Barnard Castle School CCF

COMBINED CADET FORCE

WELCOME FROM THE CONTINGENT COMMANDER

They may not think it at the time, especially if they have been chosen to play the role of platoon commander and the pressure is on; or abseiling down a cliff face for the first time in the pouring rail - but by stretching their elastic bands ever so slightly and taking them out of their comfort zones during both military and adventurous training activities, these ‘character building’ moments are wholeheartedly developing each cadet’s spirit, resilience and enrichment.

The nationwide aim of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is to "provide a disciplined organisation in a school so that pupils may develop powers of leadership by means of training to promote the qualities of responsibility, self-reliance, resourcefulness, endurance and perseverance". I agree that the cadets certainly fulfil all of these skills during their CCF career and these skills complement any pathway that they wish to follow after life at Barney.

We are a hugely successful contingent and without fail are always seen competing with upbeat vigour and determination in the many competitions that litter the CCF calendar. Glowing reports in our Biennial Inspections only verify that cadets are receiving an excellent cadet experience; they are being recognised and promoted, where necessary for their improvement in abilities, they are gaining vocational qualifications, but most importantly they are learning many lifelong skills whilst they are with us – the basis of character education.

If I had to summarise the CCF in one word, it would be opportunity. It offers the cadets a chance to engage in a tremendously wide variety of activities, to learn new skills, to explore and expand their mental and physical horizons and be part of something truly exceptional. And as a former cadet myself, I can only verify how true this is.

Lt Col Connor Contingent Commander Barnard Castle School CCF

From 1883, pupils took part in military training in preparation for being transferred to their respective regiment. In 1909, the Junior Officers' Training Corps was then established and in 1948 all OTCs were superseded by the Combined Cadet Forces.

Fast forward to the present day, and we currently form part of 4th Infantry Brigade, affiliated to the Rifles Regiment and to date with both an Army and RAF section, we have almost 200 cadets on the nominal roll along with 10 cadet force adult volunteers and three civilian instructors, which makes us the largest voluntary contingent within the North East.

Barnard Castle School CCF is the 13th oldest cadet force in the country.

Cadets undertake a wide range of training, learning how to analyse problems, manage resources, develop communication skills and how to lead and motivate others.

The Core Values of the Combined Cadet Force are:

Respect for others Integrity

Loyalty

Selfless Commitment

These values develop throughout a cadet's journey within the CCF. Working as part of a section and looking out for one another during team building activities certainly instils these core values.

Each CCF is an educational partnership between the school and the Ministry of Defence. The CCF at Barney School includes an Army and Royal Air Force Section.

We parade once a week during Monday Service Time, where cadets engage in a range of classroom based lessons and outdoor training. Cadets are able to select which section they would like to be part of, and although separate training is mostly carried out, the sections do come together to train together too.

Cadets work towards achieving syllabus badges and promotions as they develop their knowledge, self-reliance, responsibility and leadership skills.

Cadets within the Army section follow the Army Proficiency Syllabus which they progress through each academic year.

Recruit (Year 9) – Basic and 1 Star Syllabus

• Drill and Turnout

• Military Knowledge

• Skill at Arms – cadet GP rifle

• Map and Compass

• Fieldcraft

• First Aid

• Communications and Information Systems

Junior Cadet (Year 10) – 2 Star Syllabus

• Affiliated Regimental History

• Rifle Drill

• First Aid

• Community Engagement

• Communications and Information Systems

• Navigation

• Fieldcraft

Senior Cadet (Year 11) – 3 Star Syllabus

• CFIT (Cadet Forces Instructional Techniques)

• Teaching Practices

• Military Knowledge

• First Aid

• Navigation

• Leadership

Master Cadet (Year 12 and 13) – 4 Star Syllabus

• Teaching

• First Aid

• Navigation

• Fieldcraft

• Delivering Orders

• Model Making

• Leadership and Development

Cadets within the RAF section follow the Progressive Training Syllabus which they proceed through each academic year.

Year 9 – First Class Cadet

• Drill and Turnout

• Flying Operations

• Skill at Arms – cadet GP rifle

• First Aid

• Map Reading

• Basic Radio Comms

Year 10 – Leading Cadet

• Airmanship Knowledge

• Basic Navigation

Year 11 – MOI and Leadership

• MOI (Methods of Instruction) Training

• First Aid

• Navigation

Year 12 and 13 – Senior Cadet

• Community Engagement

• Cyber Awareness

• Airmanship Knowledge

We offer a number of range days throughout the academic calendar. Once cadets have completed their weapon handling test on the cadet GP rifle, they are able to hone in on their marksmanship principles and fire the rifle on local ranges.

Residential training weekends are one of the highlights of the CCF calendar.

BATTLE OF BARNEY

TRAINING IN BUILT-UP AREAS (TIBUA)

BARNEY REMEMBERS WEEKEND

RAF cadets have the opportunity to take part in AEF days at RAF Leeming and RAF Topcliffe.

Flying takes place at RAF Leeming. Cadets fly the Grob Tutor, a single engine aircraft where they carry out basic manoeuvres such as level flight, turns, climbs, and descents. All cadets gain their First Flight Certificate for their first time in the air.

Gliding takes place at RAF Topcliffe under the tutelage of 645 Volunteers Gliding Squadron, where cadets have the opportunity to engage in ground duties, principles of flight as well as flying the twin seat Viking T mark 1 gliders.

REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE

CELEBRATION OF YOUTH

TEESDALE AVIATION DAY

FORMAL DINNER EVENINGS

BIENNIAL INSPECTION

Over the course of the year and within their CCF curriculums and training, cadets also take part in a range of competitions, which are excellent opportunities to put their skills into action.

Events include RFCA Indoor Shooting, RFCA Tri Climb, Exercise Cambrian Patrol and Brigade First Aid competitions, to name just a few.

CENTRAL CAMP

Annual Camp is the highlight of the year for cadets and take place at one of the centrally organised national CCF camps for one week straight after the end of the summer term. Although they are not compulsory, they do give the cadets an excellent opportunity to put into practice the syllabus based training that they have learned throughout the year. The camps have a good balance of both military and adventurous training activities with the emphasis being that of fun, purposeful and engaging activities.

In recent years, cadets from Barney's CCF have achieved several prestigious honours, including the highly-coveted Master Cadet status, being named Lord-Lieutenant's Cadets and receiving Certificates of Good Service.

Additionally, cadets who join in Year 9 are automatically enrolled in the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. The main aim of this initiative is to emphasise that all the activities and skills learned on a weekly basis during parade afternoons, plus attending one of the residential weekends will count towards gaining an additional award.

The BTEC Level 2 Award in Personal Development and Teamwork is a very popular qualification that the Year 12 cadets are invited to complete. It is run in addition to the busy CCF training programme in the Michaelmas Term and is a student lead qualification which gains them a 60 credit certified diploma.

Cadets also undertake adventurous training, which is an important part of the training syllabus for all CCF sections. As well as getting out and exploring new places, adventurous training is a great way to develop personal skills such as leadership, teamwork, and self-confidence. The aim of it is to complete a variety of activities to enhance confidence, to aid personal development and to improve unit cohesion as a whole.

The CCF is not a recruiting organisation, but it is inevitable that through our links with the Regular Forces, cadets will be exposed to the challenges presented by a career with them. The qualities of leadership we hope to develop, should of course be useful to any Barney pupil. Complementing our CCF syllabus and structure, we often welcome decorated commissioned officers to our School for insightful lectures too.

COMBINED CADET FORCE