Bank fines fund 100 cadet units in schools

The new Cadet Bursary Scheme will enable schools to set up and run new Combined Cadet Force (CCF) units, as well as fund access to trained instructors and activities such as first aid, sailing and leadership training.

The £1m investment was raised through Libor fines and is expected to be matched by private sector contributions, with a further £300,000 already pledged by individuals and organisations.

The funding is in addition to a £10.85m pot, launched by the government in 2012, to set up CCF units in state schools over a three-year period.

CCFs are targeted at young people between 10 and 20 years old, with the aim of teaching self-discipline, resilience, leadership skills and a sense of community.

The uniformed youth service, based within schools, receive initial funding support from the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Education.

The DfE’s new CCF in State Funded Schools: Staff Perspectives report says there is little evidence on the impact of cadet units on children’s outcomes but the review found that CCFs played a key part in increasing pupils’ school attendance and raising their aspirations.

Announcing the bursary scheme, Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Being a cadet is a fantastic opportunity that gives young people the skills you need to get on in life.

“I want more people to gain this type of experience no matter what their background, and this is exactly what this new funding will help to deliver.”

Julie Taylor, principal of Thomas Deacon Academy in Peterborough, said having a CCF on site has had significant benefits for her students.

She said: “I am extremely proud of how the CCF contributes to the ambitious, disciplined culture at Thomas Deacon Academy.

“We want to help other schools understand the benefits for young people from a wide range of backgrounds and how the cadet experience can help transform the ethos of a school.”