Co-Curricular & Enrichment

The CCF is a national youth organisation sponsored by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Brentwood School CCF is one of the oldest and largest Combined Cadet Forces in the country. It mobilises our students to be adventurous and team-spirited and focuses on leadership skills, responsibility, self-reliance and endurance.

After completing the CCF syllabus in Year 9 and 10 and learning how to teach in Year 11,our Lower Sixth cadets are ready to implement their leadership and presentation skills in teaching the Year 9 and 10 cadets. Leadership shown in the Lower Sixth determines which Senior NCO positions are awarded for the Upper Sixth.

Lower Sixth cadets also have the opportunity to lead stands or play enemy on field days, and go away on camps and courses such as Adventurous Training and Summer Camp to continue to develop their leadership skills. In addition, they hold leading roles in competitions such as Combat Cadet or Air Squadron Trophy as well as those taking on prominent roles in ceremonial events such as Remembrance Day or Inspection Days.

The CCF Fast Track programme is open to new Sixth Form joiners and is an opportunity for students to have a ‘fast track’ to become a Sixth Form NCO (leader). Fast Track cadets join their Lower Sixth peers around February Half term where they step into the role of a leader. It is a steep learning curve but for committed cadets, it is a really enjoyable developmental experience!

CCF at Brentwood

The Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award and the Great Outdoors (GO) is an integrated programme of learning beyond the classroom, designed to ignite a passion for the great outdoors while fostering essential life skills. It is a transformative journey designed to empower students with diverse knowledge and skills that will help them thrive and succeed long into the future.

The DofE Award is an internationally recognised award that employers, universities and individuals value for its impact on young people. Through the various sections of the award, participants develop skills in their choice of activities, spend time in the great outdoors and are of service to their communities.

At Gold level (16+) there is an additional residential section. Field days also include residential outdoor adventure activities and practice and assessed expeditions.

DofE at Brentwood

The Voluntary Service Activity, or VSA is the centre of social enterprise, community and charitable promotion at the School. It prides itself on developing forward-thinking, compassionate young people who have the desire to make positive change in the School and local communities.

The VSA programme is based around the ethos of Awareness, Outreach, and Action. During their time in the VSA, our students raise awareness about issues that are important to them; loneliness and isolation in the vulnerable community; how to create an eco-friendly environment; working with those with special needs, and learning vital skills such as British Sign Language and First Aid.

In the Sixth Form, students can elect to be Senior Leaders, where they help organise and run sessions for the younger students in VSA or in our KS3 Service programme. A highlight of the VSA calendar is hosting local care home residents for our Christmas party, and our Sixth Form VSA students work very hard to plan this event.

Volunteering is an excellent asset for any university or job application, but more than that, it allows our Sixth Form students to truly become ‘well-rounded’ and a credit to those they interact with. Find out more here.

VSA at Brentwood