Rising to the challenge – A Defining Year for Writhlington School CCF

Learn about how one contingent has moved from strength to strength over the past year!

We caught up with Writhlington School CCF to find out more about their recent success stories and what’s next for this thriving contingent.

Strength in Numbers

It has been a banner year for Writhlington School Combined Cadet Force (CCF). The contingency grew rapidly in numbers during 2025, following on from a very successful recruitment drive that exceeded all expectations. For the senior cadets and adult volunteers, whilst managing a rapidly growing contingent has been a logistical challenge, the new cadets transformed the atmosphere overnight, with the energy brought by the new cadets making a significant positive impact on everything the contingent has achieved since.

Welcoming a New Identity

As well as welcoming new cadets, the contingent has also welcomed a new cap badge, with cadets and adult volunteers now being affiliated with the Royal Corps of Signals. Transitioning across to the Royal Corps of Signals has meant that the contingent can now concentrate more on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathetmatics (STEM) activities, with a focus on and commitment to modern technology, communication, leadership and precision. STEM is crucial in equipping cadets with critical problem-solving and transferrable skills, all of which will help cadets in their future careers.

Cadet Milestones

The past year has been a successful one for Writhlington School CCF, with some notable achievements. The contingent follows the Army Cadet Syllabus and so the cadets are ranked and awarded based on this.

Over the past year, the contingent has successfully had:

20 cadets complete basic training

Seven cadets achieving 1* level

12 cadets achieving 2* level

Nine cadets achieving 3* level

Five cadets achieving 4* level

The contingent took home the Gold Medal at the HQ South West Military Skills (Mil-Skills) Competition

Two senior cadets completed Exercise Wyvern Warrior 2025

Six cadets attended and passed their Senior Cadet Instructor Cadre

24 cadets completed their Bronze National Navigation Award (NNAS)

Four cadets achieved their BTEC Level 2 in Teamwork and Personal Development

All of these are remarkable achievements and help to show the importance of promotion within the cadet forces. Qualifications and promotions are designed to help empower cadets and equip them with life skills such as resilience, communication, empathy, leadership and teamwork. All of these are transferable skills gained from valuable experiences, which can help prepare cadets for their next steps – whether this is within their chosen careers or further education.

Cadet Under Officer Kaity Pearcy commented “Being a cadet naturally offers unique experiences but this year has offered the most opportunities for us. From Exercise Wyvern Patrol, the contingent visiting London for the VE Day Celebration, Cambrian Patrol and our annual Summer Camp, all of these opportunities have helped us to work on our cadet knowledge and also our personal development.”

Leading from the Front at Senior Fieldcraft Weekend

The Senior Fieldcraft Weekend is a highly anticipated event in the CCF calendar as it gives cadets the chance to take part in action packed training that is designed to help build their leadership, resilience and tactical skills in an high-pressure environment. The cadets can take command of section level tactics, focusing on nighttime ambushes, patrols and complex section attacks. The senior cadets did an incredible job, with Captain Charlotte Mason, Contingent Commander, commenting “the growth of our Senior NCOs this year has been nothing short of exceptional. Their tireless dedication to the CCF and their ability to operate as a high-performing team have set a new standard for the contingent. We are incredibly proud of everything that our Cadets are achieving."

Looking Ahead

It looks set to be another busy, dynamic and adventurous year for Writhlington School CCF. The contingent is currently training for the hotly anticipated Cadet Cambrian Patrol 2026, where they will represent HQ South West. As well as this, cadets are busy prepping for Easter Camp, which will see all individual cadets competing against one another to be crowned champions and have their names embossed on to the sought after Easter Camp Shield!

Thank you so much to Captain Charlotte Mason, Contingent Commander, Writhlignton School CCF and to all the cadets for sharing their achievements over the past year. With your contingent continuing to gain momentum, we can’t wait to see what you will achieve during 2026.