The CCFA, along with the Ministry of Defence, set up the Contingent Growth Fund grant programme to help CCF increase cadet numbers.
Grants were available to all CCF contingents across the UK from April 2022 to December 2024. Schools could apply for grants to improve their infrastructure, buy new equipment for activities and support the development of their adult volunteers.
In total, the charity awarded over £2.3m to 295 schools, benefitting more than 38,000 cadets. This investment has helped to ensure that the life-changing opportunities of the CCF remain accessible to all young people.
St Peter’s School, York
The independent school, St Peter's School, which has a CCF Army section was awarded a grant of £10,000 for a canopy structure for covered outdoor training.
Headmaster Jeremy Walker said “the recent installation of the 6m x 8m canopy has been an invaluable asset. It provides a vital outdoor learning space, enabling our cadets to continue their training activities regardless of the weather. This not only enhances the cadet experience but also promotes a more active and engaging learning environment for all pupils.”
Capt Graeme Norman, Contingent Commander said “our unit has a partnership with Manor CofE Academy, a local Community Education Partnership (CEP) school. This involves facilitating weapon training and handling tests for their students using the rifles housed in the St Peter’s School armoury. The canopy has significantly benefited this partnership by providing a suitable and safe environment for these training sessions.”
Cdt Florence Deri-Clark said “it has offered us shelter during the rainy season for regular parading and for after the weekend camps. I joined the CCF in 2022 before we got the canopy. There were times when the weather was against us and we didn’t have the luxury of any cover during those times.”
Repton School, Derbyshire
Repton School, which has CCF Army and CCF RAF sections, was awarded a grant of £5,000 for archery tag equipment and electronic reactive targets.
Maj Nick Gardner, Contingent Commander, said “the equipment we have received has been well used and the students have enjoyed the progression from static archery and air rifle shooting to gameplay and reactive shooting. We have a number of students on full scholarships and bursaries and they’ve enjoyed the activities we’ve been able to offer as a result of the grant purchases. We’ve offered out the kit to other organisations in the area, including Derbyshire ACF, City of Derby Academy CCF and City of Derby Sea Cadets and look forward to being able to support their training through collaboration. The archery tag equipment was also loaned to HMS Sherwood (Royal Naval Reserve unit for Nottingham and the East Midlands) before Christmas to help provide an adventurous training and team-building activity evening.”
The Duston School, Northampton
The state school, Duston School, which has a CCF Army section, was awarded a grant of £5,000 for expedition equipment and storage shelving. Among the items the school was able to purchase were GPS trackers, compasses and radio sets.
Cdt Emie Faulkner said “I appreciate being able to use our radios here at our contingent because it allows us to practice the protocol for radio chatter. It’s exciting, enjoyable and useful for my cadet learning in preparation for annual camp.”
Lt David Wootliff, Contingent Commander said “cadets can now feel more confident with some of the aspects of the cadet syllabus we had not previously covered. These include working with radios to set up networks or communicate when on command tasks around the school, on parade nights and on exercise. Having the same kit (such as the day sacks) means we don’t have cadets turning up at camp with plastic bags of kit or feeling left out. We want each cadet to have every opportunity to shine, especially at camp and the grant has been a huge benefit in helping us do this.”