CCF Form for entry to 4ths 2025–26

May 2025

4ths CCF or School Service Programme

During the next academic session, your son or daughter will be entering a new and exciting phase of their life at the Academy. Not only will they be embarking on their first certificate exam courses, they will also be given the opportunity to explore and participate in the range of activities made available through the CCF or the School Service programme. Pupils will also be able to undertake their Duke of Edinburgh Award concurrently.

The majority of the year group is likely to do to CCF on a Monday afternoon between 15.40–17.10. Alternatively, we also offer School Service, a programme focused on engaging with the school and local community.

Both the CCF and the School Service Scheme allow pupils to develop knowledge and skills beyond the confines of the classroom, in an enjoyable, challenging and inspiring manner. I look forward to hearing of the future achievements of next year’s 4ths as they progress through their chosen programmes.

Mr. Craig Murray
Head of Middle Years

The Edinburgh Academy Combined Cadet Force

All pupils on reaching the fourth year at the Academy have the chance to join the Combined Cadet Force, known as the CCF. It offers pupils the chance to acquire all sorts of expertise in addition to equipping them to become individual thinkers, leaders as well as team players, and effective contributors. There is a choice of Section: Army (includes Pipe Band) or Royal Air Force.

There are many opportunities for adventurous training and for travel:

• Both Sections run their own Annual Camps or Courses. In addition, there are often opportunities to take part in competitions and Remembrance tours/events.
• Pupils in the CCF can also take part in centrally organised Camps and Leadership courses. The best known of these are the one-week Leadership courses run by the Army Cadet Training Centre at Buddon at Easter, and the prestigious Air Cadet Leadership course at RAF Cranwell in July.

Army Section

The Army Section of the CCF, originally the Officers’ Training Corps, was formed in 1908 and later became the Combined Cadet Force as Royal Navy (now disbanded) and Royal Air Force Sections were added over the years.

There are many varied activities in which cadets take part using the regular army’s equipment. Weekly training will allow cadets to learn how to handle the full bore cadet rifle safely, conduct Fieldcraft exercises and practice skills such as map and compass, drill, signals, first aid and general military knowledge.

The two major activities during the year are the week long camps, which allow cadets to hone skills learned during weekly training; cadets will have the opportunity to take part in the following:

Easter Camp
This is a self-run military camp usually held in Britain and is always very popular amongst the cadets. Activities normally include: camping, self-reliance, shooting, navigation, radio communications, other challenging pursuits, leadership skills and problem solving.

Summer Camp
This is the culmination of the year’s training and counts towards the Army Proficiency certificate. The camp will be attended by at least 12 other schools at the same time, so there are plenty of competitive activities and the opportunity to meet cadets from all over the UK. The camp is run by the Army and solely for the benefit of the Army section of the CCF and has an excellent and varied programme.

Field Days
There are a number of Field days throughout the year, which provide external training opportunities.

Post Compulsory Period
For those cadets who elect to continue after the Passing out Parade we offer continuation training during 5ths and beyond in order to enhance leadership (management) skills for a more responsible role within the Army section. Having passed the basic Army proficiency programme (compulsory service) this will allow cadets to progress to the methods of instruction course and be considered for promotion.

Pipes and Drums
The members of the Band fulfil many different engagements during the year and must be prepared to spend extra time rehearsing for the Quartet Competition in November, for Beating Retreats in May at the Castle and Holyrood Palace and for the Band competitions in June. Beating Retreats take place in the presence of an Inspecting Officer, which has on occasion been Prince and Princess of Wales and Princess Anne. Members of the band also fit in the essential aspects of their military training and attend Annual Camp where they can qualify for the APC. The Band performed during Tartan Week in New York and had a tour to Canada.

Royal Air Force Section

This is the section for those with an interest in aircraft, learning to fly or leadership (management) training or all of these!

Flying training
Our aim every year is to give each cadet an opportunity to fly and be taught by an RAF pilot in the Grob Tutor small powered aircraft, the Viking glider – both weather permitting – and on a glider flight simulator. They follow a syllabus leading to “Blue Wings” and then “Bronze Wings” awards. Cadets can also experience flying in other types of aircraft, including helicopters. They also learn how to recognise aircraft types and will gain a practical and theoretical understanding of how aircraft fly and work.

