Combined Cadet Force (RN) Syllabus - CCF (RN) 2001 Syllabus

 

Introduction
This syllabus came into operation in September 2001 and remains the current syllabus for all cadets.

 

Publication
Any changes to the CCF (RN) 2001 Syllabus will be published on this website and also in the monthly Bulletin publication. From time to time supporting material will be produced on CD-ROM and issued to all CCF (RN) Contingents.

 

Philosophy
The design of the syllabus has been based on the following principles:

• Aims, Objectives and principles of training in the CCF (JSP 313).
• Alignment of activities to certification from National Governing bodies.
• A syllabus divided into stages, each of which should take about one academic year of instruction to complete. (This assumes about 40 hours of instructional time is available).
• Activity afloat forms a core part of the syllabus.
• Generic risk assessments are available for all activities within the syllabus.

Support Materials
These will form an integral part of the syllabus. The content of the provided materials should be taken to represent the minimum knowledge required by the cadets. Use of these materials is not compulsory and it is hoped that Cadet Senior Rates will be encouraged to produce their own materials, or add to those provided. When this is the case, sections are requested to send a copy of the material to the Training Development Officer at HQCCF (RN), for inclusion in the resources library.

RN CCF Training Policy
The following paragraphs are written for the benefit of new CCF Officers, for Parent Establishment Liaison Officers (PELO) and for RN Inspecting Staff.

• Factors.For each RN Section there are a number of individual factors, which affect the seasonal pattern of training and the emphasis given to the different parts of the syllabus. These factors must be taken into account when deciding on the training policy and programme for the section.
• Pre-Service Section.In schools which operate a Pre-Service Section, some of the RN CCF training syllabus may have been covered prior to enrolment in the CCF, but see JSP 313 paragraph 0205.
• Age. A programme suitable for a section, which enrolls Cadets at age 16, may not suit a section, which enrolls Cadets at 14.
• Academic Ability. Some sections will need to put more emphasis than others on physical and practical aspects of training.
• Compulsory / Optional / Voluntary and Length of Service.The degree of compulsion to join the CCF, if any, and the length of time Cadets expect to spend in the CCF may affect the scope and impact of training. The minimum period of service for Cadets is normally two years, but see JSP 313 paragraph 0132.
• Timing of Entry.The seasonal pattern of training in schools which enroll Cadets each term will differ from that in schools which enroll Cadets only once a year.
• Time Available for Training.The number of parades per term, and the number of hours available for each training period, varies between schools. The training achievement over a set period therefore also varies.
• Training Resources.The availability of facilities and supervision will affect which options in the syllabus a section undertakes. For example, the availability of qualified instructors and types of boat will affect the training carried out in the "Afloat Training" strand of the syllabus.
• Expertise. The degree of expertise and experience among the Officers in different sections varies widely.
• Service Assistance.The frequency of visits by the RN Area Instructor (AI) depends on the number of schools in a CCF RN area, which train on the same day. Different Parent Establishments are able to furnish different levels of assistance.
• Flexibility.The long-term programme needs to be stable so that Cadets can see the way ahead. The short-term programme should be flexible to take account of weather factors, visits etc.
• Theory and Practice.Experience has shown that the best way of arranging the syllabus training is to link the theoretical work to a major practical activity (or activities), planned for the near future. These events, or goals, to be striven for should be planned into the programme so that another is on the horizon as the first is about to be achieved. Obviously in a RN Section these events should ideally be activities afloat or visits to, or from, RN establishments or ships.

Syllabus
The 2001 syllabus has been designed with the above factors in mind. Where it is thought necessary, flexibility has been included in the syllabus to allow sections to make use of local expertise or facilities. The timing of the teaching of different strands of the syllabus, or the topics within the strands, is left to the discretion of the Officer - in - Charge (OiC) of the section. This should allow the efficient use of contingent resources, including the use of tri-service training where appropriate.

The syllabus has been set up with three sequential stages: Proficiency, Advanced Proficiency and Continuation Training. Each of these will normally take about one academic year to achieve. The subject matter has been divided into four strands, which are common to the three levels of the syllabus. The strands are:

• The Individual
• RN Knowledge
• Activity Afloat
• Expedition Skills

Where the syllabus requires cadets to obtain National Governing Body qualifications for completion of training in a particular strand, these may be counted whether or not the activities are undertaken in CCF time. However the cadet should show that he/she has made progress in the activity, after commencing the level of the syllabus that they are currently following.

Leadership Training
This now forms an integral part of the Proficiency and Advanced Proficiency syllabuses. Cadets should be encouraged to attend the Leadership Courses arranged by HQ CCF (RN).

Control
While giving as much discretion as possible to the OiCs of Sections to allow for varying circumstances, there is a need to exercise some control to ensure that standards throughout the RN CCF are maintained, and where necessary improved. Having decided on their sections training policy and long-term programme, OiCs should take the opportunity of discussing these with their RN AI. Further advice may be sought from the Training Development Officer (TDO) at HQ CCF (RN). Any major deviation from the syllabus must be cleared with the TDO.

A section's training policy and programme should be issued in writing so that progress and efficiency can be monitored.

Safety in Training

• Rules Applicable to Training. Training should be in accordance with JSP 313 paragraphs 0212 - 0215, the CCF (RN) Syllabus and TARS.
• Risk Assessments.Generic Risk Assessments (GRA) are provided for activities in the syllabus. Local Risk Assessments (LRA) must be completed by the OiC and recorded on the form contained in the syllabus, before the activity takes place. OiCs are responsible for retaining the LRA's and for recording that the requirements of these have been met on each occasion that an activity takes place.
• Achievement of Safety. The achievement of safety in training can never be a matter solely of reference to rules. The experience and currency in practice of those responsible for independent groups is paramount. Activities must not be conducted beyond the limits of prudence imposed by either of these two considerations or the risk assessment. Rules, which lay down standards and qualifications for supervisory staff, are of great importance to the achievement of safety. Safety rules and other references designated as governing CCF activities are in JSP 313 part 2 and reference MUST be made to this section before planning or executing any adventurous activity. Reference to HQ CCF (RN) for guidance is to be made before embarking on any adventurous activity not listed there.

Assessment and Advancement Procedures
The syllabus topic pages set out the learning outcomes expected for each activity. As the requirements of each school will vary, arrangements for assessment are left with OiCs.

Advancement to Cadet AB can take place when a cadet has completed:

• Three months service and,
• Strands 1 and 2 of the Proficiency Syllabus (2001).

Rules for Advancement to L/S and PO under the new syllabus will be published as part of the roll out process.

Non Web-based Resources
The following resources contain material, which can be used to support the syllabus:

• Give Him Air, BDFL Video
• Don't Let Him Die, BDFL Video
• Cold Water Casualty, BDFL Video
• We'll Keep a Welcome, BDFL Video
• Ceremonial Duties for Carrying Out Colours and Sunset, BDFL Video
• Combined Cadet Force (RN) Resources CD - Spring 2001
• Combined Cadet Force (RN) Resources CD - Autumn 2001

Use of the BDFL Videos is solely at the discretion of OiCs. They should ensure that they are suitable for the groups of cadets in their charge before viewing.

Combined Cadet Force (RN) Proficiency Syllabus Topics

Topics for the 2001 Proficiency Syllabus are shown below, together with the approximate time allocation required for each topic to be studied.

More Information: Proficiency Syllabus