DofE funding helps ASFA students learn life-changing skills

The Academy of St Francis of Assisi (ASFA) has received a grant from The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) Diamond fund to help more students take part in the programme.

Through this funding, ASFA has been able to reach and support more disadvantaged young people who want to do their DofE Bronze Award at the Academy.

The Diamond fund was established in 2016 to mark 60 years since the DofE was established and was a year-long fundraising initiative.

Thanks to this funding, ASFA has offered the Bronze Award to a greater number of participants, more than doubling the number of the previous five years and, most importantly, providing more young people the opportunity which may not otherwise have been open to them, to develop ‘soft’ skills and attributes for life and the workplace.

Students relished learning outdoor survival skills, such as cooking.

When asked what the best thing about the DofE was, ASFA students had a range of answers. Dorcas chose Debate Mate as her skill which was “helpful and interesting” and loved being in nature during the camping trip. While participant Michael said he loved “the whole experience”, from the challenge of walking and learning how to read a map.

Headteacher Tracey Greenough said: “The Diamond fund has enabled us to encourage more students to enrol and participate in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE).

“We really value the programme and the opportunities it gives our students, not just during their time at the Academy but by developing skills to help them become independent, employable young people in the outside world.

“Essentially this grant means finance is no longer a barrier to participation and we are extremely grateful to the DofE for this funding.”

To find out more about the opportunities available at The Academy of St Francis of Assisi, visit their Open Evening on Thursday 27 September, 5-7pm.