The role of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) at Gordon’s School is to provide students with the opportunity to develop their powers of leadership, self-reliance and resourcefulness.

The CCF forms an important part of the School’s Co-Curriculum programme with all students joining the CCF in Year 10. Students can continue in the CCF during Years 11, 12 and 13 on a voluntary basis. This can be used towards the volunteering section of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. 

The CCF is tri-service offering students training in the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force services. Each of the three services meets on a Tuesday afternoon with support from school staff, Cadet Training Teams, and current serving personnel.

As part of the programme, Cadets from each service participate in one field day per term, which are normally held at military bases, for example, Royal Engineers Gibraltar Barracks in Minley, HMS Excellent and RAF Benson.

Throughout the school year, students are encouraged to take part in weekend activities including orienteering, flying, sailing and field craft training. Each service holds annual camps and all students are encouraged to attend, enhancing both their learning experiences and potential for promotion within their service. In addition to the training programmes, students participate in a number of CCF competitions. 

 

 

CCF Staff

Major John Balmer - Contingent Commander johnbalmer@gordons.school 
WO1 Philip Fox - School Staff Instructor pfox@gordons.school
 

Major John Balmer - Officer Commanding - Army Section 

Squadron Leader P Mockeridge MBE RAF VR(T) - Officer Commanding - Royal Air Force Section
oc.t0080a@aircadet.org  or  pmockeridge@gordons.school

Sub Lieutenant Paul Curley - Officer Commanding - Royal Navy Section pcurley@gordons.school

Visit by General Sir Mark Mans

General Sir Mark Mans, Chief of the Royal Engineers, visited members of the  Gordon's School CCF in May. The School has always enjoyed close links with the Royal Engineers as General Gordon served with the Regiment. As well as watching the Air Force and Navy cadets on exercise, Sir Mark presented medals to the Ten Tors team of 12 students from Y10 who took part in the 55 kilometre challenge.

Making history in the wildcat

Gordon's CCF RAF section became the first cadets to fly in the Army's new Wildcat reconnaissance helicopter.

The ten cadets received STEM (Science Technology Engineering Maths) training in helicopter engineering, operations and safety. They were also given instruction on the new flight simulator and in the recognisance and strike simulator. The main event of the day was all the cadets went flying in the Wildcat helicopter.