Pupils from Plymouth College are forging mutally beneficial academic and social links with Stoke Damerel Community College through a pioneering initiative. Stoke Damerel students have joined Plymouth College's Combined Cadet Force (CCF) to form one single unit and together, they regularly take part in a diverse programme of activities.
Earlier this week the CCF had its biennial inspection. One of the most important events in the CCF calendar, passing the inspection is a requirement of the MoD.
The inspection was carried out by Captain Stephen J Murdoch MBA Royal Navy, Captain HMS Raleigh. After the formal inspection on the parade ground, Captain Murdoch observed various training activities such as rifle firing on the range and a communications command task in the school grounds.
The initiative with Stoke Damerel has proved a huge success and the partnership has seen pupils from both schools sharing ideas and skills, which has helped them all develop their leadership and interpersonal skills. As well as the inspection, the cadets have taken part in a number of events together, including the Remembrance Sunday parade, outdoor field events and Ten Tors.
It was Plymouth College Headmaster Dr Simon Wormleighton who first approached Stoke Damerel with the idea of forging links through the cadet force.
"I am delighted with the way the partnership is developing," said Dr Wormleighton. "The Plymouth College CCF is one of the oldest cadet corps in the country and has given many generations of pupils a vast range of enriching opportunities. We look forward to a long association with Stoke Damerel."
Chris Carey, CCF Teacher Liaison at Stoke Damerel - who escorts between 20 and 25 pupil cadets to Plymouth College each week - said the partnership initiative was enhancing the education for students of both schools.
"The partnership we are forging with Plymouth College has a whole host of benefits for the students, not just educationally, but socially in the way they are thinking and working together," said Chris.
"What is so great about working with the college through the CCF is that it is egalitarian in its structure, all the students feel equal and that is so important in terms of their social and academic development."
