Prep School Cadets

CCF is a hugely popular activity at senior schools across the country. Normally, prep school pupils are too young to get involved, but Carl Lander of St Aubyn's School explains how he set up a thriving Cadet Corps.
PHOTO: ST AUBYN'S SCHOOL

Many people glancing through this article will already be familiar with the virtues of Cadets. There are few senior schools in the independent sector that do not take full advantage of the opportunities and experiences that can be derived from a cadet unit. Indeed, many such schools make it a compulsory activity. Whilst this is taken as the norm in secondary education and its virtues extolled by many Heads, what of preparatory schools? If it is so beneficial and keenly encouraged, would preparatory pupils too not benefit from chances to develop, for example, confidence, discipline, responsibility, teamwork and leadership? After all, the Scouts introduced the Cub Scouts, the Girl Guides introduced the Brownies, so why did no version of a Cadet CCF unit exist for preparatory pupils? Two years ago I found myself asking this very question and at the time thought I must be the only one.

In searching for my answer I turned initially to the CCF. At the time, Gordon Brown had just encouraged the CCF to become much more inclusive, widening its membership base and also branching out to state schools. I thought it a good opportunity to present my ideas to the CCF hierarchy. However my call came at a time when the under-resourced and under-financed CCF was struggling to maintain the current service, let alone extend it. Consequently, I was not surprised when an enthusiastic and helpful Lieutenant Commander explained that current resources could not be extended in my direction without limiting it in others. Whilst dejected, I of course understood. A similar response was gleaned from the community-based Cadet associations of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Our local regiment, the 68th Signal Squadron, stepped into the breach and, whilst initially assisting us in getting things fully organised, put us into contact with the Frimley & Camberley Cadet Corps (F&CCC). After an initial discussion it became clear that the F&CCC had been doing exactly what we wanted to do, but had been doing it since 1903. They are an independent unit taking children from 6 years old all the way through until 18. They have an established syllabus and schemes of work and, of course, have faced and conquered all the issues that we were facing. To say we received a warm welcome is a massive understatement. The F&CCC and its Colonel soon plugged us into the network it had taken them many years to establish. Papers were drawn up and so we became the official London detachment of the F&CCC, whilst retaining the independence to run and manage our own affairs. To my surprise we were not the first unit to affiliate with the F&CCC, which has an established national and international community.

Since our affiliation with the F&CCC we have continued to be very well supported and whilst we had previously had setbacks, which we had doggedly plodded on through, with the advice and support of the F&CCC, its extended family the Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment (PWRR), we soon became a fully operation cadet unit. Indeed, as an established unit we seem to have become very much a part of the furnishings and our struggle to start all but a distant memory.

I have no doubts that many individuals will be wondering why this development had not been seen in preparatory schools many years ago and I, of course, would be one of those. What is important is that it has happened now and so the scene has been set. In a bid to help extend this further I have sought to outline a few key points that may assist, although I hope this article has thrown up many more questions than are answered in these few words. A Cadet Unit for Years 5-8 in preparatory schools gives an excellent opportunity for Heads to provide a unique and lasting experience and an aspect of continuity for the benefit of our pupils and those schools to which they progress.

But what has been the reaction from staff and parents? I asked a few of them for their comments:

Parent & Volunteer Helper, Mrs E. Blewett: 'Both my son and daughter have been involved with the cadets. I was initially surprised as it was not the sort of activity I thought they would choose to do. Both of them have enjoyed different aspects of the training. I do not know how Captain Lander does it, but I wish I could get them to spend as much time tidying their rooms and looking after their clothes, as they spend ironing and sewing their uniform and polishing their boots. I have also had the opportunity to help out using my knowledge of navigation and maps to assist the Cadets. It was good fun and I got to meet and work with a variety of children. I would recommend it as a parent.'

Parent, Mr S. Broomfield: 'I am a former serviceman and highly value military-style training for the respect, independence, teamwork and discipline it instils. The St Aubyn's Cadet Corps manages to do this in a fun and adventurous way. My youngest daughter is only in Year 3 and constantly tells me how unfair it is that her brother gets to do it and not her. She is very much looking forward to getting into Year 5 so she too can join.'

