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Registered Charity Number 1178953 (detail here).

Gift Aid Number: ZD05035

#DofEWithADifference

We recognise that this is a worrying time for everyone, and you may be concerned about how you will continue your DofE. The Award has created a hub where participants, Leaders and parents can find all the information and ideas they need during the coronavirus outbreak.
 
The coronavirus doesn’t mean your DofE needs to stop – far from it. Whether you’re doing or delivering the DofE, here’s everything you need to keep yours going.
 

https://www.dofe.org/dofewithadifference

 

Gillingham (Dorset) DofE Open Award Centre has been operated entirely by volunteers since Sept 2014 and has to be self-funding, as per our Young Friends of Gillingham DofE page. Pics and posts on our Facebook page.

Find out more about the DofE Award itself on The Award page. Other Dorset DofE Centres and schools delivering DofE under DC are listed on DofE Dorset

170 young people are currently working on their Award at all levels, 89 have achieved a full Award since June 2019; 43 have their Certificate of Achievement. Full Awards, since 2003, are recorded on our Awards page.

Yr9 to 24yrs can start from:

  • Bronze can start as early as the June before they go into Yr9
  • Silver can start as early as the June before they go into Yr10
  • 16th birthday for Gold (Expedition training can start earlier)
  • Direct entry to Silver or Gold is possible if of the right age

Enrolment: to all levels is possible at any time but there are key dates you have to attend to be eligible for a dofe qualifying expedition. Check out the page dedicated to the level you are interested in. 

If you did a previous level it is expected to have been finished unless there are extenuating circumstances!

Attendance:

In 2021 we will be at Gillingham School in the Dance Studio immediately after school on TUESDAYS from 3.30 – 5.30pm term time 

Normally, regular Tuesday evening attendance is expected from the silvers and bronzes as below. This is mandatory in order to plan and complete the preparation for the assessed expedition.

  • Silvers Jan to Easter
  • Bronzes Mar to June/July

Golds will do their planning for their Expedition final in one day. We have now put this in for Saturday 29 May 2021

New participants are invited in to discuss their own DofE programme shortly after enrolment from September to December. There will be specific events to attend.

Training and Expedition dates are fixed the June before the new intake. An information evening is set for Tuesday May 25 2021. Please check them against your own family and activity calendars before signing up.

Important Downloads and links 

BACs – Bank: Gillingham DofE OAC. The Ref MUST BE full name of participant. sortcode 30.98.97 (Lloyds) a/c 47830260

Note that the enrolment fee goes elsewhere to buy your place for you and we can’t get it back if you change your mind.

It is an individual responsibility to choose and to check that any activity  undertaken for the DofE programme is appropriately managed and insured, unless the activity is directly managed or organised by their DofE group, such as the Expedition. We’ve lots of ideas and contacts but cannot organise them for you.

What’s Happening at Gillingham DofE OAC?

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Gillingham, Dorset is delivered under the DofE licence of Dorset Council by Gillingham Open Award Centre (OAC).