cadets
Cadet plan needs consultation
16/11/2012ForcesWatch letter in Islington Gazette
ForcesWatch letter in Islington Gazette
This week the Ministry of Defence released news that the City of London Academy Islington (formerly Islington Green School) is to host a cadet unit. ForcesWatch urge parents, governors, teachers and students of the school not to accept this development until after a public consultation on the matter.
David Lammy’s Army School for Rioters
17/07/2012Huffington Post
Huffington Post
There was a truly awful article in last week's New Statesman by Tottenham Labour MP David Lammy, accusing 'the left' of a curmudgeonly attitude towards the government's plans for military-staffed 'service schools.'
Lammy condemns critics of the scheme for propagating the idea that ' servicemen and women are "brainwashed", "killers", and hell-bent on converting our sons and daughters to violence' - arguments that he describes as ' nonsense - and offensive nonsense at that.'
With that strawman out of the way, he goes on to argue that
The military already play a hugely positive role in our schools. The Combined Cadet Force and Army Cadet Force are fantastic national institutions. These are organisations which offer adventure training, flying, sailing, white water rafting, and navigating Britain's finest landscapes from Cornwall to the Cairngorms, all for free.
Of course all these activities could and should be available in schools. The problem is that neither school budgets nor the curriculum allow much space for them, not to mention the obsessive risk assessment process which makes schools reluctant to take their kids beyond the school grounds, let alone go canoeing in the Cairngorms.
Labour plan to set up ‘Service Schools’ staffed by soldiers
17/07/2012The Telegraph
The Telegraph
A new generation of “Service Schools” staffed entirely by former members of the Armed Forces could be set up across Britain under Labour plans to raise education standards, it has emerged.
Cadet forces scheme: £10.85m to encourage young people to join
17/07/2012
Scheme coinciding with Armed Forces Day aims to create 100 new cadet units in English state schools
Service Schools and more cadet forces – an exercise in recruitment
Over the past month, amid announcements of major cuts to the armed forces, came some unexpected news on public spending: £10.85million to expand cadet forces into state schools, a £1million grant to promote a military ethos in schools and senior Labour politicians calling for a series of 'Service Schools', staffed entirely by former members of the armed forces, to be established. Unexpected, that is, to anyone who hasn't previously been aware of the importance that military policy makers place on access to young people within education.
The education system is not the place for militarised training of children
Michael Gove is again talking about extending the cadet forces within schools, this time with the support from the Schools Commissioner (and a senior advisor to the Education Secretary)....Why is the military considered uniquely able to develop a ‘spirit of service’ or promote a disciplined approach? Why does the Schools Commissioner regard Cadet forces amongst a small handful of activities that are seen as broadening the curriculum and offering more opportunity with state schools? Who is being served by children in schools doing drill in the school playground or taking part in adventure activities?
Brown backs army cadet corps plan for schools
10/01/2012The Guardian
The Guardian
Controversial plans for pupils in comprehensive schools to sign up for military drills and weapons training are being backed by Gordon Brown in an attempt to improve the relationship between the public and the armed forces.
Gove backs cadet forces in schools
10/01/2012Press Association
Press Association
Military-style cadet forces could be introduced to all secondary schools in a Government bid to boost standards and discipline.
Cadet forces to be expanded in state schools
04/03/2011Telegraph
Telegraph
Military 'spirit' is to be encouraged in classrooms with the expansion of cadet forces in state schools.
Armed Forces personnel to go into schools, Conservatives pledge
04/03/2011Telegraph
Telegraph
Service men and women will go into schools to mentor young tearaways, while troops will receive free teacher training and university tuition, the Conservatives will pledge.