Co-Curricular: Combined Cadet Force

Whitgift has a well-established Combined Cadet Force that contains elements of all three services.

The aim of the force is to offer boys physical and mental challenges combined with a sense of fun and adventure in a safe and disciplined environment. Above all, the ultimate aim is to help them to develop self-reliance, confidence, and leadership and to fulfill their full potential outside the class room.

The Army provides the largest CCF section at Whitgift (currently 250 boys) followed by the RAF (100) and Royal Navy (50) and the three services offer a number of activities including shooting on the range, tank driving, hill walking, gliding, canoeing, sailing, diving and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

The School has partnerships with two local maintained sector schools, St Andrew's CE High School and Thomas More Catholic School, allowing their students to take part in CCF activities.

Highlights in recent years have included a visit to the 1st Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in Germany, the chance to board a nuclear submarine at RN Base Faslane, spending a week at sea on HMS Ocean, a week at the Royal Marine Commando training centre and organising adventurous training in Iceland and the Lake District, as well as an annual Adventure Training Camp in Brixham, Devon. Boys have been helicopter flying with the Army Air Corps and the Corps of Drums has performed at the British Military Tournament in front of HM, The Queen.

The main highlight of the year, however, is the annual inspection, usually distinguished Old Whitgiftian who has risen to prominence in the Armed Forces. In 2012 the School welcomed back General Sir Peter Wall (OW), Chief of the General Staff (Professional Head of the British Army).

While Whitgift has a long military tradition, the CCF is not designed to recruit for the Armed Forces. Nevertheless, some boys choose a life in the Forces and many of those have won Service Scholarships and gone on to join the Regular Services as officers. There are currently 38 Old Whitgiftians serving in the Army.