08-05-2025
Britain's children should be given army-style training at school Cadet camps to improve standards of behaviour, think tank urges
More pupils should learn army-style discipline through school-based cadet schemes, a think thank has urged.
The New Britain Project (TNBP) is calling for the number of schools offering the programme to double from 268 to 500 by 2029.
Research shows Combined Cadet Force (CFF) units in schools can reinforce 'discipline' and 'standards of behaviour'.
In addition, cadet participants have better attendance, aspiration, resilience and a greater sense of belonging.
TNBP, a centre-Left think tank, said increasing cadet participation among pupils would likely have public backing.
Its polling of 2,000 adults found 55 per cent back extending cadets into more schools, with just seven per cent opposed.
And 60 per cent of those polled said they would encourage their child or someone they know to join the cadets.
In addition, 62 per cent thought cadets help pupils feel a greater sense of 'national duty'.
The CCF is a voluntary, school-based programme supported by the Ministry of Defence but its focus is not army recruitment.
Pupils take part in structured, challenging activities aimed at building character – including fieldcraft, first aid, leadership tasks and expeditions.
Research from Northampton University's Institute for Social Innovation and Impact (ISII) found one benefit of CCF is better behaviour in schools.
The paper said: 'A significant minority of children do not have a homelife that imposes standards and discipline, or positive role models.
'For these children, being a member of a CCF contingent may be the first time they have been told that they cannot do something, but must behave in certain ways.
'For such children, the social impact of the CCF cannot be overstated.'
TNBP said the case for expanding the CCF programme is 'stronger than ever' amid rising behaviour challenges in schools and high pupil absence.
It has called on the Government to set a long-term ambition to make cadets a mainstream offer in state secondary schools, alongside music, sport, art and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
Currently, only one in 13 state secondary schools currently offer cadets and around 80 schools stuck on a waiting list.
The think tank's poll, conducted by More In Common, found 73 per cent of respondents thought cadets could improve pupil health, while 59 per cent said it would help mental health.
Anna McShane, director of TNBP, said: 'The CCF isn't a silver bullet. It can't replace investment in teaching, mental health, or youth services.
'But it is a practical, proven tool, already in use in hundreds of schools, that could be scaled to support thousands more pupils, especially those who stand to benefit the most.'
