The CCF is a disciplined youth organisation that aims to develop powers of leadership, responsibility, self reliance, resourcefulness, endurance and perseverance. It uses a variety of military and adventurous training activities in an attempt to achieve its aims. At Repton the CCF has its own dedicated slot in the weekly timetable and it plays an important part in the life of the School: it is widely supported by staff and pupils. We have some excellent facilities which include a high-quality indoor 0.22 range, a climbing wall, use of Pears School tower for a wide variety of climbing and abseiling activities, and the swimming pool for kayaking and introductory scuba diving, as well as extensive grounds and the Old Trent for rafting.
At Repton all pupils join the CCF at the start of their second year, opting for either the Army or RAF section, and will be expected to go to either the Adventurous Training week at the start of the Easter holidays or Annual Camp (Army or RAF) at the beginning of the summer holidays. We believe in giving the pupils an experience that they would not get elsewhere in the School: many are surprised by the enjoyment and satisfaction that they have gained from participating in an activity that they would not otherwise have considered. The first year’s programme for the Army section will include: weapon training, shooting, drill, fieldcraft, obstacle courses, navigation, camping, first aid, hill walking, climbing, abseiling, kayaking and the possibility of cycling and caving. All activities will be run by suitably qualified and experienced staff. The RAF section tends to have fewer physical activities but the cadets will have regular opportunities to fly and the option to glide and our pupils regularly gain Sixth Form and Gliding Scholarships from the RAF.
We appreciate that the pupils have different interests and, therefore, in O Block we offer them a variety of options. If cadets volunteer to continue to serve in the CCF, Advanced Military sections and then Method of Instruction Cadre, both Army and RAF, prepare the O block cadets for taking on the responsibility of being an NCO. (It is also possible to do the DofE Silver award, as a CCF cadet). The second option is to join the civilian Duke of Edinburgh Scheme. A third option, for those not drawn to either CCF or DofE, is the school-run Skills and Service activity.
In the Sixth Form the pupils may stay on as a cadet NCO and it is in the CCF where many of the pupils are first able to experience being responsible for and leading younger pupils. For some pupils the CCF is just another part of their busy lives, whilst for others it can be a major interest and commitment.
Every year at the end of the Lent Term we run competitions for all the pupils involved in the CCF and Duke of Edinburgh Schemes. The commitment, enthusiasm and, above all, team spirit that are shown reinforces the benefits of the CCF. In alternate years the Competition is combined with the Biennial Inspection where we have always gained favourable reports.