Combined Cadet Force
The School contingent dates back to 1896 and currently consists of 260 cadets. Each cadet belongs to one of the three service sections: Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force.
'The function of the CCF is to provide a disciplined organisation in a school, so that pupils may develop the powers of leadership, by means of training, to promote the qualities of responsibility, self-reliance, endurance and perseverance. The self-confidence and self-discipline required in service life are equally vital in the civil life of the nation today.' (Combined Cadet Force Manual, MoD 1994).
To achieve this aim the Ministry of Defence provides equipment, transport and highly qualified instructors from the combined services. In addition to activities organised by the contingent's own officers there are many courses available throughout the year which often lead to national qualifications. There is something for everyone with activities such as power boating, sailing, shooting, rock climbing, first aid and scuba diving. Arnold School cadets have recently followed in the footsteps of escaping prisoner of war in the Pyrenees and enjoyed diving in the Red Sea.
Major A Treharne - Contingent Commander
WO1 T Beck - School Staff Instructor
Royal Navy Section
SLt S Downey - Officer Commanding
SLt S Lunn
Army Section
Capt J Riding - Officer Commanding
Lt P Collinson
2Lt D Mayhew
2Lt D Smyth
Royal Air Force Section
Flt Lt J Davey - Officer Commanding
Plt Off S Alsop
Preston Military Show
The Preston Military show at Fulwood Barracks is an important regional event. This year's show focussed on the activities of the cadet forces as it's 150 years since the first cadet unit was formed. Teams representing every branch of the cadet forces took part in a competition involving physical and mental agility. Arnold represented the Combined Cadet Force and were only narrowly beaten by the Royal Marines cadets in the final to become runners up. They were presented with a plaque by the General Officer Commanding of 2 Division. The cadets then took part in a march past which was another opportunity to display our new banner. Cadets from Rossall School marched in front of us due to the fact their contingent is the oldest but we were happy to accept 'age before beauty' on an occasion such as this.
Biennial Inspection and Field Day
Field Day took place on Friday 25th June. This was an opportunity for the cadets to put into practice the training they have received on a weekly basis throughout the year and to try new activities. The Royal Navy Section spent the day sailing at Southport Marina, the Army Section used the shooting ranges and training area at Altcar and the Royal Air Force Section went to RAF Woodvale. The RAF's Assistant Chief of Staff Health, Air Commodore The Honourable Richard Broadbridge QHS RAF, conducted the contingent's Biennial Inspection on this day and we very extremely grateful to this very busy senior officer for taking the time to do this. Air Commodore Broadbridge is based at HQ Air Command, RAF High Wycombe.
Map showing the training locations for Field Day.
BTEC First Diploma in Public Services
Over forty senior cadets are completing the course this year with the support of 2nd Lt Mayhew. The training provided by the Combined Cadet Force covers 77% of what is needed to achieve the equivalent of 4 GCSE's at A*-C level. During the course cadets learn professional CV preparation, interviewing techniques, communication, first aid and much more besides.
Congratulations to Sophie Oliver, Chris Barratt and Aled Williams who have recently achieved Distinctions!
Adventure Training
The 2010 adventurous training expedition took place in Snowdonia in April. Accommodated at Capel Curig Training Camp near Betws-y-Coed, the cadets took part in rock-climbing, kayaking and hill-walking under the instruction of 40 Cadet Training Team. See Adventure Training 2010.
For details of last year's event see Adventure Training 2009.
