Every member of the Fourth form and many other students and staff enjoy 'CCF' on Wednesday afternoons, when 380 cadets and 20 officers take part in activities in the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the Army and the Royal Air Force. As part of the training programme there are opportunities throughout the year to participate in overnight exercises, courses and week-long adventurous training and military camps to enable cadets to put into practice what they have learnt, sometimes in the company of cadets from other schools.
The aim of the Combined Cadet Force is to provide a framework through which young people develop the qualities of team work, self-reliance, resourcefulness, leadership and responsibility. It also aims to engender a sense of public service. In addition it gives them opportunities to take part in some military training together with outdoor activities, including the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Each section follows a syllabus laid down by the Ministry of Defence and there is a balance struck between military, leadership and adventurous training (outdoor) activities, in essence between learning and personal development. At the senior cadet level the emphasis is on giving valuable experience in leadership from their roles in both helping to manage their section and learning how to deliver training successfully to junior cadets. This enables senior cadets the opportunity to complete the required service element for the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.