RAF Camps
Cadets from several schools work together during these week-long camps. Activities are a mixture of competitions between the cadets and visits to areas surrounding and within an RAF station – the later provides an insight into the life in the RAF and the chance to see different aspects of the Service. There are also night-exercises as well as more usual evening entertainment such as ten-pin bowling or ice-skating. The main RAF camp is held in the summer holidays at one of the RAF bases throughout Britain. Camps also take place in Gibraltar, Germany and Cyprus and ultimately cadets can participate in the International Air Cadet Exchange, which sends cadets to the USA, Hong Kong or around Europe.

Other Training
The Section’s Monday programme also includes basic military training; leadership, weapon handling, shooting, map and compass, first aid, adventurous training and drill. Success in these areas leads to the award of RAF proficiency badges (which are required for promotion within the Section) and other “Blue badge” awards. On Field Days, the RAF section joins the Army section for a shared programme of events. For those who elect to stay on beyond 4ths, we offer the Methods of Instruction and NCO Cadre courses; the former introduces and practices ways of teaching while the latter focuses on advanced leadership and how to handle real responsibility.

Flying Scholarships
Following on from the initial glider “Blue Wings”, cadets can be awarded a Gliding Scholarship at the age of 16. This culminates in a solo flight and the award of solo “Silver Wings”. For those with an interest in civil or military flying demonstrating prowess in the Viking glider or Tutor aircraft can lead to the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme. Costs are borne by the RAF and will take the cadet up to solo pilot standard in a powered aircraft at the age of 17.

RAF Cadet Courses
Senior cadets will have the chance to take part in the highly respected but gruelling Air Cadet Leadership Course at RAF Cranwell. All RAF cadets can also undertake adventurous training activities, in the UK or at a Cyprus summer camp. These include orienteering, camping, rock-climbing, abseiling and even parachuting and paragliding (for some activities there is a minimum age).

CCF Special Events

In recent years cadets have been invited to take part in drill and ceremonial duties at commemorative events such as the 65th anniversary of D-Day in 2009, (also attended by Prince Charles), the 70th anniversary of the Dunkirk evacuation in May 2010, (at which the salute was taken by Prince Michael of Kent), a WW1 centenary Tour in 2014 to France and Belgium, the Battle of Loos Commemoration in France in October 2015 and the Passchendaele Commemoration in October 2017, and a further combined CCF/ACF Commemorative Tour in October 2018. In addition cadets have the chance to participate in various Commonwealth War Graves events such as research projects, open doors tours to the public, D Day Commemoration at Edinburgh Castle scheduled later this month and a project in conjunction with the Gallipoli association.

Cadet Uniform and Footwear

Uniform and footwear must be applied for using the links below with measurements in cm not inches please. Both sections will be issued with uniform, which remains the property of the CCF but must be well maintained. Boots and shoes however must be purchased, which therefore remain the property of the cadet. For boots the first price quoted is for sizes 3–6 and second is for sizes 7–13. Payment details for footwear are below.

ref: If you could please put your name and account code as a reference (i.e. Smith SM1000) CCF Footwear (Army) or CCF Footwear (RAF) that would be appreciated. Your account code can be found on your invoice.

Apply for:

Army section (cadet uniform and boot type/size)

RAF section (cadet uniform and Shoe type/size)

Please complete the Choice Form and apply for cadet uniform/boots and shoes on the links provided by 27 June 2025.

Wg Cdr Sarah Heintze
Contingent Commander
The Edinburgh Academy CCF
Tel: 0131 556 4603
Email: sgsl@edinburghacademy.org.uk

Our School and Our Community (School Service)

This group fosters and develops pupil understanding of the extent to which their actions can benefit their immediate community, emphasising the importance of kindness, independent thought and social responsibility. Next session the group will take responsibility for a range of projects, which are likely to include:

1. Conservation work in the community
2. Service to vulnerable sections of the local community
3. Organising collections to collaborate with those in need.

Apply for:

School Service

For further information on the CCF cadet experience, please watch this film.