Returning to his former school decades after leaving, Chris Conley has helped reshape the CCF at Bradford Grammar School into a thriving, structured and ambitious programme.
When a call went out for volunteers to support Bradford Grammar School’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF) a few years ago, I knew it was something I could help shape.
I’ve been involved in cadets for most of my adult life, and I understand the value it can bring—but also the commitment it takes. It’s not something you dip in and out of. If you do it, you do it properly.
A Personal Connection to Bradford Grammar School
As an Old Bradfordian, having been at BGS from 1974 to 1982, there was also a strong personal connection. I wasn’t in the CCF myself at school—rugby rather took over at the time—but it always felt like something I’d missed.
So, when the opportunity came to support the contingent and to build something meaningful for today’s students, it felt important to step forward.
What began as a supporting role within the RAF section quickly developed into wider involvement across the contingent, and ultimately into my current role as Contingent Commander in January 2024.
From Engineering to Education and Leadership
My path into education and training has come through a fairly varied career. After studying at BGS, I went into engineering through an apprenticeship – something that wasn’t the most common route at the time.
I went on to become a chief engineer within a large European logistics company, before moving into teaching and wider leadership and training roles.
I’ve been involved in cadets since 1985, eventually becoming a commissioned RAF Air Cadets officer and running a unit for eight years. I’ve also spent much of my career working in outdoor education and leadership, including delivering adventurous training for the military and training others to take young people into the outdoors.
Leading CCF at Bradford Grammar School
When I became Contingent Commander at BGS, the CCF was in a position where it needed some renewed momentum. Numbers were lower than we wanted, but there was a strong foundation to build on.
Together with the team, we put in place a five-year plan with a clear goal: to have ten per cent of the senior school voluntarily involved in cadets. That’s ambitious in any school, but particularly at BGS, where students already have so many opportunities competing for their time.
Today, we have around 70 cadets, split almost evenly between our Army and RAF sections. The RAF section focuses more on aviation, leadership and air-minded activities, while the Army section develops fieldcraft, discipline and practical military skills.
We also have representation from every year group, which is something we’ve worked hard to achieve. That growth has been rapid—but more importantly, it has been sustainable.
Growing CCF at BGS
Recruitment is rarely the challenge in CCF. Retention is.
At a school like BGS, where students are talented, busy and spoilt for choice, you have to offer something genuinely worthwhile to keep them engaged. That has been our focus from day one.
The strength of the CCF here lies in the students themselves.
In a community cadet unit, you are often introducing young people to opportunities they’ve never had before. At BGS, it’s different. Our cadets are already highly capable and involved in a wide range of activities, which raises the bar for what we need to deliver.
A Broad and Ambitious CCF Programme
It means we have to be thoughtful and ambitious in our programme. We offer a broad and balanced experience—military skills, leadership development, adventurous training and aviation opportunities through the RAF.
Cadets have access to flying and gliding, national courses, annual camps and competitions, all of which help broaden their experience well beyond the classroom.
We have also introduced a structured approach to progression. Whether it’s marksmanship badges, leadership roles or technical knowledge, cadets work towards clear standards and achievements they can build on year by year.
Learning to Lead Through CCF
But what matters most is how they grow as individuals, and one of the most powerful aspects of the CCF is that cadets teach cadets.
Our senior students take responsibility for training younger ones—planning sessions, delivering lessons and leading activities. As staff, we guide and support, but we do not stand at the front and instruct. That ownership is what builds real confidence.
Seeing a Year 11 student leading a session for Year 7s, or a Sixth Former mentoring younger cadets, is where the impact really comes to life. They’re not just learning skills—they are learning how to lead.
Building Skills for Life
We also focus on practical life skills early on. Every cadet completes first aid and CPR training within their first few months. It’s a simple but vital qualification, and one that they carry with them well beyond school life.
We are only partway through our five-year plan, but the progress so far has been very encouraging. The next phase is about consolidation and growth—expanding opportunities while continuing to refine what we offer. We want the CCF to be something students choose because it genuinely adds value to their time at BGS.
Growing the CCF Team at BGS
We’re actively growing our team of volunteers and staff, and this is one of the most exciting parts of what comes next.
Each brings something different—military experience, teaching expertise or skills developed in other careers—and together they make the CCF richer for our students.
For adults, it can also be a highly fulfilling experience, both professionally and personally. There are opportunities to develop leadership, management, and outdoor training skills while being part of something that genuinely impacts young people.
We’re always keen to hear from people who feel they could contribute, even in a small way. The more high-quality adults we have involved, the more we can offer students in terms of opportunity, challenge and support.
Giving Back to BGS
For me, this is also about giving something back.
BGS played a significant role in shaping who I am. It instilled resilience, a strong work ethic and the belief that if you are good at something, you should pursue it fully. Being able to return and contribute to that environment—particularly in a way that supports the next generation—is incredibly rewarding.
“BGS played a significant role in shaping who I am. It instilled resilience, a strong work ethic and the belief that if you are good at something, you should pursue it fully.”