Making the most of the DofE in schools

Send a press release to the local paper on DofE achievements (for the year), including content about the expeditions and Awards achieved. Display any coverage on your DofE noticeboard and in your reception area. You could also circulate it to all staff.

Update the admin team with any confirmed dates for DofE information evenings and assemblies, celebration events, training courses, expedition dates and training (for practice and qualifying) so that they can be incorporated into the whole school calendar for teachers and students. Avoid any clashes, where possible, with other events

Ask your admin team to support you to research any bursaries (locally offered or nationally) for your DofE activities. They could also help you by writing to local businesses to ask for their support and booking in fundraising events throughout the following year. For example, non-uniform days, bake sales and sponsored silences are all great ways to raise money for new kit and other DofE activities. Take a look at our 40 Fundraising ideas for more inspiration and the ‘Money Matters’ feature in every edition of the DofE magazine.

Send a contribution on your DofE achievements to the school governors’ annual report. Include success stories of your participants from the year, with quotes and photos, to demonstrate the impact of your activities. Share any other good news stories you have generated. Building a positive image of the DofE in the school will help ensure it is supported and valued for years to come.

Book a slot on the teacher training day at the start of the next academic year. This is a great opportunity to promote your DofE activities and their impact and encourage teachers to sign up and get involved. Identify beforehand if DofE leadership counts towards Continued Professional Development in your school.

Publicise some of the great quotes from your recent Award holders to all your teachers and staff in the school. This will help to build interest in and support for the DofE and will also encourage them to come forward to volunteer – it doesn’t hurt to ask! Remind teachers that DofE leadership can offer them the opportunity for continued professional development (in many establishments), a chance to be trained in outdoor education and receive some free or subsidised expedition kit (this can be a nice incentive if it’s not possible to offer a financial reward), as well as helping them to build relationships with pupils and other colleagues.