New Army Cadet Force to be based at Shrewsbury College
The Shropshire Army Cadet Force is set to form a new Platoon at Shrewsbury College from September.
Staff Sergeant Instructor Gray from Shropshire Army Cadet Force (ACF), will run the Shrewsbury College Platoon (RIFLES), which will parade on a Wednesday afternoon from 2-4pm at the College on London Road, as part of the College’s already vibrant enrichment programme.
A special recruitment event will be held at the College along with the Army Reserve Platoon on 6 July from 9am to 1pm, as part of the College’s Welcome Event for students starting this September. As part of the merger proposal, all students aged 16-18 from Shrewsbury College, Shrewsbury Sixth Form College and New College Telford are invited to participate.
Shrewsbury College staff will also be invited to be trained and contribute to the cadet force.
Catherine Armstrong, Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Operations, said: “Our Enrichment programme is an important part of every student’s time at the college. It aims to provide our students with a wealth of different learning and leisure activities, which enhance their chosen subjects, enrich them as individuals and provide the opportunity for them to try new things.
“We are always seeking to expand opportunities for students and are really pleased that this partnership is being developed. We aim to launch the Platoon on 5 September, 2016 during the College’s induction week, and will be busy informing all current students and applicants about this exciting opportunity in advance of this date.”
The Army will be informing current Senior Cadets that should they be moving to Shrewsbury College to study in September, they can transfer to the new Platoon.
SSI Gray said: “Being an Army Cadet means that you get to do lots of activities you wouldn’t normally do, we will teach you leadership skills, discipline and give you self-confidence you never thought possible. You will learn a wide range of transferable skills such as the ability to command tasks, make decisions under pressure, plan and organise tasks and work as an effective team player as well as independently, anybody that enjoys been outside and wants to push themselves further than they knew they could this is defiantly something for them.”
