Army Section

On normal CCF afternoons, First Year cadets learn the rudiments of shooting, drill, navigation, fieldcraft, self reliance and first aid. Once in their second year, cadets learn to teach, give 10 minute talks, cope with leadership through initiative exercises, and also complete a Signals Course using radios. Half way through their second year, cadets who have passed the NCO Cadre Course are promoted and become Junior Corporals. In their new role, they teach First and Second Year cadets what they were taught. After another year they are eligible for promotion again, this time becoming either Corporals (who supervise and help Jnr Corporals teach), Sergeants (who are in charge of a year-group) or Colour Sergeant (who organises the whole section).

These term-time activities are punctuated by an assortment of Field Days and visits throughout the year, including opportunities to: shoot the L98 Cadet GP rifle, rock climb, mountain bike and visit service bases and to test both knowledge and ability in activities at Newfield.

Camps provide for many the highlight of the year, and it is good to see increasing numbers coming to the Easter and Summer Camps. The Camps provide a nice mixture of both military and adventurous training pursuits.

RAF Section

The school RAF section offers the best of several worlds, providing substantial amounts of flying, during the term and on camp, as well as many outdoor activities. Cadets gain regular Air Experience Flying during term-time in both the Bulldog powered training aircraft and Viking gliders. Events such as the annual Puma helicopter tour of Edinburgh complement the diversity of air experience available through the termly programme and on camp.

During the Easter and Summer holidays cadets go to camp on RAF bases nationwide. While there, they enjoy flying in new aircraft, night exercises and section visits, to see the different areas of the RAF at work. Older boys may do work experience with the different sections. In addition to the main Summer and Easter Camps there are a variety of other camps and courses, to which the Academy regularly sends cadets. These include camps in Cyprus and Germany, the RAF Halton Leadership course and both Gliding & Flying Scholarships. There is also the opportunity to take part in the International Air Cadet Exchange, a prestigious exchange scheme admitting only nine cadets from the UK.

The RAF Section’s popularity within the School is reflected by the large numbers volunteering to join and the fact that 75-80% of cadets choose to remain in the section after the compulsory first year.

Pipe Band

One of the advantages of a large campus at Henderson Row is a lot of room for a marching band. The Academy CCF takes full advantage of this with its Pipes and Drums. A piper is seen on the left in full dress parade in the main yard for the annual summer exhibition.

Since the foundation of the band in 1910,  Academy pipers have been privileged to learn under a number of distinguished teachers.  The Band is currently under the tuition of double award winner Pipe-Major Colin MacLellan who was Pipe-Major of the Lothian and Borders Police Pipe Band from 1998-2004.

 The enthusiasm and skill of the Pipes and Drums which have resulted from this expert tuition over the years have been rewarded by 16 victories in the Scottish Schools Competition and by the appreciation of all who hear and see their marching displays in the school, in the community and overseas.

Navy Section

For the navy, sailing is an important part of the course. Summer sailing is enthusiastically undertaken (even the capsize drill!). The national regatta sees a keen young team put in some creditable performances amongst a very large fleet.

Camps provide for many the culmination of the year, and it is good to see increasing numbers coming on the Easter Adventure Training Camp in Inverness. A number go on the Summer Camp with great success.