Making the most of the DofE in schools

Invite local press to the celebration event (or send them a press release and photos afterwards) to help raise awareness in the local community of your work and create a positive image of the school and its pupils. Invite notable figures in the community along or an inspirational speaker (consider local councillors, celebrities, sports people or business figures) to help give the event a sense of importance. This might pave the way for their future support with your DofE activities.

Invite governors along to the celebration event to give it a sense of occasion and importance. Ask them to contribute their personal congratulations to the young people and offer their thanks to your volunteers, perhaps even by saying a few words.

Invite your headteacher and the senior management team to your DofE celebration event and ask them to contribute their personal thanks to the young achievers and your volunteers (this could be done face to face or as a letter or even with the gesture of a free item of clothing or expedition equipment). Not only will this help your young people and volunteers to feel valued and have their achievement recognised it will also help your headteacher and SMT to understand the time commitment, resources and challenges involved with delivering DofE programmes. Building a positive image of the DofE and its impact in the school will ensure it maintains a good reputation and that your provision is supported for years to come.

Work with form tutors to use form time to chase those participants who are close to completion. Share with tutors the solutions to overcoming the most common barriers to completion and the answers to regularly asked questions so that they can act as additional support.

Personally thank your volunteers for their support and, if possible, ask your headteacher to thank them as well. This will help them to feel valued and might convince them to continue supporting you next year! Demonstrate to your headteacher the value of their support and gather quotes from them and your participants.

Invite parents along to the DofE celebration event so that they, and their young person, can see the importance of what has been achieved. Introduce them to the next level of programme for their young person and offer suggestions for potential activities to get them started.