EVC Summer 2026_magazine_AWdigital - Flipbook - Page 33
Duke of EDINBURGH'S Award
EXPEDITIONS
FOR EVERYONE
PLAN AHEAD
Assume that every student you ask
is going to say yes to the expedition.
Which means that before you even
announce the trip, start thinking
about how you’ll enable everyone
to go.
Students with additional needs
often have good ideas about how
their needs can be managed, so
encourage their input. Sit down with
the SENCO, the expedition leaders,
the parents and the student and
discuss how to make it work – in
my experience, this can have really
positive results. If you’re using a
third-party provider, ask them what
they will do to support your learners.
32,000++
young people with
additional needs
took part in DofE
last year
(15% increase on 2024/25)*
If your students with
additional needs
are keen to do the
DofE expedition, Martin Clist,
Educational Visits Adviser and
experienced DofE leader, has
some encouraging advice on
how you can support them
EXTEND YOUR ONSITE
PROVISION
UNDERSTAND REMOTE
SUPERVISION
Like any offsite visit, think of the
expedition as an extension of the
school. Whatever plan is in place,
such as an EHCP, just extend it to
cover the trip. So if a student needs
help walking around the school,
they’ll need the same help when
they’re walking outdoors, and the
DofE rules allow for this.
If additional needs make it
necessary, supervisors can
accompany the group or follow
at a distance, as long as the students
still find their own way and make
their own decisions. Talk to your
local DofE representative if you
need clarity on this.
WRITE YOUR OWN PLAN
The Bronze expedition is two days
and one night away with six hours
of activity each day. But that doesn’t
have to be a 20-mile walk. You can
cycle or paddle a canoe. You can
hire a motorised wheelchair. The
activity could be an outdoor project,
not a hike. And students can sleep
in bunkhouses rather than a tent.
You can build the plan around your
group’s needs.
REACH OUT FOR HELP
Look for online DofE forums,
where you can exchange ideas and
experiences with other schools.
Specialist schools are great to talk to,
as their students have really complex
needs, but they still find a way to
run these trips. One of my schools
in Sheffield took a child on a DofE
expedition who was completely blind
– with the right support you can
make it work!
For more information:
dofe.org/run/additional-needs
→oeapng.info: 7.1b Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Ask your adviser for support
*Number of young people starting their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in the year to March 2026. Source: Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
THE EVC MAGAZINE – SUMMER 2026
33
