- Participants can start their Bronze DofE programme when they are in the school year in which they turn 14
- Participants can start their Silver DofE programme when they are in the school year in which they turn 15.
- They must already be 16 before they can start their Gold DofE programme.
- Within DofE rules, the school year starts on August 1st.
- Participants can be enrolled up to 8 weeks prior to this but cannot start their sections until that date.