Enrichment

 

We offer a wide range of opportunities for students at lunch times and after school.  Our clubs timetable is shared with students and also published on our website at the start of each school term (below).  We encourage all our students to take part and offer everything from knitting to football and acting to coding.

 

 

At Bramcote College, we are proud to offer all three levels of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE):

· Bronze Award – Year 9

· Silver Award – Years 10 & 11

· Gold Award – Years 12 & 13

The DofE programme is a nationally recognised scheme that encourages young people to develop independence, resilience, and a sense of adventure. Our students consistently demonstrate outstanding commitment and are regularly praised for their achievements.

Why Take Part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award?

The DofE Award is more than just a certificate—it's a journey of personal growth. Students gain:

· Confidence and independence

· Teamwork and leadership skills

· A sense of achievement and pride

· Valuable experience for CVs, college, university, and job applications

Whether it’s learning a new skill, volunteering in the community, or navigating the countryside with friends, the DofE Award helps students discover their potential and build lifelong memories.

Bronze Award Overview (Year 9) 

The Bronze Award consists of four key sections:

1. Physical – Improving fitness through regular activity

2. Skills – Developing a new or existing skill

3. Volunteering – Helping others or contributing to the community

4. Expedition – A two-day walking and camping experience

The expedition is delivered by an experienced external provider and includes:

· Training – April

· Practice Expedition – May

· Qualifying Expedition – September

Students complete the Physical, Skills, and Volunteering sections independently, with support from school staff. Many activities can be done outside of school and may already be part of your child’s routine.

Cost and Registration

· Estimated Cost: £240–£280

· Deposit: £60 (non-refundable) due by Friday 29th September 2025

· Payment Method: MCAS (opens 8th September 2025) via the ‘Clubs’ section

Please note: Paying the deposit confirms full commitment to the programme. The school is charged per participant, so withdrawals after payment cannot be refunded.

 

Silver Award Overview (Years 10 & 11)

We are pleased to offer the Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to students entering Year 10. Whether continuing from Bronze or starting fresh, this level provides a fantastic opportunity for personal growth and achievement.

Eligibility

Students must be 13 years old and should have completed the Bronze Award before registering. If a student is interested in completing the Silver Award and has not achieved Bronze, please contact Miss Vizard to discuss.

MCAS payment will open after the Bronze qualifying expedition. 

The Silver Award includes four sections:

1. Physical – Regular activity to improve fitness

2. Skills – Developing a new or existing skill

3. Volunteering – Giving back to the community

4. Expedition – A three-day walking and camping adventure

Due to rising costs, the Silver expedition will now be walking-based rather than canoeing. This change ensures the programme remains inclusive and affordable for all students.

The expedition is delivered by an experienced external provider and includes:

· Training – May

· Practice Expedition – June

· Qualifying Expedition – September (Dates confirmed once participant numbers are finalised.)

The Physical, Skills, and Volunteering sections are completed independently, with guidance from school staff. Many students can use existing hobbies or commitments to fulfil these requirements.

Cost and Registration

· Estimated Cost: £365–£400

· Deposit: £85 (non-refundable) due by Friday 29th September 2025

· Payment Method: MCAS (opens 8th September 2025) via the ‘Clubs’ section

Please note: The deposit confirms full commitment to the programme. As the school is charged per participant, refunds are not possible after registration.

 

Gold Award Overview (Years 12 & 13)

Students in Years 12 and 13 are offered the opportunity to complete the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award—the highest level of the programme and a prestigious personal achievement. Whether continuing from Silver or starting at Gold level, this award is a rewarding and transformative experience. 

The Gold Award includes five sections:

1. Physical – Sustained commitment to improving fitness

2. Skills – Developing a new or existing skill over an extended period

3. Volunteering – Making a meaningful contribution to the community

4. Expedition – A challenging four-day, three-night adventure

5. Residential – A unique experience spent away from home with people you don’t know, working on a shared activity

The expedition is walking-based and delivered by an experienced external provider. It includes:

· Training

· Practice Expedition

· Qualifying Expedition

The Residential section is organised independently by students, with support and guidance from school staff.

