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King Edward's School CCF

King Edward's School CCF is numbered among the oldest contingents in the country, establishing a corps in 1900. It is an army only section and, since 2011, has been officially affiliated to the King's Royal Hussars and combines their unique 'brown beret' with our very own original cap badge.

Boys and girls can join in Year 8, with a selection process running through May and June. The successful applicants join the Troop in September. There are 40 recruit places each year, with over twice the number of applicants wishing to join. The Contingent averages 70-100 cadets and staff throughout the year. 

The broad function of the CCF is to develop valuable life skills such as leadership, responsibility, self-reliance, resourcefulness, endurance, and perseverance.

The weekly syllabus is progressive throughout the 6 years, allowing the cadets to move up the ranks and gain valuable life and leadership qualities.

The varied activities undertaken help to develop skills which are then put into practice at regular camps both on and off site with a mix of tactical, adventurous training, ceremonial, and social events throughout the year.

Through a unique local partnership, we are also proud to welcome pupils and staff from Beechen Cliff School to our cadet and officer ranks. 

If you are interested in joining the CCF as a cadet or member of staff or would like further information, please contact the Contingent Commander / School Staff Instructor, Capt Philip Jones by email, [email protected] or call 01225 464313 Ext 234, Mob 07585337837  
 


 

 


THE Duke of Edinburgh's Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a world leading youth charity which gives 14-24 year olds a chance to develop skills for life and work. It demands commitment and can be challenging but is also great fun and pupils often remember their D of E expedition as a highlight of their time at school. King Edward’s annually runs all three levels of the award; Bronze are enrolled in Year 9, Silver in Year 10 and Gold in Year 12. Numbers have continued to grow and there are currently 80 pupils in Year 9 undertaking Bronze, 27 Year 10 pupils undertaking Silver and over 50 pupils in the Sixth Form working towards their Gold award. To take part, pupils are expected to complete activities in the following sections:

  • Volunteering - helping in the community
  • Skills - hobbies and interests
  • Physical - sport, dance and fitness
  • An expedition

The Gold award has an additional requirement of a 5-day residential Volunteering is at the heart of the DofE programme and provides pupils with an opportunity to contribute to their community or environment. In the past, pupils have helped at a variety of clubs and activities at the Junior School, Scouts, Guides and Rainbows, marshalled the park run, assisted elderly neighbours and local community projects. Volunteering in a charity shop is also very popular. The skills section aims to develop some interest or hobby and is all about learning. Pupils can learn an instrument, develop their acting talent, have driving lessons, begin photography – the world is their oyster!

All sporting, fitness or dance activities count towards the physical section. Examples include Jui Jitsu, team sports, horse riding, dance, basketball, table tennis, football, badminton, fencing, cross country running, climbing. With so many different clubs and societies available at school, finding a fun activity could not be easier.

One of the biggest challenges of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award is the expedition. The length of this depends on the level of the award: 2 days overnight at Bronze level, 3 days and 2 nights at Silver and for Gold 4 days and 3 nights. At KES all three levels complete a hiking expedition. Currently the locations are the Mendips and Marlborough Downs at Bronze level progressing onto the trickier navigation of the New Forest for the Silver practice and then the Black Mountains for their qualifying expedition. Gold extends the pupils navigation and endurance further with a 4-day expedition, the practice typically in the Brecon Beacons and then the qualifier further afield. For many years this has been in Snowdonia but the most recent expedition went to the Pyrenees and the plan for this year is the Lake District.

Pupils are prepared for their Bronze expeditions by completing two initial training days: a first aid course delivered by Wiltshire Outdoor Learning Team and a navigation and map reading skills day delivered by KES staff which also includes crucial camp craft skills such as putting up a tent and cooking a nutritious meal safely using a Trangia stove. The Silver and Gold expeditions are organised by an outside provider Wildcountry Consultants.

To achieve the Gold award pupils have to complete the same four sections as in Bronze and Silver but there is an additional section called a residential.

Participants are required to spend 5 days and 4 nights away from home taking part in a shared activity with people they have never met before. This can be activity based or involve learning or volunteering. It enables them to pursue something that interests them.

In the past we have had pupils attend a language summer school, National Trust courses, cookery courses, outdoor activity courses, sailing and volunteering at respite camps for disadvantaged children. Pupils are presented with their awards at an annual presentation evening.



Ten Tors

The annual Ten Tors Challenge is a testing expedition for teams of six over the Dartmoor National Park. It first took place in 1960. Based at Okehampton Camp there are three routes: 35 miles for pupils in Year 10, 45 miles for pupils in Year 12, and 55 miles for those in Year 13.

King Edward’s School has a proud record of success in the expedition, stretching back thirty years, with teams regularly completing all three distances.

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