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HomeRun DofEDelivering DofEEnrichment through DofE

DofE has enrichment in its DNA. For more than 70 years, we’ve helped young people take part in experiences beyond the curriculum – from volunteering to outdoor adventure. Our impact report shows enrichment through DofE has measurable outcomes for young people’s wellbeing, skills development, community ties and physical activity.

Aligned directly with the Government’s enrichment framework for schools and colleges in England, DofE is a trusted and proven way to offer enrichment. We already partner with 87% of mainstream schools across the UK – as well as hundreds of further education colleges, specialist schools and alternative provision settings.

Strengthen your enrichment offer with DofE

We know how much pressure school and college leaders are under right now. The strongest enrichment is not an add-on; it is part of a well-rounded education. DofE provides a practical way to make that happen, giving pupils a pathway to build their self-belief through real-life experiences.

DofE helps schools and colleges meet and evidence their enrichment offer against the enrichment benchmarks, enabling students to access all five enrichment categories through one comprehensive programme. DofE is also cited as an example of best practice in the enrichment framework itself.

The Government’s new enrichment guidance is an opportunity for every school and college to strengthen their enrichment offer. Whether you already run DofE or are considering it for the first time, we can help you scale up and evidence your enrichment more strategically for your setting.

How DofE aligns with the enrichment framework
  1. Civic engagement
    DofE’s Volunteering section meets this enrichment category as participants contribute to the community in many ways, e.g., through charity work, mentoring, environmental action.
  2. Arts and culture
    DofE’s Skills section fits this category. Young people often take up activities such as learning a new instrument, teaching themselves photography, improving their creative writing or starting a book club.
  3. Nature, outdoors and adventure-learning
    Schools can support this category through the DofE expedition – one of the most memorable parts of our programme. Students build skills such as independence, camp craft, environmental awareness, teamwork and resilience.
  4. Sports and physical activities
    As well as the expedition, DofE promotes regular physical activity, fitness and healthy lifestyles in our Physical section. Participants often keep up this habit after achieving their Award.
  5. Developing wider life and future skills
    DofE helps young people develop skills such as resilience, organisation, leadership, teamwork, problem-solving and self-management. At every stage of their DofE journey, your students will be expanding their horizons and building skills for life and work.
How DofE meets the enrichment benchmarks
  1. A strategically aligned enrichment offer.
    DofE is designed to support personal development, PSHE, wellbeing, behaviour and attendance. Programmes are flexible and can be adapted to reflect each school or college’s strategic priorities.
  2. A broad and well-rounded enrichment offer.
    DofE programmes encompass all five enrichment framework categories, ensuring participants can access a rich and diverse set of enrichment experiences.
  3. A well communicated enrichment offer that celebrates participation and achievement.
    Well-known and established with a 70-year history, DofE is woven into communities throughout the UK. DofE rewards both participation and achievement with sectional and completion certificates, with all participants submitting a self-reflection report for each section of their Award. Physical and digital badges can be added to reports, CVs, online profiles and transition records. Gold Award holders also have an opportunity to celebrate their success at a Royal Palace.
  4. An enrichment offer shaped by the school or college community.
    Young people shape their own DofE journey, designing their own programmes and choosing activities that align with their passions and interests. Schools and colleges can support student choice by consulting them on the enrichment activities they would like to see on offer. They can design volunteering and skills development opportunities within the school, college or local community.
  5. An accessible and engaging offer.
    Each DofE section can be adapted to meet young people’s individual needs, supporting inclusive programmes. DofE also offers targeted financial support for eligible participants.
  6. An enrichment offer that works in partnership.
    Partnerships are at the heart of DofE – the charity works with over 4,300 education settings across the UK, with an extensive network of community groups and outdoor providers who support access to enrichment activities outside school and college.
  7. An outcomes-focused enrichment offer.
    Young people who do DofE report positive outcomes, including improved mental and physical wellbeing, skills, agency and lifelong self-belief. Read more in our impact report. Schools and colleges can also cross-reference DofE impact data with their own performance data – for example, across attainment, attendance, belonging and future destinations.
  8. A continually improving enrichment offer.
    Participation and achievement data may be used by schools and colleges running DofE to inform enrichment design and delivery over time.
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New to running DofE?

Find out where to start if your school wants to deliver DofE.

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Scale up your offer

Find out more about how DofE can scale up your enrichment offer.

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"We see a huge difference in our students who take part in DofE, in terms of their attendance, their punctuality, how they present themselves in lessons, their behaviour, their concentration, their confidence to ask for help when it is needed."
Ruth Pearsall
Teacher and DofE Manager at Open Academy, Norwich
"We want students from all backgrounds and all walks of life to have a rich education with character. DofE allows for that to happen. I think it's real character-building stuff that everyone should have opportunity to do, and particularly at their age."
James Wilson
Headteacher of Bacons College

Find out more

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