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Original poster

Defence secretary announces more cadet units in schools to instil discipline and loyalty

97 replies

noblegiraffe · 04/10/2017 17:29

The Troops to Teachers programme to instil discipline in today's youth was a total failure (no one wanted to do it), so there's a new plan to bring the military to the disaffected and disobedient. 500 extra cadet units will be opened in schools across England and Wales by 2020, focusing on areas of particular deprivation or high ethnic minority representation(!)

www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-news/defence-secretary-announces-expansion-cadet-units-schools

OP posts:
itsascanal2 · 05/10/2017 08:37

Army cadets can be a lifeline for many poor, underprivileged children who are being systematically failed by the school system. Joining is voluntary. It offers young people a supportive, structured framework in which they can get a fresh start, meet new people and learn new skills. It is free - unlike most other extra curricular activities.There is no expectation or compulsion for them to go on to join the Army.

It’s all very well for the chattering classes to sneer at this and vaunt their pacifist credentials. Their children are probably learning violin and playing tennis in their spare time. Nice if you have £££££ to spare, and supportive family to pay fares or ferry you around. Many of the talented young people at cadets have none of this, and need help to get the uniform and to attend camps etc. It is one of the very few avenues open to them.

2014newme · 05/10/2017 08:25

Piggy all schools visit Parliament its part if the anti terrorist curriculum but it's only a few kids from each school each year.
Visiting Parliament doesn't give safe space to develop new skills for kids in poor areas though.

Piggywaspushed · 05/10/2017 08:01

I think if you looked at he average squaddie eolian , or watched the programmes on TV about young uns in the military, you would find that isn't actually the case.

There is still an active idea that if you a bit of a bad sort, the military is the place for you.

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 05/10/2017 07:33

Wow, that article about Labour's plans was much more full-on than the one about the Tory plans. To create a greater affiliation with the military and improve public perception of the armed forces?

Last month the National Union of Teachers pointed to evidence from the Rowntree Trust that suggested the MoD was focusing disproportionately on schools in the most disadvantaged areas and targeting vulnerable pupils without clearly outlining the risks of an army career.

Given that it was a Labour policy for different stated reasons and it is coming from the Dept for Defence not Education, this is quite clearly a recruitment drive.

OP posts:
WinnieTheW0rm · 05/10/2017 07:25

This is a New Labour policy - Gordon Brown 2008

www.theguardian.com/education/2008/apr/06/schools.uk

It's been quite a while since the Tories had a new idea.

Eolian · 05/10/2017 07:21

Seems a bit pointless really - I doubt the disobedient and disaffected will be the types likely to be queuing to join up. Or even if they were persuaded to, I doubt they'd stick at it once they found out they had to do as they are told.

Piggywaspushed · 05/10/2017 07:17

burn - yes, I think it is : to please the braying Tory backbenchers!

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 04/10/2017 22:34

It does concern me that it basically appears to be a recruitment drive for poor kids and ethnic minorities.

OP posts:
BurnTheBlackSuit · 04/10/2017 22:29

Is this some kind of National Service by the back door?

Piggywaspushed · 04/10/2017 18:20

See, this is what to do with the poor. teach them to follow orders unquestioningly. Bring back national service I say!!

That'll teach them to know their place.

Sorry - bit cynical. But, as I said, I'm a pacifist!

I prefer models in London where they take them to parliament, for example, and provide inspirational role models and speakers and mentors. Or schools who work with the support of sports clubs, for example. Or try to engage fathers.

The successes in London should all be broadened out.

Oh wait. Funding. Silly me.

noitsnotteatimeyet · 04/10/2017 18:16

Private schools tend to have Officer Training Corps rather than army cadets ...

Ginorchoc · 04/10/2017 18:13

What's dissaffected??

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 04/10/2017 18:10

Clavinova I think it's £50 million of new money, and the cadet website says that the expansion will now be targeted at poor kids where previously it was demand-led.

OP posts:
Kursk · 04/10/2017 18:09

The cadets used to offer some great opportunities, but in recent years with cuts, additional health and safety, and the military distancing themselves it has become a shell of what it used to be.

I do agree that the discipline respect and responsibility it teaches is a good thing.

NotResilient · 04/10/2017 17:55

Will it be what cadets can do to the disaffected or what the disaffected could do to cadets?

Piggywaspushed · 04/10/2017 17:52

I'm a pacifist so no thanks!!

I know it has its merits but I am sure there are better things. I saw a fabtastic thing about a boxing gym the other day . It's an Alternative Provision school (run by a woman!) and a mentor (who is/ was a boxer) works with them but he also comes and sits in English and maths lessons with them and works with them. Their academic results are amazing.

Lots of schools already have D of E.

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 04/10/2017 17:51

I wonder whether the opportunities that cadets will be getting at private school will be the same as the opportunities in the highly deprived, stuffed with ethnic minorities school.

OP posts:
2014newme · 04/10/2017 17:51

There was cadet unit at my school 30 years ago so it isn't new

Clavinova · 04/10/2017 17:50

I think Tes are reporting old news. This initiative was started about 5 years ago - there must be 300-400 cadet units in state schools now.

2014newme · 04/10/2017 17:35

Good idea.it's optional and the opportunities are fantastic.

BeyondThePage · 04/10/2017 17:33

My DD is an air cadet - she shoots guns. I don't want the disaffected and disobedient anywhere near guns.

Taxminion · 04/10/2017 17:31

What a load of old crap.