Combined Cadet Force (CCF)
Hurst cadets established 1860
Hurst’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF) encompasses the Royal Navy, Army and Air Force sections.
Taking part in the CCF promotes personal responsibility, leadership and self-discipline. It is compulsory for all Remove (Year 10) students to take part in one of the CCF sections, and is then optional in subsequent years up to the Sixth Form.
One of oldest CCFs in England
The Hurst CCF is one of 260 school contingents and is an educational partnership between the College and the Ministry of Defence. We are proud that Hurst College was one of the first six schools in England to establish an Offer’s Corporation for cadets in 1860, and was the only public school corporation in Sussex for 36 years. Our Combined Cadet Force, which was established in 1887, remains one of the oldest in the country.
CCF Army section
In the CCF Army section the programme for the Remove (Year 10) caters to the basic skills of Drill and Discipline, and Expedition sections of the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award. In the Fifth Form (Year 11) the emphasis is much more on infantry skills and includes fieldcraft, map and compass work. Day and night exercises are held during term time and there is an annual camp in the summer break.
CCF Royal Air Force section
The CCF RAF section’s syllabus for the Remove (Year 10) is designed to prepare the cadets for an Air Experience Flight and a Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award. In the Fifth Form (Year 11), for those who have passed the theory tests, there are opportunities for flying gliders and powered aircraft. Survival training, linked to escape and evasion exercises, are also part of the programme.
CCF Royal Navy section
The CCF Royal Navy programme concentrates on the basics of seamanship and self-reliance and includes working towards a Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award. There are trips to naval bases, and courses are available throughout the year for a wide range of seamanship and sailing activities. The Royal Navy programme also allows access to a large number of training courses that lead to RYA qualification.
