Combined Cadet Force

Some schools have a Combined Cadet Force (CCF) – with detachments from at least two of the Army, Navy or Air Force and sometimes a band.

CCFs give pupils a chance to show their teachers another side of their characters, to think for themselves and to demonstrate their practical skills by taking part in flying, sailing, camps, community activities, weapons training and much more.

Historically CCFs have only been open to pupils of the school they are based in with most of the Adult Instructors being members of the school's staff. They also used to be based mostly in fee paying schools but in 2012 the Government introduced the Schools Cadet Expansion Scheme to encourage state schools to open a CCF. There are currently 37 schools in London with a CCF.