DofE Expeditions for Schools in South East England
Learn Outdoors is a national Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) Approved Activity Provider (AAP) delivering Bronze, Silver and Gold DofE expeditions for schools across England and Wales. We have a strong focus on delivering DofE expeditions in South East England, supporting schools in areas including Surrey, Kent, Greater London, East Sussex, West Sussex and Hampshire.
Schools searching for a DofE expedition provider in South East England choose Learn Outdoors for our experience, reliability and understanding of the specific needs of schools in the region. We deliver school DofE expeditions in the South East that are well organised, fully compliant with DofE requirements and tailored to each group.
Full DofE Expedition Support for South East Schools
We provide full DofE expedition services for schools in South East England, including:
- DofE expedition training and preparation
- Route planning and navigation training
- Campsite bookings and land access coordination
- Practice and qualifying DofE expeditions
- Fully qualified DofE instructors and supervisors
- Accredited assessment and expedition sign-off
Our South East DofE expeditions are designed to be safe, challenging and rewarding, supporting young people to successfully complete their Award. Discover more about whats included in your DofE expedition.
OTHER PACKAGE OPTIONS
DofE EXPEDITION PACKAGE OPTIONS
Learn Outdoors offers flexible DofE expedition packages, allowing schools to choose the level of support that best suits their staff experience, resources and budget.
Package options include:
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Full-service expeditions (with or without tents and stoves): We manage planning, training, campsites, instructors, assessors and expedition logistics, with equipment available where required.
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In-school expeditions with partial support: Schools lead expedition logistics, equipment and staffing, with Learn Outdoors providing additional qualified instructors where required to support safe and effective delivery.
We are happy to tailor DofE expedition packages to your needs. Talk to us about the level of involvement you’d like us to provide.
Why Choose Learn Outdoors?
Why Schools in the South East Choose Learn Outdoors for DofE
Schools choose Learn Outdoors as their DofE expedition provider in South East England because we are a nationally recognised DofE Approved Activity Provider and offer:
- Straightforward pricing
- Extensive experience delivering DofE expeditions across the South East of England
- Reduced travel distances for Surrey, Kent, London, Sussex and Hampshire schools
- Carefully selected routes suitable for Bronze and Silver DofE expeditions
- Clear progression to Gold DofE expeditions elsewhere in the UK
- Fully qualified instructors, course directors and accredited DofE assessors
- A dedicated office team to support you before, during and after your expedition
We work in close partnership with school DofE coordinators to ensure every expedition meets both educational and logistical requirements.
To find out more about what sets us apart visit our Why Choose Us page.
Areas We Regularly Work In
Areas of South East England We Regularly Work In
Learn Outdoors regularly delivers DofE expeditions for schools in:
- Surrey
- Kent
- Greater London
- East Sussex
- West Sussex
- Hampshire
If your school is outside the South East, we also deliver DofE expeditions nationwide across England and Wales.
Bronze, Silver and Gold DofE Expeditions
Bronze, Silver and Gold DofE Expeditions
We regularly deliver:
- Bronze DofE expeditions in South East England – ideal for schools introducing students to expeditioning
- Silver DofE expeditions in the South East – offering appropriate challenge and progression
- Gold DofE expeditions – delivered nationally, often following Bronze and Silver expeditions completed locally in the South East
Many schools choose to complete Bronze and Silver DofE expeditions near their school in the South East before travelling further afield for Gold.
DofE Expedition Provider for South East England Schools
As an established UK-wide DofE provider, we work with secondary schools, academies and youth organisations looking for a trusted DofE expedition company in the South East of England.
Our teams frequently deliver:
Bronze DofE expeditions in the South East
Silver DofE expeditions in Surrey, Kent and Sussex
DofE expeditions near London for schools seeking reduced travel time
This regular delivery means we are familiar with suitable expedition areas, access arrangements and logistics commonly required by South East England schools
FAQs
How accessible are your South East England expedition areas by train?
Our main expedition areas in the South East are all accessible by public transport, making logistics simple for schools travelling from London and surrounding counties.
For example:
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The South Downs National Park has multiple train stations along its northern edge, including Lewes, Hassocks and Petersfield.
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The Surrey Hills National Landscape is well served by stations such as Dorking and Gomshall.
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The Ashdown Forest is accessible via nearby stations including East Grinstead and Uckfield.
We’re happy to advise on the best travel plan for your group.
Is the terrain wild enough for a DofE expedition?
Yes — the South East offers terrain that is more than suitable for Bronze and Silver DofE expeditions.
Areas such as the South Downs National Park, Surrey Hills National Landscape and Ashdown Forest provide:
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Rolling hills with sustained climbs
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Open ridgelines and expansive views
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Woodland navigation challenges
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Varied terrain including farmland, bridleways and downland
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Sections with limited phone signal and a genuine sense of remoteness
For Bronze, the landscape is ideal, challenging enough to feel like a true expedition, but not too mountainous or overwhelming for first-time participants.
For Silver, longer distances and more complex navigation across mixed terrain provide an excellent level of stretch and independence.
For Gold, we typically operate in more remote and mountainous regions of the UK, most commonly in Wales in the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) or the Cambrian Mountains where the increased remoteness and mountain environment are particularly well suited to Gold-level expeditions.
This approach ensures each level of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has the right balance of challenge, safety and progression.
Are there road crossings?
All routes are risk-assessed in advance. Where road crossings are unavoidable, they are:
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Minimal
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Carefully chosen
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Briefed thoroughly with teams
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Supervised appropriately where required
We prioritise quieter lanes and bridleways wherever possible.
What happens if the weather is poor?
The South East generally experiences milder conditions than many other UK regions, but we plan for all weather scenarios.
Our instructors:
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Monitor forecasts closely
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Adjust routes if necessary
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Ensure safe camping locations
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Provide clear emergency procedures
Challenging weather can actually enhance the expedition learning experience, building resilience, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
How challenging are the hills in the South East?
The South East offers rolling hills rather than steep mountain ascents. In areas such as the South Downs National Park and Surrey Hills National Landscape, participants encounter steady climbs, exposed ridgelines and rewarding descents.
Get In Touch
Contact Learn Outdoors to discuss your school’s DofE programme, location and award level requirements.
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