The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is a tri-service Ministry of Defence sponsored youth organisation based in schools and colleges throughout the UK. Its aim is to “provide a disciplined organisation within 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”. The CCF was created on 1 April 1948, it is not a “Pre-Service Organisation” though it is supported by all three branches of the Armed Forces.
Bournemouth School CCF runs after school each Friday and has over 200 members, accepts recruits from Bournemouth School for Girls and The Bishop of Winchester Academy and has three sections, Army, Navy and RAF. It is a purely voluntary and highly popular activity; students are able to join their chosen section after Remembrance Sunday in Year 9.
Each section has links with its regular branch of the armed forces and field days, flying days and visits are organised to help develop the Cadet’s resourcefulness, leadership and self reliance.
As well as the above there are also annual camps run in various locations all over the country. These camps can be based on both military skills and adventurous training; they help prepare Cadets for future challenges as well as helping to foster self discipline, determination and personal integrity. Individual cadets are also able to attend other courses which help to broaden their leadership and communication skills, and life experience.
During Friday CCF training the cadets may undertake, fitness training and testing, drill, patrolling, fieldcraft, flying theory, skill at arms, rope work and command tasks to name a few. The annual training calendar for the CCF is full and varied and gives the cadets the opportunity to undertake a myriad of activities that many would otherwise be unable to access; if the pupil has the time and they want a challenge then the CCF is the ideal extra-curricular activity.
Sept – Dec
Adventurous Training, Field day, Remembrance Parade, new recruit intake, various residential training courses.
Jan –Apr
Adventurous Training, Ten Tors Training, Annual Inspection Day, Dorset Challenge.
Apr-August
Ten Tors Expedition, CCF Central Camp, RAF Section Camp, National Radio Network Competition, Adventurous Training.