News & articles
Military cadet forces in every school, says schools commissioner
08/01/2012
The Telegraph
All secondary schools should have a military cadet force in the drive to raise standards, according to a senior Government education official.
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“The all-round curriculum that children need, CCF, debating – that’s not the province of the middle classes, it’s the province of every child.”
The CCF was created in 1948 but its antecedents date back to 1859 when public schools and universities were asked to form volunteer corps.
Today, more than 200 independent schools but only around 60 state schools run CCF units, according to the Ministry of Defence, which sponsors the organisation. Members learn drill and are trained to fire weapons.
In 2008, the then-prime minister Gordon Brown backed a government-commissioned report which said more state schools should sign up to CCF. Although there has been no major rise, it is increasingly offered in academies.
our Military Out Of Schools campaign
The UK armed forces visit thousands of schools each year. They offer school presentation teams, youth teams, ‘careers advisors’ and lessons plans. The Government is suggesting the expansion of cadet forces within state schools to encourage the military ‘spirit’ and that ex-soldiers mentor youngsters in schools.
Should the armed forces by given access to children within education? How can we challenge their activities in schools and colleges? How can a more balanced view of what life in the armed forces involves be given to young people?
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