INTERNATIONAL AWARD (IA)

Pupils may enrol in the IA programme. This is part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Programme. It is designed to give pupils formal recognition of the learning and challenges that they undertake outside the classroom.

There are four sections: developing a skill, service to others, physical recreation and expedition and is divided into 3 levels:

• Bronze

• Silver

• Gold

SOME OF THE KEY IDEAS BEHIND THE AWARD: It is a non-competitive award that is open to all pupils regardless of previous experience or abilities . Each award programme is designed by the pupil and reflects his or her own personal interests and abilities

The Award is voluntary, and pupils must take responsibility for completing the awards themselves Pupils are asked to nominate their own activities Over the course of the award pupils’ progress toward goals, receiving rewards for their efforts The Award aims to recognise a continuous and persistent approach and cannot be completed with a short burst of enthusiasm This enables pupils to reap the rewards of long-term commitment to a goal, thus acting as a point of personal and social development .