Exeter School’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF) gives pupils the chance to build leadership, initiative and self-reliance from Year 10 through to Year 13. As part of the school’s Friday 5 programme, the CCF contingent now numbers around 250 pupils, making it one of the most popular co-curricular activities on offer.
What Is the Combined Cadet Force?
The Combined Cadet Force sits at the heart of Exeter School’s commitment to developing well-rounded young people. Pupils join the CCF in Middle Fifth (Year 10), where they complete a term of common training. This introductory term gives every cadet the opportunity to experience all three sections before they choose a path.
Once common training is complete, pupils select the Service they want to join:
Royal Navy
The aim of the Royal Navy Section is to develop pupils’ teamwork, resilience, leadership, self-discipline and confidence through a wide range of exciting and adventurous activities.
Army
The Army Section is very proud of what it does. Its role is to introduce all the skills involved in basic infantry training, and thereby to build up the ability of cadets to work in a team and to develop their powers of leadership and self-discipline.
Royal Air Force
The role of the RAF Section is to provide opportunities for flying (Grob tutors), leadership and teamwork development. In order to access these opportunities, the RAF Section has a training syllabus enabling cadets to reach nationally recognised RAF Proficiency levels 1, 2 and 3. This includes principles of flight, aircraft operation, navigation, drill, first aid and knowledge of the RAF.
Building Leadership, One Term at a Time
Whichever Service a pupil chooses, the CCF’s core aims stay the same. Every activity is designed to develop:
Leadership skills that pupils can apply both in and out of school
Initiative, encouraging cadets to think on their feet
Self-reliance, building confidence to tackle new challenges independently
A solid knowledge of the Armed Services and how they operate
Cadets progress through structured training as they move up the school. This isn’t just about following instructions — it’s about pupils growing into the kind of young people who can guide others with confidence.
