ccf
THE SKINNERS’ SCHOOL CCF
The Skinners’ School CCF has played an important part in the life of the school for over 100 years now. It is one of the oldest CCFs, founded in 1901 as an Officer Training Corps, being one of only 61 Contingents to be found in Maintained Schools, out of a national total of 261.
March Past, Remembrance Sunday 2010
Significant support is provided by the MOD, who see it as providing a disciplined organisation for young people in which they can develop powers of leadership, by means of military-style training to promote the qualities of responsibility, self-reliance, resourcefulness, endurance and perseverance, and a sense of service to the community. It also offers a valuable insight into the role and function of the Armed Forces for those who may wish to make it a career.
At Skinners’ the CCF comprises just an Army Section; in many other contingents all three services are represented. At present there are 205 cadets on the roll, of whom around 50 are Sixth Formers.
Entry takes place at the end of Year 9, initial participation being for two years (to the end of Year 11). In this time the great majority acquire their APC (Army Proficiency Certificate), usually allied with another specialism such as Advanced Infantry, Engineers or Signals.
Typically, around a third of each year’s entry then agrees to continue for a further two years by becoming a Cadet NCO. It is at this stage that cadets undertake a Method of Instruction course (delivered by Regular Soldiers who are members of Cadet Training Teams), which enables them to take on much of the internal organisation and the instruction of younger cadets.
A number of cadets find that service in the CCF usefully complements the work they do elsewhere in the school as members of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. In addition, membership of the CCF, allows Year 12 pupils to supplement their CV by taking on the B-Tec award – a national qualification equivalent to 4 GCSEs at level A-C, which seeks to recognise much of the time spent and training undertaken within the CCF.
Skinners' CCF Band visit to Wellington Barracks, Sept 2010
Officers
OFFICER COMMANDING - Major I A Kelso – Former member of Canadian Reserve Forces, now teaching RE and Latin. Transferred from Surrey ACF in 2006 where he gained significant experience in cadet training.
Major A J Holding – OC 1988-98, 2003-10, has been an officer in the Skinners’ School CCF since 1965. Former Head of Science (Chemistry) now retired from full time teaching, but still supporting all aspects of CCF training.
Major R W Fitzwater – former Deputy Head and Head of Computing, now retired, ran the contingent 1978-1988. A highly experienced officer who does much to help the training of Junior NCOs.
Captain M S Smith – Old Skinner and former CSM – now a Lawyer working for a London firm. Martin joins us for all out-of-school training, including Annual Camp. He is Training Officer for the annual Adventure Training on Dartmoor at Easter.
Lt J R Flanders – Old Skinner and former Cadet Warrant Officer – now a post-doctoral student at Bristol University. Jon takes part in all out-of-school training, including Adventurous Training, Annual Camp and cadet competitions.
Lt R A Pardoe - Old Skinner and former Cadet Warrant Officer – now a research team leader with an electronics firm in Swindon. Richard joins us for all out-of-school training, including Adventurous Training and Annual Camp.
2Lt N Dedman - A versatile teacher at Skinners' who has taught in the Maths, IT and Economics departments. Another valuable member of the team who has had many years in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. Presently helping Major Holding with the recruit platoons.
2Lt T Stanley - Has been a member of staff since 2007 who teaches in the Maths and It departments as well as co-ordinates STEM initiatives within the school. She presently assists Maj Fitzwater in the senior cadets MOI (method of instruction).
Training Opportunities
WEEKLY PARADES – take place at the school on Fridays, 1535-1700. Boys are expected on parade in uniform each week.
FIELD DAYS – one in the Autumn, one in the Spring - a full day out of school for everybody on the local Training Areas (Ashdown Forest and Crowborough Camp). Fieldcraft and map & compass training are the main activities.
Abseiling and Engineers at Crowborough Camp, October 2010
WEEKEND EXERCISES - one in the Autumn (24 hours), using local areas, and one in the Spring (48 hours) with 2 nights in an Army Camp, usually at Folkestone. Range firing is an additional activity here, plus more extensive fieldcraft exercises. Attendance is voluntary; normally attended by 50 cadets or more.
Cadets put through paces on obstacle course at Hythe, March 2011
ANNUAL CAMP
A full week out of school in July, spent at a UK Army Camp, eg. 2011 to Nesscliff (Shropshire) and in 2010 to Wathgill (Yorkshire). Cadet Training Teams particpate in a full range of military and adventure training (eg. rock climbing, kayaking, hill walking) to be undertaken in a different, safe, but challenging environment. Attendance is encouraged, but remains voluntary; attendance varies from 90 to 120 and places are fillied rapidly, plus up to 14 Officers.
Nesscliff 2011
Live firing of the Cadet A2GP rifle on 25m range
Urban Warfare - Paintball Style
Recruits on one of their many command tasks whilst on self reliance
Senior COY enjoy a rest during their 48 hour exercise
All smiles as the cadets return to camp on a Merlin helicopter flown by Capt Charlie Young, a former Skinners' cadet.
Final Parade on Nesscliff 2011
ADVENTUROUS TRAINING
A week spent on Dartmoor during the Easter holiday. Training is non-military, comprising map & compass, hill walking, camping, expedition work, rock climbing. Available only to Junior NCOs, numbers attending are usually 12 – 16. The objective being to develope the Junior NCO's leadership skills and teamwork.
Red-a-Ven campsite on 24 hr exercise
Sailing and Windsurfing at Roadford reservoir
We are going up WHERE?????
Somewhere on Dartmoor!
Dartmoor 2011
COURSES
A wide range of courses, largely funded by MOD, are available to cadets from Year 11 and above. These include Signals, Leadership, PT, Rock Climbing, Cooking, Parachuting, Kayaking.
Web links to courses:
Cadet Training Centre, Frimley Park - www.ctcfrimleypark.army.org.uk
Adventure Training courses (Army) - www.armycadetadventure.info
Royal Navy CCF Website - http://www.rncom.mod.uk/templates/CCFRN.cfm?id=1171&
BTec - www.cvqo.org
MAIN TRAINING DATES 2012-13
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2012
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September 29 - 30
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CADSAM Shooting competition at Pirbright
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October 6 - 7
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Weekend Exercise in Pippingford Park
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October 19
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Field Day
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2013
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March 2 - 3
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Weekend Exercise at St Martin’s Plain Camp, Folkestone. Application letter attached
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March 15
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Field Day
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March 28 - April 4
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Adventurous Training for JNCOs on Dartmoor, based at Okehampton Camp
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| June 9 |
Bisley Shoot |
| June 29 - July 5 |
Annual Camp |
PAGES/LINKS:
For more general service information:
The Royal Navy and Royal Marines - http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/
The Royal Air Force - http://www.raf.mod.uk
The Army - http://www.army.mod.uk/
Army careers -www.armyofficer.mod.uk
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