Fallon: 31 new cadet units in state schools as report reveals social mobility benefits

Defence Secretary, Sir Michael Fallon, has today announced the approval of 31 new cadet units in state schools as a new independent report shows that cadet units increase social mobility and help disadvantaged children reach their full potential.

Speaking at the Albion Academy in Manchester, itself a school which has a Cadet Force, Sir Michael announced the new cadet units which are part of the Conservatives commitment to increase the number of cadet units to 500 by 2020 through the Cadet Expansion Programme.

These new units are focused on schools in areas of high deprivation and high ethnic minority representation as part of our plan to build a country that works for everyone. It includes the first cadet unit to be approved under the programme in Wales.

Speaking at the Albion Academy, Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:

“I want more young people from all backgrounds to have the opportunity to be cadets. Cadets help instil values of discipline and loyalty. They develop leadership skills and confidence. For too long cadet units have been the preserve of independent schools but thanks to this Conservative Government more children in state schools will reap the benefits.”

The independent report, compiled by the University of Northampton, undertook research across the entire cadet programme and found:

• ·         Cadet Forces contribute to increasing social mobility and decreasing social disadvantage
• ·         Children excluded from school who join the Cadets are more likely to have improved attendance and behaviour on their return to school.
• ·         Cadet Forces help children receiving Free School Meals achieve their potential.
• ·         The social impact of Cadet Forces is vastly greater than the annual cost of the cadet programme to the defence budget.
• ·         Cadet Forces help make communities more inclusive by helping people to overcome disadvantages in the way school does not.
• ·         Serving soldiers who used to be in the Cadets are four times more likely to be a senior non-commissioned officer or an officer.

The report also found that Cadet Forces help to develop an individual’s communication, confidence and leadership skills, as well as increasing their awareness of the Armed Forces and improves respect for veterans.

The new cadet units, established under the MOD and Department for Education’s Cadet Expansion Programme is backed by £50 million funding from LIBOR fines, which pays for set up costs, the cadets’ uniforms, equipment and training. The additional funding provided by this programme will only be for state schools that apply to open a new Combined Cadet Force Unit.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The full University of Northampton report can be found here: https://www.northampton.ac.uk/research/research-institutes/institute-for-social-innovation-and-impact/social-impact-resulting-from-expenditure-on-cadets

The full list of schools that will host Cadet units:

Acklam Grange School, Lodore Grove, Middlesbrough, TS5 8PB

Bishop Heber High School Chester Road, Cheshire, SY14 8JD

Bloomfield Collegiate School, Astoria Gardens Upper Newtownards Road Belfast Antrim BT5 6HW 

Chessington Community School, Garrison Lane, Chessington, Surrey  KT9 2JS  

Essa Academy, Lever Edge Lane, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL3 3HH 

Fitzalan High School, Lawrenny Avenue, Cardiff, CF11 8XB 

Folkestone Academy, Academy Lane, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 5FP 

Harris Academy, Perth Road, Dundee, DD2 1NL 

Heath Park, Prestwood Road, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV11 1RD 

ISCA, Earl Richards Road South, Exeter EX2 6A

Kilwinning Academy, Dalry Road, Kilwinning North Ayrshire KA13 7HD 

Kingsford Community School, Kingsford Way, Beckton, London E6 5JG

Leicester College c/o Freemen's Park Campus, Aylestone Road, Leicestershire, LE2 7LW 

Lisnagarvey High School, Warren Gdns Lisburn Antrim BT28 1HN 

Magnus Church of England Academy, Earp Avenue, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 4AB 

Manor Church of England Academy Trust, Millfield Lane, Nether Poppleton, York, North Yorkshire, YO26 6PA 

North East Wolverhampton Academy, Marsh Lane, Fordhouses, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV10 6SE

North Somerset Enterprise and Technology College (NSETC) Beaufighter Road, Weston-Super-Mare, Avon BS24 8EE 

Royton and Crompton School, Blackshaw Lane, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL2 6NT 

Scarborough UTC, Ashburn Road, Eastfield, Scarborough, YO11 3UY 

Sirius Academy North, 540 Hall Road, Hull East Yorkshire, HU6 9BP

St Matthew's RC High School, Nuthurst Road, Manchester, Lancashire, M40 0EW 

Stationers Crown Woods Academy, 145 Bexley Road, Eltham, London  SE9 2PT 

The Bishop's Blue Coat Cof E High School, Vaughans Lane, Great Boughton, Chester, Cheshire CH3 5XF

The Elizabethan Academy, Hallcroft Road, Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 7PY 

The King's Academy, Stainton Way, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough TS8 0GA 

The Petersfield School, Cranford Road, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 3LU  

University Technical College Norfolk, Old Hall Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 6FF 

UTC Warrington, Dallam Lane, Warrington, Cheshire, WA2 7NG 

Westbourne Academy, Marlow Road, Suffolk, IP1 5JN

Weston College, Knightstone Road, Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset, BS23 2AL