CCF
This is without doubt the best start to their education we could have wished for.
Linda Grierson
The Combined Cadet Force is a partnership between schools and the Ministry of Defence. Barnard Castle School CCF aims to develop powers of leadership and promote qualities of responsibility, self-reliance, resourcefulness, endurance and perseverance. The CCF benefits from military training expertise, the use of service facilities for camps, training weekends, visits and courses. The CCF can help a cadet achieve the required standards whilst completing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
The Contingent strength varies with the size of the year’s intake, but is usually between 140 and 160 cadets. Pupils can opt to join in the summer term of their year 9 and are expected to fulfil their commitment to the CCF until the end of their Year 11. Pupils then have a choice to leave or stay and help in the running of the programme as NCO's. In Year 9 cadets work together and then split into either Army or RAF sections as they enter Year 10. Membership helps cadets to promote teamwork, initiative, discipline and leadership and offers opportunities to take part in a range of activities such as climbing, flying, gliding, camping orienteering, canoeing, small bore and full bore shooting, mountaineering and adventurous training.
The School Contingent has its own indoor rifle range that gives pupils the experience of small bore shooting under safe and rigidly controlled conditions.
Commanding Officer: Maj C E Hall
Adventure Training 2011
As the majority of the School were enjoying a well earned Easter break, 12 cadets and 3 members of staff we busy loading up the minibuses with what looked like enough kit, equipment and food to supply an army going into battle. With the minibuses loaded, we set off towards Keswick for a week of adventure training.
On arriving at Derwentwater Youth Hostel, the cadets quickly settled into their new surroundings and explored the grounds. After an evening meal and briefing from the staff, the cadets enjoyed a very relaxed night, playing football, pool and table tennis.
The next day, the weather had made a turn for the worse and the heavens opened. Luckily for the cadets, they day was to be spent at Derwentwater marina, so they were going to get wet anyway. The cadets enjoyed sailing, canoeing and kayaking, and despite it being very cold, the cadets all had lots of fun, especially when it came to soaking Mr Lewis who was sat on the lakeside. Tori Richardson and Hannah Byers got to boast on the journey back that they were the only cadets not to have capsized that day. That evening the cadets spent an hour swimming at the local pool, but it was disappointing to find out that the water side was closed.
With the sun shining, cadets enjoyed a day climbing and abseiling under the instruction of Mr Fairwood. Jess Thompson, who had never climbed before was extremely proud of herself as she climbed right to the top of the rock face. The afternoon was spent abseiling, and judging by the very girly giggles and screams, Evie Kennedy sounded like she had thoroughly enjoyed herself!
There was another change in the weather as we woke up on the third day to torrential rain and wind. This wasn’t going to stop Miss Hall and Mr Fairwood taking the cadets on a low level, 12km walk near Ambleside and the weather certainly tested the waterproofs that the CCF had just recently purchased. Cadets were in high spirits and particularly enjoyed sliding down the grassy slopes on the walk, which naturally was much easier that simply walking down! Having completed the walk, cadets were soon asleep in the minibus on the way back to the youth hostel. That evening, the cadets were treated to a 5 course meal at a local Indian restaurant.
The staff agreed on the final morning, that all cadets has behaved impeccably throughout the camp and had certainly been a credit to themselves and the School. Will Barnes was awarded the Hays Trophy for the week and Jess Thompson and Evie Kennedy were promoted to lance corporal.
