Glyn-Freemen's Joint CCF

The Glyn-Freemen’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is a unique partnership between a State and Independent school, set up as a new venture in both schools simultaneously.

Aims

The CCF is a ministry of defence sponsored youth organisation whose core values of teamwork, self-reliance, leadership, communication, and citizenship are at the heart of activities. The CCF has two sections, an RAF section and an Army section and each takes part in training appropriate to their section.

Background

What makes this CCF unique is that both Freemen’s and Glyn schools had no previous experience of CCF. Most of the other schools involved in the cadet expansion programme saw state schools partnering with existing CCFs in independent schools. For us, both schools were starting from scratch.

Resources

Freemen’s provides the open space and facilities to train, and Glyn school brings pupils and staff. The Contingent Commander is a teacher at Glyn School.

Camps have taken place all over the UK; the RAF section have been flying at RAF Benson, the Army section have camped at Swynnerton and Longmoor bases, where they have taken part in various shooting activities, and section attacks. The CCF has also taken part in Open Canoe expeditions for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme along the Wey navigations and Basingstoke Canal. An international camp was held in Spain and furtherer adventurous training has taken place in Snowdonia and the Peak District.

Impact

The CCF has grown from strength to strength and continues to provide strong links between Glyn and Freemen’s schools. In a recent official inspection the CCF was praised by Col. Dennison, Colonel Cadets for London District, for its achievements in its first three years.

Pupil Involvement

Each year more students - boys and girls - have been added to the original 20, and we now boast a contingent of 65 cadets and 7 staff. 

The CCF has also forged links with other local school CCFs. We link with St John’s school CCF to share weapons and use of their shooting range. We have links to Wilson’s School in Sutton, with whom we have run a joint leadership camp for older cadets.

Frequency

CCF meets weekly at Freemen's. It is an ongoing venture.