All pupils in year 9 and above are offered the opportunity to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

The Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) award scheme is offered at Bronze, Silver and Gold level and is available to all learners at Key Stage 4. The DofE Award is the world’s leading youth achievement award, giving millions of 14+ year olds the opportunity to develop a range of personal skills through volunteering, participating in physical activities and developing communication and team working skills by planning for and participating in an expedition.

These expeditions usually take place in the summer term and involve an over-night stay on the Gower Coast. The length of these activities varies depending on the size of the award.

ACS has seen a 100% Pass rate from all past pupils opting to participate in the DofE award scheme. DofE pupils meet on a weekly basis and can participate in a series of activities of their choice. Pupils will learn a new skill in a chosen sector, for example learning a new language, learning to cook and learning to play a new sport to name a few.

Gold Award

All pupils over the age of sixteen are eligible to participate in the Gold award (providing they have completed the Bronze and Silver levels of the Award.) We also offer Direct Entry into the Gold Award for students who have not had the opportunity to go through Bronze and Silver.

The award at Gold Level is made up of five sections:

1. Service – this involves some form of beneficial service to the community in which you live for an hour each week over a minimum of 12 months.

2. Skill – this involves the development of new or existing skills or hobbies for an hour a week over 6 or 12 months.

3. Physical – this involves participation in some sport or other physical activity and developing your skill, technique and knowledge for an hour a week over 6 or 12 months.

4. Residential Project – this involves a period of five days/four nights away from home with no more than two of your friends, joining a worthwhile activity with other young people. For example, an environmental project, sailing course, university summer school.

5. Expedition – this involves two expeditions; a training expedition for three days/two nights and a final expedition for four days/three nights. The expedition involves planning and undertaking 8 hours of journeying per day as a part of a group as well as camping and cooking as a self-sufficient group.