Combined Cadet Force (CCF)
APPLETON ACADEMY COMBINED CADET FORCE
At Appleton Academy our Combined Cadet Force, CCF, Army Unit gives young people access to fun, friendship, action and adventure. We inspire our cadets to aim high, providing the skills, values and attitudes to go further in life.
The CCF is a national, voluntary, uniformed youth organisation. If offers challenging adventurous and educational activities, some with a military theme but all designed to help participants develop and thrive with skills for adult life. The CCF is sponsored by the British Army but is not part of it - there is no requirement on cadets to join any of the armed forces.
Our cadet detachment had its first parade on April 22nd 2026 with cadets formed from Year 8 pupils, supported by staff volunteers and cadets from the community in Y10 and Y11.
This September sees our second cohort of new cadets from Y8 begin their journey within the CCF.
Parading
We parade every Wednesday, 2.30pm to 4.30pm. The first hour is during school time. Teachers will provide pupils with work they will need to catch up with.
Cadets are encouraged to wear their uniform during the full school day. However, they are asked to wear a civilian jacket over the top of their uniform as they travel to and from school.
Cadets are placed under no pressure to join the armed forces, nor can a cadet be forced to fight in the armed services in any way.
All cadets follow a curriculum including the following proficiency subjects:
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Leadership and Teamwork
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Drill
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Map and compass/navigation
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Skill at arms
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Fieldcraft
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Shooting
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First aid
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Adventurous training
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Physical achievement
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Military knowledge
Cadets normally go on at least four weekend camps per year including Christmas, Easter, First Aid camps and Fieldcraft camps. The main event of the year is a one-week annual camp before or during the summer holiday. There are also sporting events such as football, athletics and cross-country, and ceremonial events like Remembrance Sunday.
Cadets are expected to attend all parade nights and weekend activities. To gain maximum benefit from being a cadet, a degree of commitment is required and this should be borne in mind if you are a member of other clubs or sporting activities.
Army Cadet Force (ACF) background
The ACF can trace its beginnings to 1859 and is a nationwide voluntary youth organisation supported by the British Army. The ACF motto is “to inspire to achieve”. The emphasis is very much on personal development through teamwork, self-reliance and leadership. This ties in closely with the Academy’s ethos of Inspire, Nurture, Develop.
There are over 50,000 cadets in 1,600 detachments nationwide which includes community ACF units and CCFs attached to schools. A very small proportion choose to join the armed forces when they leave. You do not have to want to join the military to be a cadet.
Appleton Academy become one of those fortunate enough to host a CCF as part of the Cadet Expansion Scheme, CES, and give their pupils an exciting opportunity for self-development outside of an academic curriculum.
An academic study, the Denny report, highlights the benefits a CCF has to cadets, the school and the communities they belong to.
Cost of being a member of CCF
All payments will be available on Arbor. There are different options for paying annual subscriptions.
There is a one-off initial pay of £10 with monthly subscriptions set at £3.
We ask for a £20 refundable deposit which will be returned when cadets choose to leave the organisation.
Link to Army Cadets Volunteers
https://armycadets.com/adult-volunteers/volunteer-roles-opportunities/
Link to the Denny Report
