The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is a youth organisation sponsored by the Ministry of Defence which operates in schools throughout the country.

The CCF at Freemen’s is run in conjunction with Glyn School in Epsom, Surrey.


The aims of the CCF are to promote self-reliance, teamwork, leadership, and camaraderie in a disciplined environment. Cadets learn skills such as weapons handling, shooting, fieldcraft, drill, navigation and first aid. These build towards progressive training awards which can be earned at the end of the training programme.

Cadets choose to join the RAF section or the Army section; this will determine what activities and training programme they will follow. Each year, the Contingent runs numerous weekend training events, range days and a week-long camp during the Easter holidays. In the summer holidays, the cadets attend an Army or RAF annual camp for a week. 

The Contingent was formed in September 2013 as part of the National Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP). From 50 cadets who initially started, we have grown to 140 cadets, with three platoons of Army and two flights of RAF cadets. 

As a member of the Cadet Forces, you can use your Cadet activity towards achieving a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE). There is a lot of overlap between DofE programmes and the activities you might take part in as an Army or Air Cadet. 

Many cadet-related activities which you take part in can count towards your DofE sections at Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.