I am currently working with my school to establish a CCF unit at my school.
a large percentage of pupils are interested in cadets and although Iām keen for it to be established, what could we do on a nightly basis. We would be prepared to invest in kit for activities with the right funding.
As is, we have a large field with sports equipment, a gym, endless amount of classrooms with computer facilities and a music department.
any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Generally CCF units have very little time as it is done after school and not like a community unit.
You will fill your time with the curriculum items of whichever force your unit decides to join most likely.
I am a CCF(RAF) Section Commander in a State School Contingent, and as @bob1 says - we get a fraction of the time that a Community Cadet does. Think 2 hours per parade, once a week, in term time vs 2+ hours twice a week, 51 weeks of the year.
So in reality, yes, a lot of it is core syllabus. However, it can be cranked through quite quickly if the Cadets are keen and want to be there.
Then it is down to what can be achieved using the equipment you have access to & the connections your staff make to local ATC Sqns and other CCF units to share facilities.
On my unit we do a lot of shooting, leadership, fieldcraft, flight sim & enter the Royal Air Squadron Trophy each year, even placing 3rd nationally not too long ago. Opportunities to fly and glide are there too, from time to time. We also work hard to build relationships within the wider RAF (and Army!) to secure visits for our Cadets.
It really comes down to how proactive the staff team is in a lot of cases.
Is there a local CCF unit you could visit to look at ideas? Ideally one with similar constraints on timing/funding.