How do you do classifications? (Operationalising)

Adult Staff
1

If a cadet has achieved there first class, for example, do you let them loose on the leading syllabus?

What I mean by that is, how do you make sure that the cadet is learning the content as opposed to just going home and googling/chatgtping the crap out of it in order to progress through the syllabus of leading and senior at lightning speed?

Do you only open the exam for the classification once they have been through training on the squadron, or is it automatic on SMS/Bader that once they have been awarded one classification they are automatically allowed to study toward the next

2

That’s our protocol as far as I’m aware. Pointless to do otherwise - you could have cadets up at Master in a relatively short time.

3

Yeah, we still structure proper lessons for all the leading stuff, but are more flexible for senior and MAC.

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4

Yeah, you have to manually register the cadets for exams, so they can’t just skip ahead. I wait until we’ve delivered all the lessons for a subject before I register them.

How often you do lessons is up to you but I think the general guideline is that a cadet gains one classification a year, i.e. they’re not rushing through it.

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5

One classification per year. Instructor led lessons. Exams released to cadets on completion of each subject lessons.

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6

In general one classification per year but accelerate for late starter.

Aim is to have completed senior before they start sixth form.

Master is now optional & cadets self study for it if they wish but we don’t do instructor based lessons at Sqn.

7

We’ve changed our annual programme this year.

The winter term (Sept - Dec) is the academic term, with Mondays being the delivery of whichever classification you’re on (bar first class, which is its own intake system).

Exams then have to be taken on squadron. Cadets are able to refer to any notes they’ve taken during their studies, but we ensure they’re not simply googling all the answers.

This ensures we can confirm that they actually have studied and grown familiar with the content, rather than simply bouncing from one exam to the next with the book open.

We do also permit study from home for those with an appetite for progression, but exams are still undertaken from the unit.

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8

Ignoring first class which have their own timetable, we do 2 academic nights a months and keep everything “on Sqn” , so no academics done at home at all.

Leading is a bit quicker to gain than Snr or Master because of how much knowledge is needed.