Co-Curricular
Co-Curricular
CCF
Cadets Go Gliding at RAF Watton, Norfolk
On Sunday 19th September, 2010 six RAF cadets went gliding, five for the first time, at RAF Watton in Norfolk. Despite blustery winds, all the pupils managed three short flights, trying out stalls and other breath-taking manoeuvres. Congratulations to Maxwell Rogers, Tom Chan, George David, George Kerridge, Jess Mol and Lizzie Narbeth. The cadets also assisted in launching gliders for other flyers, working enthusiastically and tirelessly all day long, and were a credit to the College.
The aims of the CCF are to foster qualities of self-reliance, leadership, responsibility and a sense of public purpose with an awareness of the functions of the armed forces in the maintenance of peace. It also offers a Service for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award as well as offering experience to any who may be considering a Service career.
There is a great emphasis on outdoor leadership training activities and the College has been keen to exploit this to the full. The CCF at Framlingham is voluntary and just under half of the College are members of the RAF or the Army section. Training takes place once a week on Wednesdays and over the course of a Field Weekend every term.
Field Weekends range from base visits, to survival exercises and all manner of day and night battle exercise scenarios on MOD training areas. In addition, cadets can attend annual camps and courses offered through the MOD including Air Experience Flying, Air Experience Gliding and NCO instructors’ courses.
Cadets enjoy a basic training programme in Year 9 that includes a general introduction to CCF type activities as well as training the cadets in first aid, navigation and camp craft skills so that they are equipped to tackle the Bronze expedition phase of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. In Year 10 they then choose which section to join and undergo basic training as recruits in order the Army Proficiency Certificate and Part 1 of the RAF syllabus.
In addition they will pass the Shooting and Safety test with the LA98A2 and have the opportunity to classify at .22 and full bore shooting. In Year 11 they join the Advanced Infantry in the Army and continue to work towards Part II of the RAF syllabus as well as progressing through the Silver Duke of Edinburgh's Award. In addition they are encouraged to attend JNCO cadre courses to have the opportunity of promotion.
As senior cadets in the sixth form they are now instructing younger cadets and attend a SNCO cadre course to have access to higher ranks and even more responsibility. By Year 13 the majority will have completed the Gold section of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
