The School has one of largest Combined Cadet Forces in the country, giving more than 380 pupils the chance to try their hand at the three services. They will experience the excitement and challenges of the great outdoors, testing their team building and leadership skills in ways which simply aren’t possible at home or in the classroom.

Our Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is a unique educational partnership that operates at our school. Through enjoyable military themed and adventurous activities, cadets have the opportunity to take responsibility, develop skills such as self-reliance, resourcefulness, endurance and perseverance. Our CCF contingent contains sections from the Royal Navy, Army and the Royal Air Force. The CCF promotes the values and standards of the Armed Forces and, we encourage our cadets to lead by example with drive and determination. The CCF provides an opportunity for young people to exercise responsibility and leadership in a disciplined and challenging environment.

Our schools contingent is run by a team of enthusiastic adult volunteers drawn, in the main, from teachers within the school with highly supportive ex-military schools staff instructors. Our school facilities for the CCF include our own 25-metre full bore shooting range, swimming pool, fitness trim trail, climbing wall and training area. We can operate in a safe and secure environment where we are able to conduct military skills on site thus being self-contained and unique.

Training opportunities for cadets occur weekly in school on a Friday. The Royal Navy Cadets follow the CCF Naval Cadet programme, which includes sailing, watercraft and seamanship. The Army Cadets training varies with each year group and mainly consists of Drill, Weapons training, Ranges, Fieldcraft, and Infantry Tactics. The RAF Cadets follow a comprehensive programme which includes both actual and virtual flying, junior leadership and weapons training. The Cadet year finishes with an annual camp, which is  centrally run by each service or as a school organised camp.

The School also offers a unique adventure training package at Oakhampton Training Camp on Dartmoor. The activities vary each year, but mainly consist of, mountain biking, hill walking incorporating a two-day expedition, gorge walking, climbing, abseiling, high ropes confidence course, bog running, canoeing, raft building, sailing and much more. The School's investment in military ethos means we are able to provide nearly all the equipment required for these trips and other larger expeditions.

OC CCF & Director of Co-Curricular: Lieutenant Colonel Mark Ellis
Mark.Ellis@doyrms.com