Haxby RoadNew Earswick

YorkYO32 4BZ

Tel: 01904 552100E-mail: joseph.rowntree@york.gov.ukWebsite: www.josephrowntree.co.uk

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Duke of Edinburgh’s Award SchemeJoseph Rowntree School - Bronze Award 2019

Dear Parents/Carers,

Your son/daughter has expressed an interest in participating in the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme and has written me a letter explaining why they think it would be good for them to complete the award.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme is a nationally recognised scheme promoting personal development. The award covers 4 areas; volunteering, skills development, physical challenge and the expedition. It is extremely well regarded by both universities and employers. Within the School we are offering the award at Bronze level in a way that allows committed participants to complete the award in one year. This is the start of a 3-tier award system. More information is available via the website: www.DofE.org.

The cost of the Bronze Award programme is £245. This can be paid through ParentPay in instalments of £50. There are some key dates for payment as set out below:

Payment date Amount required Reason for payments1 December 2018 £45 non-refundable deposit Award admin1 April 2019 +£100 Training/equipment/staffing and expedition expenses3 June 2019 +£100 Qualifying Expedition expenses

The cost covers the registration, training and mentoring of the participant. It also covers the expedition section which includes: transport, use of equipment if required, appropriate external supervision and assessment. We will be using the DofE “Approved Activity Provider” (AAP) – Mid Yorks Expeditions CIC to deliver the expedition section. This is a not for profit community interest company and is run by Rachel and Ian Turnbull – former teachers - who now offer expeditions for schools.

I will make a short presentation to parents and be available to answer questions at 6.30pm on Wednesday 28 November in the lecture theatre. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the scheme, please contact me sv@josephrowntree.york.sch.uk

Key training dates – It is important that all students attend each of these sessions.

Spring term (Jan – March) only ActivityThursday 31 Jan & 7 Feb 20193.15pm – 4.15pm

Sessions to enrol onto ‘edofe’ and to advise on volunteering, skill and physical sections

HEADTEACHER: Mr R Crane, MA (Hons), NPQH

DEPUTY HEAD: Mr G Davies, MA (Dist) DEPUTY HEAD: Mr A Haigh, BSc (Hons)

“Working together to achieve success”

Saturday 16 March 9am – 3pm

Expedition Training – essentialBased at schoolBring lunch, pen, old clothes for first aid and warm coat

After training, the expeditions are supervised remotely using checkpoints, though staff do stay on the same (usually very basic) campsites at Bronze (and Silver) levels. Please be aware that under DofE rules, participants are only allowed to use a mobile phone in case of emergencies so will be out of contact with you for the duration of the expedition.

Expedition dates

1-2 May 2019(Wed-Thur)

Practice Expedition - 2 days, 1 night, meet at 8.30am.This will take place in the Harewood Area

24-25 June 2019(Mon-Tue)

Qualifying Expedition - 2 days, 1 night, meet at 8.30am.This will take place in Nidderdale – starting at Ripley or Wath

If you would like your son/daughter to enrol in the scheme, please make a ParentPay payment, fill in the enrolment form, medical form and send them to the school reception desk in an envelope marked DofE – Bronze by 1 December 2018.

Yours sincerely

Susan Vaughan

Extra-Curricular Learning Co-ordinator