Combined Cadet Force
The Cadets recently overtook the Scouting Movement as the largest youth movement in the UK. Stowe CCF certainly plays its part in this trend and continues to attract approximately three quarters of the Fourth Form when they opt for their Monday afternoon activity.
Whilst Stowe's CCF is sponsored by the military, and indeed the School has Navy, Army and Air Force sections, the training is by no means exclusively military, and in fact the most popular annual camp is the Adventure Training in the Lake District.
New recruits begin their time with a round robin of activities that range from .22 shooting to scuba diving. Thereafter, they opt to join one of the sections and from then on, focus on Service appropriate training.
The full benefit of the CCF is perhaps only experienced by those who stay on into the Sixth Form. There are over 200 cadets, CCF is well supported by the Cadet NCOs who enjoy the kind of responsibility that is not often given to pupils... they command sections, they teach lessons, and on camp, they ensure proper order in the accommodation blocks and take responsibility for getting cadets to the right location at the right time with the right kit.
Finally, cadets have access to a wide range of camps and courses - sailing, signalling, leadership courses and so forth. Recent achievements include three RAF cadets each securing gliding scholarships, and two of them had the thrill of flying solo at the end of the week. Good fun whilst being educational to boot - what could be better? Stowe CCF continues to go from strength to strength.
Master in charge: Rev Robert Jackson