Placements & Residentials

DofE Residentials

We deliver a Reptile Ranger Residential Programme with activities designed to meet the requirements for the Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award Residential section as well as other initiatives like University AHEMS. This is a 5-day, 4-night residential running Monday - Friday in the heart of the New Forest, between our Education Centre in Dorset and New Forest Lodge. This programme also facilitates non-DofE participants such as veterinary, biology and animal management students. All participants must be 16-24. For Safeguarding and Animal Welfare Law reasons, we do not accept Gold DofE participants who are 15 years old and in the school year that they would turn 16.  

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The Reptile Academy and our Reptile Ranger Residential Programme was approved by the DofE in 2022 covering delivery up until Easter 2025. We have made the decision to operate independently from May 2025 and not renew our Approved Activity Provider (AAP) status. The current programme however remains largely unchanged to the programme that was approved (only additions and improvements). 

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We remain very passionate about the DofE and continue to support all young people embarking on this great journey.

Benefits of this now include some updates to our 2026 programme that can be more inclusive as an interdisciplinary opportunity for a wide variety of young people joining us from different backgrounds, as well as maintaining lower operating costs and therefore fees we pass on as we are a not-for-profit organisation run by unpaid volunteers.

This has also allowed our programme to be more relevant to our other key partners including the Royal Society of Biology, ASDAN, AQA and our Alternative Provision Framework and Networks across Hampshire Council, Dorset Council and BCP Council with respect to the highest standards of education, professional integrity and commitment to safeguarding of young people in our care.
 

So, out of attending one residential with a shared goal of furthering exotic species animal care knowledge and skills, participants can achieve:

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> Completion of the Residential Section of the DofE;

> AND/OR Completion of Veterinary AHEMS or other university or college placement requirements

> AND A written reference to support university, work and UCAS applications 

> AND An RSB-accredited Certification to show CPD

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PLUS NEW FOR 2026

> A choice from the ASDAN Activities & Residential Short Course Certification and AQA Unit Awards up to Level 3 (Advanced Level Standards)

​This activity may count towards the completion of the Residential section of the DofE. Please check with your DofE Leader before booking. 

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The Reptile Academy Volunteer Team will verify this approval with young people or their parents before payment/securing the place, and provide information so that the DofE Leader can evaluate how our Reptile Ranger Residential Programme does meet the requirements for this Section of the Award. ​​​​​​

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We currently have limited availability for 2026 dates. Please contact us on education@reptileacademy.co.uk or call 02380 394174 to enquire or book. 

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