School hosts Russian VIPs on fact finding mission

The Duke of York's Royal Military School has hosted a high level Russian ministerial delegation on a fact-finding mission (on 8 November) to Dover.

The delegation was sent by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev who wants to develop  regional cadet colleges across the Russian Federation aimed at producing a new generation of leaders in the military, business and society.

The Russians were interested in the DYRMS model of  combining academic high achievement with military ceremonial and CCF training to produce confident, self-reliant students who go on to succeed in all walks of life.  90% of Duke of York’s students go on to university and subsequently seek careers in the public or private sector.  Between 10 and 15% seek a career in the armed forces; in August 2011,  “Dukie” Second Lieutenant Calvin Smith won the Sword of Honour at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and has been commissioned into the Parachute Regiment.

Led by Mrs Ekaterina Priezzheva (Director of the Educational Department of the Russian Federation Ministry of Defence), the delegation included three heads of colleges funded by the Russian Ministry of Defence and three officers from the RF Defence Attaché staff in the UK, including the Defence Attache. They learned about the Duke of York's 209 year history, its unique military traditions and future plans to develop boarding and teaching areas through a recent £25 million governmental grant.

Commander Dmitry Bogachev, Assistant Naval Attaché at the Russian Federation Embassy said the delegates had been impressed by the Academy: “The Duke of York's Royal Military School has many achievements but most importantly it successfully prepares well educated young citizens and allows military personnel to do their jobs without worrying about the welfare of their children.”

The Academy already has successful links with military schools in America, France and Spain.  The Headmaster, Charles Johnson, said he looked forward to further assisting and advising the Russian Federation on this project of national importance.  

Mr Johnson said: “It was a great privilege and pleasure to welcome such an august group of Russian  educationalists to our school. We have always been keen to work with our partner schools both internationally and in Dover.”

DYRMS has recently helped the Astor Federations for the Arts to set up a small student military cadre aimed raising aspirations and academic standards. AFA Chief Executive, Chris Russell also attended the Russian delegation meeting