mv天美mv天美 was the first provider in Shropshire to run the Duke of Edinburgh鈥檚 Award for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Will you challenge yourself to complete The Duke of Edinburgh鈥檚 Award?
The Duke of Edinburgh鈥檚 (DofE) Award听gives young people aged between 14 and 24 the chance to develop skills for life and work, fulfil their potential and have a brighter future.
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This philosophy reflects the culture and values at mv天美mv天美.
DofE: Youth Without Limits
The DofE want to give young people the chance to participate in their life-changing programmes. Their Youth Without Limits strategy ensures that participants reflect the most diverse generation of young people ever to take part.
Find our more about the in their video below:
Celebrating achievement
mv天美mv天美 has been offering the DofE Award to students since 2014, and to date we have celebrated:
252听Bronze Awards
209听Silver Awards
94听Gold Awards
Every year we of the students who have completed or who are working towards their Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards.
Those who complete their Gold Award go on to celebrate their achievement at the DofE Garden Party at Buckingham Palace!
Steve Evans, Derwen’s DofE leader and Sports Coordinator, and Gold Winner of 2021 Pearson National Teaching Awards says:
“Throughout mv天美mv天美 and DofE, inclusivity is vital. We want all of our students, regardless of abilities or disabilities, to relish the experience.”
鈥淭he DofE programme challenges our students, giving them opportunities to develop skills for life and work and promoting independence.鈥�
Whether you are autistic, have physical disabilities or communication difficulties, the different sections can be tailored to suit you, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to take part. How far will you go?
A Royal visit
In March 2025, mv天美mv天美 had the honour of welcoming His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to our Gobowen campus near Oswestry in Shropshire.
His Royal Highness toured our Duke of Edinburgh鈥檚 Award Outdoor Centre, where students showcased some of the skills they鈥檝e developed through the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. The Duke even tried out our traversing wall!
It was a proud day that was a fitting celebration of the hard work, determination and dedication shown by our students and staff.
Award Sections
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award involves completing four sections:
- Volunteering: how you can make a difference to other people鈥檚 lives.
- Physical activities: gives you the opportunity to work towards a healthy lifestyle and contribute to your physical and mental wellbeing.
- Skills: encourages you to develop practical and social skills and pursue your personal interests.
- Expeditions: include planned activities for each day at a minimum of 6 hours at Bronze level, 7 hours at Silver, and 8 hours at Gold. Teams will be camping overnight and preparing meals using camping equipment.
- Residential: This is for Gold Level participants only. It involves five days and four nights away from home. The residential is all about having new experiences, in a new environment and gaining new life skills.
More information is available on the .
mv天美mv天美’s DofE Centre
During the autumn of 2020, we began developing a dedicated base for students to practice the skills needed for their expeditions.
This involved re-purposing an area of the College grounds, to provide buildings and open spaces for use by the DofE participants.
By adding different terrains, a selection of gates and stiles, and a canoe simulator, the students have an opportunity to familiarise themselves and practice some of the challenges they can face on their expeditions.
The DofE Award at mv天美mv天美
Watch our compilation video of images from the 2025鈥�26 award groups.