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Experience the unexpected at Westonbirt School

A huge welcome to Tatler readers and thank you for your interest in Westonbirt School

 

We are a thriving day and boarding community, based within a breathtaking mansion and 210 acres of parkland. In 2023 we were included in the Fortune ‘World’s Leading Boarding Schools’ report and also voted ‘Co-Educational Independent School of the Year’ by the Independent School Parent magazine. Located in the Cotswolds, only 90 minutes from London Heathrow Airport and close to major road links, Westonbirt School provides a unique and magical experience where success is celebrated and talent nurtured.

Every day brings something unexpected and there is plenty of ‘Westonbuzz’ about the place.  To help illustrate this, allow us to show you the story behind the image in our advert; our Combined Cadet Force (CCF).

About our Combined Cadet Force (CCF)

One of the things that makes us so special is the breadth and diversity of our co-curricular programme. From bee-keeping to politics, there is something for everyone.  Key activities to prepare students for life beyond school include the Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme and our Royal Airforce Air Cadets (WBS-RAFAC) .  Launched in September 2022, it is now one of the most popular activities we have, with both girls and boys.

Open to students in Years 9-13, it provides a disciplined framework and a combination of adventurous and military training, which allows students opportunities to develop their resourcefulness, adaptability and perseverance, alongside their leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills. Cadets undertake a variety of activities which include fitness training, drill, field craft, navigation and mapwork skills and camping.

Unexpected opportunities

Our CCF students are a familiar sight around Westonbirt, especially on Thursdays when their training takes place as well as more formal occasions such as the school’s Remembrance Service. Students have also been able to participate in some unexpected and unique opportunities.  Last year, we were honoured to host the world’s second-largest helicopter, a Chinook, on our front fields. The Chinook was flown in by the Royal Air Force (RAF) Odiham division who stopped by to undertake training with our CCF students and treat them to a ten-minute flight.

Cadets are also able to undertake gliding experience flights at a local gliding club.  Four of them won scholarships from the British Gliding Association’s Go-Gliding scheme (the entire allocation for the South West region), which will provide them with enough flying time to achieve solo status.

Eva’s CCF experience

Eva (pictured) is a Year 11 student and a recipient of a gliding scholarship.  She says:

“I joined the CCF from the very beginning, because I am really interested in the RAF and would like to join it after school.  I thought by joining it, I would broaden my horizons and become aware of opportunities available to me.   It’s really helped with my confidence; I have met and talked to a lot of people, including those from the years above that I would not have known otherwise and it’s been a good team building experience.   My favourite moment was when the Chinook came at it was really interesting. It’s not something that I would ever have done before and it was just such a unique and unforgettable experience.  Our Exercise days are the most challenging because you have to be very resilient, use all of your skills and work as a team to undertake the tasks; it’s not something you can do on your own. It can be difficult sometimes. but it’s fun.”

Interested in finding out more?

We’d always recommend a visit to Westonbirt in order to see what makes our school community so special.

Why not visit on our upcoming Open Door Day which takes place on Friday May 3rd or an individual visit?  We’d love to welcome you in person.

We’d always recommend a visit to Westonbirt in order to see what makes our school community so special.

Why not visit on our upcoming Open Door Day which takes place on Friday May 3rd or an individual visit?  We’d love to welcome you in person.

Book a place at an Open Morning

Book an individual visit