COMBINED CADET FORCE

Walker Riverside Academy is fortunate enough to have our own Army Combined Cadet Force, (CCF). 

Our aim is to enable the development of personal responsibility, leadership and self-discipline whilst enrolled onto the programme. 

The CCF is not a recruiting platform for the armed forces. A youth organisation sponsored by the MOD, it is an educational partnership between the Academy and the Ministry of Defence. Our CCF is Army based and we wear the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers cap badge. 

Those students enrolled into the CCF will be called CADETS and will take part in a structured syllabus which covers, navigation, field craft, first aid, drill and turn out, expeditions, keeping active, shooting and weapon handling. 

This is a 3-year process and cadets will be enrolled from Yr9 – Yr11. There are formal qualifications and awards available and each cadet does achieve and receive these as they move through the process. 

The CCF helps give more young people the life skills and self-confidence to take charge of their lives so they can reach their full potential at school and beyond, including in employment. All pupils whatever their background or circumstances should have access to this opportunity.

In a recent MOD press release, they stated that, 

"Schools that have set up cadet units have seen significant benefits for their young people, their schools and the local community. Headteachers tell us that they have seen significant improvement in attendance and behaviour, improvement in attainment, commitment, self-confidence and discipline and that relationships between staff and students have improved.

This creates positive benefits in all areas of school life including the character skills strongly valued by employers such as leadership, teamwork, communication, integrity and career progression."

A great syllabus with enough challenges to keep anyone occupied.