Exeter School alumni Jack Simms has completed a CCF gliding scholarship, capping off an action-packed week of flying with a set of hard-earned bronze wings. The scholarship, offered through the school’s Combined Cadet Force, gave Jack the chance to take to the skies and build real flying experience beyond the classroom.
Over the course of the scholarship, Jack completed an impressive 32 glider launches, working closely with instructors to develop his skills in the air. The week combined hands-on flying with extensive flight training and aircraft management instruction, giving Jack a well-rounded introduction to the demands of gliding. Although unserviceable aircraft meant a solo flight wasn’t possible this time, Jack’s dedication throughout the week still earned him his bronze wings — a fantastic marker of progress and a strong foundation for further flying in the future.
Earning bronze wings is a notable achievement for any CCF cadet, reflecting real commitment to flight training and a growing understanding of how aircraft operate. Jack’s 32 launches speak to the sheer amount of flying practice packed into a single week, and his progress is a credit to both his own effort and the support of the gliding instructors who guided him.
Reflecting on the experience, Jack was quick to recognise the role that Exeter School’s CCF has played in shaping opportunities like this one:
“I want to say thank you for all the opportunities that I have gained from CCF which I would not have been able to do without you.”
It’s exactly this kind of experience where combining adventure, discipline and skill-building that makes the CCF such a valued part of life at Exeter School, both for current pupils and for those, like Jack, who carry it forward as alumni.
