New cadet unit for Ollerton school

An Ollerton school is marching into the future with a new unit for army cadets.

The Dukeries Academy is working with Worksop College to create a Combined Cadet Force (Army) unit as part of a government drive to have an extra 100 cadet outfits in state-funded schools in England by 2015.

Worksop College, which already has a CCF unit, will mentor teachers, volunteers and pupils from The Dukeries until the new detachment is ready to go it alone.

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Kevin Dukes, assistant principal at the school, said: “We decided we wanted to set up a new cadet unit for our students to support their academic learning with other sports, adventure and team-based activities.

Students involved will have the opportunity to develop their teamwork, resilience and leadership skills as well as developing their self-confidence and making new friends.

Mr Dukes said teachers and other adult volunteers will be running the unit on a week to week basis although the school’s principal will have overall responsibility for how the unit operates once independent status has been attained after the partnership period with Worksop College.

“We are all looking forward to getting started and developing our unit over the forthcoming months,” he added.

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Group Captain Nick Sharpe, Chief Executive at East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA), said: “The Prime Minister’s initiative to increase the number of cadet units in the nation’s schools clearly recognises the benefits that being a member of the cadet forces brings, not just to the individual, but to their school and their community.

“The range of activities that membership of the cadets brings is simply not available elsewhere and builds the confidence and capability of all those who participate.”