Our unique location, at the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park, provides us with the natural resources to extend our classroom beyond the walls of the school. Through adventure and adventurous learning, our pupils learn directly about the environment, each other and themselves.
Our Combined Cadet Force and Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme is long established, alongside these, from September 2020, pupils will be able to access the Beacon Course.
The Beacons Course adventure programme is a series of progressive and challenging outdoor activities aimed at encouraging our pupils’ physical, spiritual, social and moral development. We believe building self-reliance and self-confidence are fundamental to our pupils’ preparation for life, during and post education.
The programme will provide all Year 4 to Year 12 students with three multi activity days each year. Each student will be given the opportunity to immerse themselves in the outdoor environment: paddling; climbing; walking and exploring with their classmates. Through this activity children will face new, exciting challenges and through teamwork, communication, goal setting and leadership they will succeed and build their self-confidence. It will also be tremendous fun!
Duke of Edinburgh
Many pupils complete the Gold Award by the end of their Upper Sixth year.
Most of Year M10 pupils begin their Bronze award. The boarding school environment is ideal for helping them with the completion of their skills, physical recreation and community service.
The situation of Christ College in the heart of the Beacons is an added bonus. Pupils have completed conservation work on Pen-y-Fan and participated in expeditions in the National Park.
Combined Cadet Force
There are Combined Cadet Force (CCF) contingents in over 400 secondary schools all over the UK, offering young people a broad range of challenging, exciting, adventurous and educational activities. The aim is to enable the development of personal responsibility, leadership and self-discipline. Each CCF is an educational partnership between the school and the Ministry of Defence, and a CCF may include Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army or Royal Air Force sections.
Christ College Brecon have both Army and RAF sections. Membership is compulsory in Year 9 and Year 10 and voluntary for Year11 – Year13. Gareth Pearson, as Head, is the Commanding Officer of The CCF, and delegates the task of running the Contingent to Major Ian Owen, who is, therefore The Contingent Commander. Flt Lt Jonathan Cooper is the Officer Commanding (OC) of the RAF Section and Lt Rhiannon Goodrich helps out with the Army Section.
The School Staff Instructor (SSI) is the person who is responsible for ensuring that all CCF training is carried out in accordance with MoD Policy, and, most importantly safely. The SSI is normally someone with Regular Military experience and is able to advise the school and teachers of best practice. The SSI is the main liaison between the MoD and the School.
The CCF at Christ College Brecon does lots of activities including drill, weapon handling, expedition skills, outdoor pursuits, shooting, leadership training not just on a Thursday afternoon, but also on camps and all over the world!
For more information about the CCF visit https://combinedcadetforce.org.uk/
