Duke of Edinburgh International Award
Introduction
In Years 10 to 13, BISP students may choose to participate in the world’s leading youth achievement award, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (IA).
The Award brings together practical experiences and life skills to equip young people for life. Since it was founded in 1956 by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh (husband to Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom), over eight million young people have participated in the Award in over 140 countries and territories.
Unique to BISP
True to its Learning Without Limits ethos, BISP is the only school on the island to offer all three levels of the award. The programme makes full use of the school’s island location, with a number of activities being water-based, for an extraordinary, memorable experience that will stand out on any student CV.
BISP enjoys an exceptionally high pass rate for the award, demonstrating the commitment and passion of its students.
What’s involved?
The Award is voluntary, non-competitive, enjoyable and balanced, and requires effort over time. There are three levels to the Award: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Young people design their own Award programme, set their own goals and record their own progress. They choose a Service, Physical Recreation, Skills activity, go on an Adventurous Journey and, to achieve a Gold Award, take part in a residential project. The only person they compete against is themselves, by challenging their own beliefs about what they can achieve. BISP students are supported throughout by their award leader, but it is a self-driven process that requires students to self-manage and commit the required time and effort.
Year 10 – Bronze
- Kayaking Adventurous Journey
- Weekly training sessions during after school activities
- Training weekend, practice weekend, qualifying weekend
Year 11 – Silver
- Dinghy Sailing Journey
- Training weekend, 3-day practice journey and 3-day qualifying journey
Year 12 – Gold
- Yacht Sailing
- Team building hike, 2 training weekends, practice and final journey combined trip
- All trips take place in Year 12
For more information on The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (IA) at BISP, please contact us here.