The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award

GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail is proud to deliver The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, a world leading achievement award with the aim of providing new challenges and skills to young people.

The Award was founded by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh in 1956 with the sole purpose of readying young children for future responsibilities and equipping them with necessary skills to cope with the successes and failures that life can bring. The Award is globally recognised by employers and universities as they understand the key skills gained upon the completion of the award. Skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving and perseverance are vital in everyday life outside of the classroom.

The award is facilitated by Mr Talsania who is the Award Co-ordinator and members of staff support training sessions, expeditions and provide mentoring for the students. Mr Talsania has been on many expeditions in the UK and is an expert in the skills required to successfully navigate in the mountains or in the desert without a mobile phone!

What is involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award?

At WEK we start training sessions in year 10 for the Bronze Award, year 11/12/13 for the Silver Award and year 12 & 13 for the Gold Award. Students must complete a physical activity, skill and voluntary service with a minimum of a 1-hour commitment for each activity per week. On top of that, students are then expected to undertake a practice adventurous journey and qualifying adventurous journey. 

The Award is a huge step towards the students becoming independent, working on their team working, leadership and communication skills. This allows the students to develop their confidence, intrapersonal and interpersonal skills which translates into the classroom. Moreover, it also allows the student to expand their CV and university applications when they are able to discuss the skills they have gained relating to the International Award. Below are the time requirements for the activities and adventurous journeys for each stage of the International Award.

Bronze: 3 months for each activity & an additional 3 months for one of the chosen activities. The duration of the adventurous journey is 2 days, 1 night with a minimum journeying time of 6 hours.

Silver: 6 months for each activity. If the previous Award has not been obtained, students must carry out a further 6 months in a chosen activity. The duration of the adventurous journey is 3 days, 2 nights with a minimum journeying time of 7 hours.

Gold: 12 months for each activity. If the previous Award has not been obtained, students must carry out a further 6 months in a chosen activity. The duration of the adventurous journey is 4 days, 3 nights with a minimum journeying time of 8 hours.

if you are interested in participating, please have a look at the sample kit list for the expedition. For more information about the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, please click here.