A report out today says the potential for using The Duke of Edinburgh's award scheme in schools is "very significant indeed" and urges councils to work with the charity which runs it to ensure that all young people in Scotland have the chance to take part.
The report, from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) was commissioned by the Scottish Government in January.
Inspectors were asked to review the work of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme (DofE), which involves teenagers in personal development work at three levels, bronze, silver and gold, encompassing physical and skills challenges, volunteering and an expedition.
HMIE looked at the work of the DofE in Edinburgh, Hamilton, Alloa, Alva, Callander and Perth among others. Ground-breaking projects in Perth Prison which has run two Bronze groups and the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, where the award is used with young people who have mental health issues, were included in the study.
Today's report praises the scheme - which is franchised' to local authorities and other providers. HMIE says that it can contribute to the development of work under the Curriculum for Excellence in schools saying that a key strength is the "contribution to the development in young people of their capacities as successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens". These are the four capacities' prioritised under the new more flexible curriculum.
"Young people involved in DofE programmes are gaining important skills from their experiences. All young people met by inspectors reported increased confidence and self-esteem and importantly are developing independence, self-reliance and resilience," the report notes. "There are numerous examples of young people achieving important skills for life and work."
HMIE also comments favourably on the ability of the scheme to involve marginalised and disaffected young people. Under the programme, truants, young offenders and children with additional learning support needs are among those who are benefiting, the report says. However it indicates a need for effective targeting to ensure that groups such as young people leaving care can participate.
"Some young people with additional learning support needs are being reached by the DofE through its traditional work, but the extent of this is not known," inspectors add.
The report warns of funding challenges due to the recession and pressure on local authority spending, but says that local authorities should try to embed the scheme into their single outcome agreements with central government. "The potential contribution of the DofE, particularly as Curriculum for Excellence develops across Scotland is very significant indeed," it concludes.
The report was welcomed by Barry Fisher, DofE director for Scotland, who said it was an endorsement of the hard work of 5000 volunteers, leaders and staff across Scotland.
Regarding targeting, he pointed out that provision of the awards scheme had become a selling point for private schools, who often advertise it in prospectuses and other material for parents.
"But when it started out it was for young people who were not engaging in education. There is a degree of myth busting we would like to do," he said.
At present the scheme is run in 66% of state secondary schools, and inspectors had seen very different models including curriculum for excellence based approaches in South Ayrshire, Highlands and East Lothian, as well as work with schools in Dundee and Moray.
Each is taking a different approach, with Dornoch Academy in the Highlands employing a full-time youth worker, while a huge amount of willing parental support is involved in the South Ayrshire scheme. Other schools have used time set aside for Personal and Social Education (PSE) to introduce the scheme.
"This HMIE review is great for us because it does allow us to say this is what Curriculum for Excellence could look like for your school," Fisher said.
However the whole school approach throws up challenges for DofE, which is traditionally voluntary and done in small groups. "An essential principle is that it is voluntary and that the offer is there for young people but they can still step out at any time," he added.
The outdoor expedition component can prove challenging for schools to manage as well as for young people - of those who don't do DofE 70% cite the expedition as the reason why they are not keen.
"There are challenges around taking a whole school year group away," Fisher says. "But what we have shown now is that five different schools we have worked closely with have done it in five different ways."
Fisher said he was also delighted that inspectors had recognised that the award could contribute to another government policy agenda, Getting it Right for Every Child.
To coincide with the report's publication, the DofE enters the digital age today, with the switch on of an electronic replacement for the old log book which was kept by participants. From now on, award entrants will be able to keep track of their progress online with a blog allowing photos, comments and a form of secure social networking.