Cost and Registration

· Estimated Cost: £700

· Deposit: Details and payment schedule will be confirmed at the start of the academic year

· Payment Method: MCAS via the ‘Clubs’ section

Please note: The deposit confirms full commitment to the programme. As the school is charged per participant, refunds are not possible after registration.

 

If you would like further information on the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award please contact our Duke of Edinburgh’s award co-ordinator Miss Vizard by email, or call reception on 0115 916 8900 and leave a message.  For more details, visit the official DofE website: www.dofe.org

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What equipment do I need?

We have a substantial amount of equipment that we provide, either directly from Bramcote College or from our specialist outside provider, AS Explore Outdoor, below provides an indication about the type of equipment required, however an extensive list will be provided during the parental meeting.

o School: Rucksacks, cooking pots, stoves, fuel, compasses, whistles

o Outside Provider: Sat Trackers, Maps, High Viz vests, Group FA Kits, Group Bivis, Mobile phones.

o Student: Sleeping bag, walking boots, waterproof jacket & trousers and additional clothes.

What’s involved?

Whichever level of award you’re doing you’ll create your own personal programme with the help of your Leader- you just have to choose one activity for each section. It’s up to you what you do for each one, so you can choose something that you’re really into or keen to have a go at. It’s all about setting yourself a challenge and feeling great when you achieve it! There is a great official DofE app that you can download from the Apple app store or Android play store that will help you to begin, manage, and complete your programme..

· Volunteering: This is your chance to make a real difference by helping someone, your community, the environment or an organisation. From being a Listener for the Samaritans or raising money for a cancer charity to helping out at an animal shelter or cleaning up after T-in-the-park- it’s your chance to help others.

· Physical: You can choose any sport, dance or fitness activity to get fitter, keep fit and get better at it! You could play for your local football team or learn to dance or take up something a little more unusual like octopushing or free running –it’s up to you- just choose something you’ll enjoy!

· Skills: Is there something you’ve always wanted to try or do you want to get better at your favourite hobby? Do it for your Skills section and get credit for it! Play the guitar, learn to drive, gain circus skills or even grow cacti - the sky’s the limit when it comes to skills.

· Expedition: Highs, lows, great laughs, amazing memories- you’ll experience it all as you plan, train for and complete an adventurous journey in the UK or abroad. You could find yourselves climbing, cycling, horse riding or walking - who knows where your expedition will take you!

· Residential (Gold Only) is an opportunity for a young person to step outside of their usual environment, routine and social setting, giving them the opportunity to find out more about themselves and who they see themselves as.

 

We are delighted to be able to offer lessons to all students who would like them and have specialist instrumental teachers available from Inspire Library Service to teach the following instruments:

• Guitar - classical guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar (and more) (Monday)

• Strings - violin, viola, cello, double bass (Tuesday)

• Woodwind - flute, clarinet, saxophone (Wednesday)

• Brass - Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Tuba (and more) (Wednesday)

• Voice - Male and female voice. Musical theatre, classical or popular styles available (Wednesday)

• Keys - piano & keyboard (Tuesday & Thursday)

• Percussion - drum kit (Thursday)

All lessons are 20 minutes long and can be booked as individual or paired sessions.  

All students receive a minimum of 10 lessons per term / 30 per year.

Costs:

• 20 minute Shared: £78.75 per pupil

• 20 minute Individual: £157.50 per pupil

If you do not have your own instrument, then these are available to hire at a cost of £22 per term.

Financial support is available for some students to have music lessons - please see details in the letter below.

All fees are payable through MCAS.

If you would like to sign up for lessons, then please complete this registration form.  Our Head of Music, Mrs Franklin, will then contact you to arrange a start date for your lessons (usually at the start of the next term).

Please see the documents below for details of full terms and conditions and other information about lessons at Bramcote College.  If you require any further information, please contact Mrs Franklin by email.