Adult Volunteer Instructor & Former Pupil, Sgt Jade Haron: 'As a former cadet myself I have seen the benefits one can gain from being a member of the Cadets. The opportunities available are endless. The cadet syllabus can also help them in their curricular activities, the map and compass and navigation work can help to improve geography skills and PT works hand in hand with Physical Education. Drill can improve a cadets' discipline and willingness to work in a team whilst field craft introduces the cadets to the outdoors in a disciplined and safe manner. Overall, I thoroughly enjoy the work I do with the cadets and it is pleasant to be able to see the improvements in the cadets' behaviour, attitude and ability.'

Headmaster of St Aubyn's School, Mr G. James: 'The personal development of our pupils is always one of the main aims of our school. The cadet unit provides an excellent opportunity, for instance, for children to learn to work together and to develop both leadership and, equally important, 'follower-ship' skills. Let's not forget sheer enjoyment, too! Most pupils are good at most activities - the only problem becomes one of over-commitment - but I can think of individual pupils who have found a real niche in the cadet corps in a way that has added tremendously to their whole-school experience and sense of themselves. It's this that has given me most pleasure. Then there's the added bonus of becoming a Commander-in-Chief....!'

Captain C. P. Lander is the Officer Commanding St Aubyn's School Army Cadet Corps, Woodford Green, London.

 

Setting up a Cadet Force: Issues of Health, Safety, Insurance and Activities

If you were to map out all the activities to be undertaken by cadets, you would be unsurprised to find that many of them are already covered in existing policies and risk assessments. Certainly navigation and compass work is nothing new to the 11+ and 13+ Geography curriculum and activities such as walking, rock climbing and sailing have long since been undertaken by most P.E. departments. If your school does not have an annual camp or residential, some new work might have to be undertaken to carry out such an activity, however, most schools will already undertake these and so have completed risk assessments and policies already in place.

Perhaps one area of our Cadet activities, that demands more scrutiny than others is that of Air Rifle marksmanship. Indeed most governors eyebrows would raise at the prospect. However it is worth bearing in mind that the Scouts Association also have a 'Master of Arms' badge and many of its groups undertake clay pigeon, rifle and shotgun training, with younger members taking Air Rifle training. Whilst not fashionable at the moment, marksmanship with an air rifle offers much less risk than many activities already undertaken by the school and there is a large amount of support that schools can receive from the National Small Bore Rife Association including staff training.

At this point it is also worth speaking with you school bursar and finding out what activities are covered by the school's insurance. We found that all activities that could be undertaken by cadets were already covered and no amendment to our policy was required.

Funding & Qualifications

Whilst the CCF and its related community cadet associations receive government funding, no such luxury is currently available for independent groups. Various models exist including weekly 'subs', annual membership and, in our case, a one-off membership. In addition our P.T.A has assisted with the purchase of equipment and the headmaster has provided a small budget. Whilst this has meant we have had more than ample funds, the importance of the extended cadet community cannot be over-emphasised, as most people will appreciate the benefits to pupils and so support such a venture.

Whilst enthusiastic teaching staff generally forms the body of the cadet unit, we have found that former pupils and parents offer a rich source of relevant experience. Making sure volunteer staff are qualified has budgetary considerations and meeting them may come under CPD budgets for staff or the extra curricular budget. Courses are not cheap but volunteers gain extra skills and the benefit to the school is immediate. There are various courses that cover most of what cadets do, such as the 'Basic Expedition Leaders Award' (BELA) that is also the minimal qualification for running the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. However if you wish to deliver, within school, Air Rifle or other particular activities you will need to make sure staff are suitably qualified with the National Governing Body qualifications such as level 1 coach/tutor awards. The good news is that these are readily available, run throughout the year and relatively cheap when compared to INSET.

Should you require any further information or assistance, it can be obtained by contacting using the contact details below or, indeed, Lieutenant Colonel R. Shepherd of the F&CCC on 01276 508251.

Captain C.P. Lander (Officer Commanding), St Aubyn's School Army Cadet Corps St Aubyn's School, Bunces Lane, Woodford Green, IG8 9DU. Tel: 020 8504 1577 www.staubyns-cadetcorps.org.uk or email armycadets@staubyns.com

This article first appeared in the Summer 2010 issue of Attain.