Making the most of the DofE in schools

Highlight to form tutors and heads of year those students who still need to submit evidence. Ask tutors to chase as well as adding reminders in pigeon holes, emails and on notice boards or form time notices. Consider sharing a list of the last time their students logged in to eDofE as an additional prompt.

The start of term is a great time to recruit for more volunteers – people will be spurred on by their New Year’s resolutions. Use your regular staff engagement channels (e.g. notice boards in the staffroom, pigeon holes, email requests, etc.) and invite them along to DofE meetings so they can see what it’s all about.

Send a light progress report or letter to parents. Highlight any participants that still need to submit evidence and give parents guidance on how this can be done.

Use sectional certificates as motivation so that young people can feel a sense of achievement for each step of their journey.

To encourage completions, you could stipulate that all other sections are completed before a participant is allowed on expedition. You should inform parents, too, if you choose to implement this.

Add a screenshot of your eDofE ‘Participant overview’ screen to the DofE noticeboard in your school to help identify and encourage those who still have sections left to complete.