Abingdon Impact Report

16 Community Service Service and Citizenship Over 60 pupils and 7 members of staff each term visit local residents in their care homes, the community hospital, provide support in the Oxfam shop and visit many of our local primary schools. Through this programme our pupils gain a greater appreciation of the lives of those around them. They also build lasting memories and friendships with the people they visit. The pupils host a very popular tea party at School each term for the elderly residents they meet through their volunteering. Combined Cadet Force (CCF) Abingdon’s CCF is highly regarded for its excellent standards with a number of cadets joining the armed forces as commissioned officers. Training for cadets does much to prepare them for a highly demanding modern world. It emphasises and develops leadership qualities, resilience, stretch and challenge, teamwork and responsibility. Tony Edwards (OA 1962) was instrumental in helping to set up the RAF section of Abingdon’s CCF whilst a pupil here. He went on to enjoy a highly successful aviation and engineering business career but never lost sight of how his cadet experience helped to prepare him for life ahead. Tony wanted to give back to this valuable area of School life. His donations have enabled the CCF to invest in three state-of-the-art flight simulators, five training drones and two MTa construction learning kits. This equipment puts Abingdon CCF at the forefront of cadet training nationally and local cadet groups are encouraged to make good use of these facilities whenever possible. Tony’s support has helped to take our cadet offering to another level. CCF membership has grown to over 160 cadets, who can access outstanding training opportunities beyond the scope of other CCF organisations. Above: Community Tea Party Far left: Combined Cadet Force Below centre: Tony Edwards (OA 1962) Below bottom: Inspecting the flight simulator Right: Legators’ Lunch, September 2019