DofE Leader by promoting the Award, signing off sections, and supporting participants. I value this experience as I have gained a deeper understanding of the DofE process and have developed personal skills such as confidence and time management.

DofE Young Leader, Year 11 (LHS)

In September, our Young Leaders, along with the High School’s DofE Co-Ordinator, Lisa McPherson, had the incredible opportunity to meet HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. The Young Leaders presented at the DofE conference on enrichment in education held in Leicester. They spoke to a large audience about their experience with the Award and what it has meant for them. The main aims of the session were to showcase local DofE delivery and impact, share Young Leader initiatives and identify sustainable growth opportunities and to gather insights that will inform the DofE’s planning, especially regarding enrichment and strategic DofE delivery. 

The impact of volunteering 

From April 2025 to the end of March 2026 at Loughborough High School, pupils working towards their DofE Awards spent an incredible 2,938 hours volunteering – the social value of these hours is £22,181. With large portions of this time spent in local primary schools, care homes and community groups, the volunteering section of the Award makes a tangible contribution to the local area. It is during these experiences that pupils learn to value the community around them, build their confidence and develop lifelong leadership skills. 

This sense of social responsibility is something that cannot be taught inside the classroom; it is fostered within our pupils when they immerse themselves in volunteering opportunities, taking a genuine interest in how they can make a difference. These qualities are also things that stand out on CVs, personal statements and university applications. Pupils who can demonstrate initiative, confidence and a proactive mindset become those who can differentiate themselves from their peers when it comes to life beyond school.