Duke of Edinburgh's Award

The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award offers students aged 14 and older the opportunity to step out of their comfort zones, pushing themselves to discover their true potential. Students can develop the skills and abilities needed to succeed and thrive in an ever-changing world, whilst also preparing themselves on an individual level too.

Students can choose from three different level of award:

Bronze - age 14 onwards
Silver - age 15 onwards
Gold - age 16 onwards

Whilst students can choose to join the award as a direct entrant to Gold, once they are 16 years old, at The British International School of Jeddah we encourage students to get involved in Bronze first, to truly develop their skills and abilities in the different areas the award covers.

At the heart of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, the focus is on resilience, determination, communication, and teamwork.

Participants contribute to the school and wider community, through volunteering their time, developing their skills in particular fields, and through improving their physical skills in a particular field, promoting wellbeing and the ability to stick to a plan, even when times get tough.

Perhaps the best-known element of the award, though, is the Adventurous Journey, where students can demonstrate their skills and abilities outdoors, carrying their kit, learning navigation and camp-craft skills, and camping out with their team in the wild. The level of award determines the level of journey undertaken:

Bronze - 2 days, 1 night
Silver - 3 days, 2 nights
Gold - 4 days, 3 nights

Appropriate training is undertaken before adventurous journeys, with Bronze and Silver journey's taking place in the February Half Term Break, and Gold over the Spring Holiday. Parents are also encouraged to join us for our newly established parent walk, where students can show off their skills and abilities to their parents, in the wilds where they undertake their expeditions.

Through forging friendships and building teams during their practice hikes, participants have the chance to choose their own teams for their adventurous journey, with assessors monitoring from a distance. This allows participants to feel truly in control of their journey, and able to demonstrate their skills and development alongside their peers, whilst creating memories which will stay with them for life.

The Duke of Edinburgh International Award sets students at BISJ apart from others in the area, developing skills and abilities which universities and employers all over the world recognise, and value.

With all three levels of award now operating at BISJ, we encourage students from Year 9 onwards to get involved in the scheme, and to embrace the opportunity to set themselves apart as they progress on to the next stage of their journey through life.

Registration for DofE for 2025 - 2026 is now open for students. Please speak to either Mr Nicholls, Mr Botha, Mrs Ingram, or Mr Sturrock for more information. Please make sure you tell us your name, age, and level you would like to get involved in.