Tudor Grange Academies Trust had 3/6 of the very first state schools in the area to have a CCF via the Cadet Expansion Programme. The Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP) was launched on Armed Forces Day in June 2012 by the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister with the aim to deliver 100 new cadet units in English state-funded schools by September 2015.

This CEP target was reached 6 months early in March 2015 and following this achievement, the government committed an extra £50 million from LIBOR fines to further increase the number of cadet units in schools across the UK, bringing the total number to 500 by 2020.

The CEP is part of the Government’s aim of promoting military ethos in schools; to instill values in young people that will help them get the most out of their lives, and to contribute to their communities and country. This means pupils developing qualities such as self-discipline, loyalty and respect, strong leadership, teamwork and resilience which will help them achieve excellence and shape their own future. The programme focuses on Combined Cadet Force units ensuring that as many pupils from a state school have the chance to experience the life-enriching activities of military cadets as part of school life – this mirrors the military activity offered in many of the best independent schools in the country.

While the first 100 new CEP units were demand-led, the current phase of expansion running up to 2020 has a more targeted approach, with priority given to those in less affluent areas and in areas where there is currently limited access to the cadet experience. The Cadet Expansion Joint Team is also particularly interested in certain types of educational establishments such as those with post-16 provision (including Multi-Academy Trusts with sixth form provision).

In September 2015 the Combined Cadet Force started at Tudor Grange Academy Worcester and in September 2016 at both Tudor Grange Academy Redditch and Solihull. Also in 2017 Tudor Grange Samworth started their CCF although under a different Brigade area.

Students have the opportunity to join the Combined Cadet force when they are in year 8 which runs after school once a week until 4.45pm on the school site and is headed at Redditch, Worcester and Solihull by Lt Peil.SSI, the school staff instructor and CCF manager and at Leicester by 2Lt Bell. We also receive support from the Cadet Training Team on a weekly basis.

The activities our cadets take part in have a military theme, others have more of a community focus but they all inspire young people to challenge their limits, become more independent, confident and able to step up to any challenge. Through structured, military themed and adventurous activities, cadets take responsibility and develop the qualities of self-reliance, resourcefulness, endurance, perseverance and a clear understanding of service to their country and their community. These are personal qualities, which will remain of value throughout the cadets’ lives and will undoubtedly assist in the early stages of their chosen careers.

Each year cadets have the opportunity to attend one of several centrally controlled camps, often held at MOD establishments with many offering National Governing Body certificates. These camps offer the cadets the chance to experience life on a military base, but alongside their peers and teachers.

Cadets have the chance to take part in climbing, first aid training, navigation, rifle shooting, mountaineering and drill. During the summer camps and weekends away they have further opportunities to take part in other military themed activities.

FAQ

It is a youth organisation sponsored by the Ministry of Defence.

Students will attend once a week immediately after school.

Currently we are affiliated with the Army although we plan to expand this in the following years.

There are no costs for joining the CCF but students are expected to provide their own Army boots and there is a small cost charged for attending some weekend activities and summer camp.

Whilst the CCF will give a flavour of life within the Armed services, it does not automatically qualify them to join. If they wish to join when they leave school, they would need to follow the normal application process.

An army uniform will be loaned to students free of charge. They are then expected to wear it to school on parade days.

Students will have the chance to take part in a range of activities at many different locations. The annual army camp takes place at an army base and is one week-long. Weekends away, of which there will be 2 or 3, will be in different locations and not necessarily at an army base.

Tudor Academy CCF cadets will develop a range of skills, which will develop their confidence, resilience and leadership qualities. These skills will be developed through a range of activities including climbing, mountaineering, First Aid, Military drill, rifle firing.