1. Home
2. News & events
3. Defence Secretary visits new Combined Cadet Force Unit at Rockwood Academy

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon visited Rockwood Academy as it launched its new Combined Cadet Force unit.

Rockwood Academy, run by CORE Education Trust, has become one of the latest schools to join the Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP).

The Defence Secretary met with a number of new cadets at Rockwood Academy, presenting them with their new berets and cap badge.

He said: “Our cadet forces are some of the largest and most successful youth organisations in the UK, offering young people the chance to develop essential life skills and helping them prepare to play an active part in the community.”

Rockwood Academy in Alum Rock opened its new cadet unit as the Government remains on course to achieve its manifesto target of creating 500 cadet units in schools by March 2020. The visit also follows the commitment to provide £50 million of additional funding for school cadet units across the UK.

Cadet Units allow young people to take part in challenging, exciting and educational activities, providing them the opportunity to develop self-discipline, teamwork, self-confidence and other life skills.

The Government is aiming to open these new units in state schools, where there is limited access to other cadet units, allowing students from all backgrounds the opportunity to join.

More than 40 students have signed up to Rockwood Academy’s new cadet unit.  They will take part in weekly after school clubs, learning skills from navigation to first aid.

It comes after Rockwood Academy was rated ‘Good’ by education watchdog Ofsted in March 2016 – with inspectors praising the school and CORE Education Trust for their “pioneering” partnerships with external organisations.

Rockwood Academy’s Principal Fuzel Choudhury said: “It was an honour to welcome Defence Secretary Michael Fallon to Rockwood Academy and to show him all the work we have been doing.

“The response from both pupils and their families to the launch of our Combined Cadet Force unit has really been overwhelming and we are confident that the students will benefit significantly, as will the teaching staff.

“Since the day I set foot across the threshold of this academy my sole drive has been to improve the education of our students – they are what it is all about.

“Initiatives such as these will undoubtedly help us achieve our vision.”

Adrian Packer, CEO of CORE Education Trust, added: “We are lucky to work with some incredible partners and we are very proud to become the latest school taking part in the Cadet Expansion Programme.

“This scheme will help give our pupils the life skills and self-confidence that they need to take charge of their lives so they can reach their full potential at school and beyond.

“I believe strongly that all pupils, whatever their background or circumstances, should have access to opportunities like this and I look forward to seeing the scheme enrich the lives of all those taking part at Rockwood Academy.”

Gary Newbrook, Contingent Commander who is based permanently at Rockwood Academy, said: “The Combined Cadet Force is designed to instil values in young people that will help them get the most out of their lives, and to contribute to their communities and country.

“This means students developing qualities such as self-discipline, loyalty and respect, strong leadership, teamwork and resilience, which will help them achieve excellence and shape their own future.”

Retired Major Simon Cuthbert, Schools Cadet Expansion Officer, said: “We know from anecdotal evidence from schools which use the CCF programme that it has helped students on many levels.

“Schools have reported that students are better prepared for classrooms, they listen and engage and challenge themselves further than they would have done previously because they have learned new skills and had a big dose of self-esteem.”

The Commander of 11th Signal and West Midlands Brigade, Brigadier Robin Anderton-Brown said: “I am delighted that Rockwood Academy has raised a Combined Cadet Force contingent, as part of the Government Cadet Expansion Programme.

“This is the culmination of much hard work by the West Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadet Association, Rockwood Academy, the newly appointed Contingent Commander and other CCF staff and the Brigade Cadet Training Team.

“I am really pleased to welcome them to the Brigade and look forward to working with them and providing support as they develop and grow over the coming months and years.

“It was particularly pleasing today to witness this milestone which was marked with the new cadets being presented with their new berets and cap badges by the Secretary of State for Defence.”