The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE)

We have an excellent reputation within the DofE Head Office, DofE Licenced Organisations, National Operating Authorities, Directly Licenced Centres, Multi-Academy Trusts, independent schools, and local authorities, for delivering the Expedition section to the highest standards and who regularly use us as their ‘preferred provider’, as well as recommending and booking participants onto our popular ‘open’ expeditions.

We have an outstanding reputation for safety, ‘best practice’ and keeping within the values, ethos and spirit of the DofE, meeting both the aim and benefits of the Expedition section and the wider DofE programme.

Embracing an ‘open and accessible to all’ policy, we ensure that young people are at the heart of everything we do, allowing them to benefit greatly from their participation in the DofE Expedition section by having fun, generating memorable, challenging and valuable experiences.

We are recognised for positively supporting young people with additional needs and are regularly asked by the DofE Charity to deliver the Expedition section to special needs schools and colleges that offer the DofE programme to their students.

Managed by a unique leadership team, that has a genuine ‘second-to-none’ and unparalleled knowledge and understanding of the Expedition section, the wider DofE programme, and experience in its delivery within a range of settings, including informal and formal education, as our founder and Director, started his current 49 years long DofE journey in 1974, by completing Bronze, Silver and Gold awards, before continuing his involvement by organising, supervising and assessing expeditions, as well as managing and running DofE groups. He also worked over ten years full-time for the DofE Charity as the Expedition Field Officer, assisting with the development of the Expedition section, organising and leading UK and overseas DofE expeditions, sitting on the DofE’s National Expedition Advisory Panel, and delivering outdoor training for adults involved with the Expedition section. He is a former Mountain Rescue Team member; the Expedition and Outdoor Leadership Technical Adviser for The Boys’ Brigade (England & Wales), the National Duke of Edinburgh's Award President for St John Ambulance; and a professionally qualified youth worker.

All our instructors are handpicked, not just because of the outdoor qualifications they hold and the years of experience they have, but also because of their knowledge of, and safe practice within the DofE Expedition section and the wider DofE programme; their enthusiasm and motivation; their commitment to ‘best practice’; and their ability to empower, inspire, encourage and engage with young people at all levels, promoting personal, social and educational development, increased self-confidence, self-esteem, and young people's enjoyment of participating in the DofE. Outdoor qualifications alone, i.e. proven technical competency, do not develop these ‘soft’ skills, or the leadership ability and personal qualities required to positively deliver the DofE Expedition section to young people. This is why, when selecting staff to support and work with us, we look beyond their outdoor qualifications.

We are proud of the many positive comments and endorsements we receive, following the purposeful engagement and support we give to young people during our DofE expedition programmes - Testimonials