Dear Colleague,

Following the Prime Minister's announcement on Saturday 30 June 2012, that up to 100 more state funded schools will be able to develop cadet units by 2015, we are writing to ask for your help in increasing opportunities for young people to participate in the cadet experience.

Schools with cadet units often tell us that the cadet experience is one of the most valuable extracurricular activities their young people enjoy. Around 140,000 young people across the country belong to a cadet unit, but the Government's Positive for Youth strategy highlighted its ambition for more opportunities for young people, from a wide range of backgrounds, to benefit from the cadet experience. We are now seeking your support by using your cadet unit to reach out to young people from other schools.

Many schools already have partnership or collaboration arrangements with neighbouring schools covering many different activities. Some have already opened up their cadet units to young people in partner schools. Others have provided support and expertise to neighbouring schools that wish to set up a cadet unit. Many schools which have extended their cadet provision, or supported others in establishing cadet provision, tell us it has been a valuable experience for both schools, with a positive impact on all the young people participating.

Please consider whether you would be willing to open up your cadet unit to a limited number of young people at a nearby school, or, if you already have a successful partnership, whether this could be expanded. Alternatively, you might be able to mentor a school that is setting up its own cadet unit to ensure it gets off to a successful start. We envisage that these arrangements would be put in place only if funds can be identified to support expansion so that no financial burden falls upon your school.

Please let us know whether you would be willing to help by responding to us at expansion.cadet@education.gsi.gov.uk by 28 September 2012.

Yours faithfully,

Major General Greg Smith QVRM TD DL         
Assistant Chief of Defence Staff                                  
(Reserves and Cadets)

Anne Jackson
Director – System Reform Group