Activities
- Field craft
- Shooting
- Flying & Gliding
- Military Exercises
- Adventurous training
- Annual Camps
- First Aid
- Leadership
- CVQO
Field craft
Fieldcraft involves the skills needed to operate in the field. It is part of the infantry training undertaken by Army Section Cadets and RAF cadets also participate. The theory is explained in the classroom and practiced on the school grounds, before being put into practise during weekend exercises on the Bovington Training Area. The main areas taught include Using Ration packs and building shelters, Patrolling, Ambushing and Camouflage, before moving on to more advanced training.
Shooting
Cadets learn to handle rifles safely and have to pass a weapons shooting and safety test before being allowed to fire for real. Cadets shoot the .22 No 8 rifle on a local 25m range and the 5.56mm L98 Cadet rifle on the Lulworth Ranges.
Flying & Gliding
RAF Section cadets get to go Powered Flying in the Grob Tutor at Boscombe Down about once a term, and Gliding in the Viking glider at Upavon about once a year. Gliding Scholarships are offered to cadets during the Easter and Summer holidays which can lead to a solo flight. Cadets showing particular aptitude are invited to apply for the Cadet Gliding instructor course after which they help to teach other cadets.
Military Exercises
Cadets of both the Army and RAF sections have the opportunity to try out their fieldcraft skills during weekend exercises on the Bovington Training Area.
Adventurous training
CCF Units should carry out Military / Adventurous training on a 60/40 ratio. The Thomas Hardye CCF usually spends a week away during the Easter Holiday on Adventurous Training Activities in addition to Ten Tors training. In 2003 Cadets enjoyed a week Sailing in Weymouth but normally visit the Barnstable Area where such activities as Caving, Climbing, canoeing, surfing, walking and cycling etc are carried out at a centralised training camp.
Annual Camps
Each year during the latter part of the Summer Term Cadets spend a week at Army or RAF Camps. Army camp in a centralised cadet camp where cadets from many schools in the area spend the week undertaking a multitude of activities supervised by members of Army Cadet Training Teams. RAF Cadets spend their time at an operational RAF station where they visit working sections and take part in flying, as part of a full and interesting program. In 2003 Army Cadets went to Warcop in Westmorland and RAF Cadets spent a week at RAF Cottesmore in Rutland.
First Aid
All Cadets undergo training in First Aid up to St Johns Ambulance Young Lifesaver Award level 3.Syllabus
Leadership
Leadership training is ongoing in the CCF with Cadets expected to become NCO’s and help to train subsequent entries of younger Cadets. The display of suitable aptitude will enable Cadets to attend a ‘Method of Instruction and Leadership Cadre’ in the spring term of year 10 over a period of 12 weeks. This is carried out at the unit by our local cadet training team who are based at Bovington but who visit the school to provide the instruction. Successful completion of the MOI Cadre will give 1 or 2 cadets the further opportunity of attending a week long leadership course at Frimley Park (Army) or Stafford (RAF). These are the Cadets who will ultimately become the unit Senior Cadets.
