Levels and timescales
Bronze – for those aged 14+ years (Year 10)
Silver – for those aged 15+ years (Year 11 – This will not affect GCSEs)
Gold – for those aged 16+ years (Year 12 + 13)
Activities for each DofE section take a minimum of one hour a week over a set period of time, so they can be fitted in around academic study, hobbies and social lives. Development and regular progress must be shown and all activities must be completed by the participant’s 25th birthday.
Bronze timescales:
- Volunteering section: 3 months
- Physical section: 3 months
- Skills section: 3 months
- Expedition section: 2days/1night
You also have to do 3 more months in one of the Volunteering, Physical or Skills sections.
Silver timescales:
- Volunteering section: 6 months
- Physical and Skills sections: One section for 6 months and the other section for 3 months
- Expedition section: 3days/2nights
If you didn’t do Bronze, you must undertake a further 6 months in either the Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections.
Gold timescales:
- Volunteering section: 12months
- Physical and Skills sections: One section for 12 months and the other section for 6 months
- Expedition section: 4days/3nights
- Residential section: Undertake a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for 5 days and 4 nights.
If you didn’t do Silver, you must undertake a further 6 months in either the Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections.