Recruit

CCF is highly encouraged for those students in the third form, although parents do reserve the right to ask a child to be exempt from participating in the CCF. Students from the third form will not be issued a full uniform, they will be required to wear a pair of boots, a CCF green T shirt, sweatshirt and a pair of issued combat trousers.  These will all be provided.

During the first academic term pupils will join one of two Platoons, Anzio or Nijmegan. The aim of this first term is to give our students a flavour of what is available within the CCF along with the opportunity to explore new challenges.

Cadets would complete our basic recruit package, consisting of – history of the CCF, ranks & rates, care of kit & equipment, swim test, basic drill training, survival skills and a selection of theory lessons. Cadets will also complete the British Heart Foundation ‘Heart Start’ Course. During this first term pupils will also have an opportunity to enrol onto the Bronze DofE Award. The onus on this induction phase is based on confidence, teamwork and most importantly fun!

By the end of the Michaelmas term cadets will make a choice as to whether to join the Army section, Royal Navy section or to commit to the CCF Band where they will progress with their chosen section training.

During the Lent term all junior cadets will complete an introduction to safe weapon handling skills whilst also completing an air rifle shooting test. Cadets will be formally assessed on the skills learnt so far during the third form Night Exercise, which for most is the highlight of the year.

Cadets will also undertake a 2 day expedition during the summer term, along with opportunities to try out the wide range of adventure training activities available here at Downside School.

By the end of the third form, cadets will have completed over half of the basic syllabus and will earn the privilege of wearing the Downside School CCF beret and appropriate insignia.