Historic Military Academy Providing Advice to Improve Standards at Kent State School

The Duke of York’s Royal Military School, a high performing Academy sponsored by the Ministry of Defence, is to advise on the setting up of a student military cadre at Astor College, a state high school in a deprived part of Dover.

The programme starts in September 2011 and will put a group of Astor College girls and boys aged 11-19 through ceremonial and Combined Cadet Force training (CCF). They will learn to handle weapons, navigate sea-craft, fly planes, and are being kitted out in ceremonial ‘blues’ uniforms to take part in drill practice at school and parades in Dover supervised by a high ranking NCO advised by the Duke of York’s Royal Military School’s Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM).

So far 50 students have signed up to join the popular military cadre who will wear their uniforms at school twice a week in classes and undertake a BTEC in Public Service, adventurous training and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

The ceremonial and CCF programme is part of a Collaborative Partnership Agreement between the two schools to raise standards of achievement and develop the Government’s ‘Respect Agenda’.

It is hoped that by undertaking similar military training to the students at the Duke of York’s Royal Military School (DYRMS), the Astor College pupils will develop the same leadership skills and self-discipline that has helped their peers to achieve high academic standards.

DYRMS is a full boarding school, founded 200 years ago to educate the orphans of soldiers in the Napoleonic wars. It recently became an Academy, sponsored by the MoD and overseen by the Department for Education. In 2010, 97% of students at DYRMS boarding school passed 5 or more A*-C grade GCSES including English and Maths and was praised by Ofsted for ‘many outstanding features’.

In contrast, 30% of Astor College students achieved the same GCSE results and are on target to achieve 35% this year. The school is subject to 40% selection and a higher than average number of its students have learning disabilities and difficulties and live in a disadvantaged part of Dover – a once prosperous garrison town, which has suffered rising unemployment.

Chris Russell, formerly Astor College Principal and now chief executive of the highly successful Dover Federation for the Arts, says: “We have worked hard to drive up academic standards at the school and our visual and performing arts programme produces work of outstanding quality. But by setting up a professionally-run military cadre, we hope to instill a sense of self-respect, discipline and pride in the students who will then act as role models for their peers. We believe this will impact positively in their academic and personal lives.”

Despite the closure of the Dover and Deal garrisons, many Astor College students still have connections with the garrisons at Hythe, Folkestone and Canterbury and the area is steeped in military tradition. Ed Pallant, Head of Astor College, says the new scheme is being driven by popular parental demand: “Dover may have fallen on hard times but the people are proud of their military heritage – it’s in their blood. Parents at the primary schools we’ve visited say they want their children to be encouraged to develop self-discipline and respect and the students say they’d be proud to wear a uniform with the cap badge of their parents’ or grandparents’ regiment.”

Ben Jackson, aged 17, who will be a Sergeant in the new military cadre, has already joined the CFF and has gained his AGT gold wings in glider flying. He says: “Some of the students do take the micky when they see you in the uniform, but they change their tune when I tell them what I’ve achieved and how this will help me get into the RAF as a pilot. Lots more students are now asking how they can join.”

DYRMS students annually guard the Torch of Remembrance at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey and ensure its safe passage through Dover. The highlight of the school year is July 1st Grand Day, when students take part in a full Trooping of the Colour watched by dignitaries including the school’s President HRH the Duke of Kent. Alumni include the Rt Revd James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool and Lt General Gary Coward.

Charles Johnson, DYRMS Principal, says: “Military tradition is at the heart of our school life and contributes to our academic success. It is the ceremonial thread that connects us to our proud history and our present support for the parents who serve bravely in the Armed Forces.

“It offers a shared experience that binds our school community and creates a positive learning environment. We hope that by sharing this tradition, other students may benefit.”