February saw Headteachers, Service representatives and Senior Leaders from the Department for Education and Ministry of Defence come together for the Annual Headteachers’ Conference, held in Coventry.
The conference began with a video message from the Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP, followed by an opening keynote address from Rt Hon Nick Gibb MP, Minister of State for School Standards on why Education values its nationwide partnership with the Combined Cadet Force.
The Conference programme was designed to provide stimulation and important dialogue for the senior leadership of schools in the CCF. There were presentations from Headteachers on the transformational outcome of the cadet experience as well as expert led workshops covering a wide range of topics, including measuring the social impact of the cadets, affordability of running a CCF and the Challenges and Solutions to establishing a CCF unit.
The North West was well represented with 15 school SLT members in attendance, as well as the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive of the North West Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association, The Deputy Commander of Army Headquarters North West and the Colonel Cadets for the North West. The Schools Cadet Expansion Officer was also in attendance.
Ms Tina Owen, Headteacher of Philips High School said: “The conference has been a great insight into the CCF, it has been good to meet other Headteachers that have been through the set up process and I now feel that I’m not alone in this new era for the school”.
Flight Lieutenant Jez Kent RAFAC, The Schools’ Cadet Expansion Officer for the North West added “Today has been worthwhile for all those that attended. It has allowed the SLT of the schools to hear about best practice and share stories of their CCF journeys with others that have been in the same situation. I hope that this will allow schools to look at the sustainment and growth of their units in a new light.”
For more information on the Cadet Expansion Programme or Combined Cadet Force in the North West – Contact the Schools’ Cadet Expansion Officer, Flt Lt Jez Kent on [email protected].
