This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
helped their contempories achieve high academic standards.


During the last academic year, 97% of students at The Duke of York’s passed five or more A*-C grade GCSE’s and was praised by OFSTED for many outstanding aspects of its work. In contrast only 30% of Astor College students achieved the same GCSE results.


Chris Russell, formerly Astor College Principal said: “We have worked hard to drive up academic standards at the school. By setting up a professionally-run military cadre, we hope to instill a sense of self- respect, discipline and pride in the students who will then act as role models for their peers. We believe this will impact positively on their academic and personal lives.”


Ed Pallant, Head of Astor College, said the new scheme is being driven by parental demand:


“Dover may have fallen on hard times but the people are proud of their military heritage, it’s in their blood. Parents at the primary schools we’ve visited say they want their children to be encouraged to develop self-discipline and respect and the students say they’d be proud to wear a uniform with the cap badge worn by their parents or grandparents.”


Ben Jackson, aged 17, an Astor student who is a Sgt in the new military cadre, has already joined the CFF and gained his Air Cadet Advanced Glider Training gold wings.


Ben said:


“Some of the students do take the micky when they see you in uniform, but they change their tune when I tell them what I’ve achieved and how this will help me achieve my ambition to get into the RAF as a pilot. Lots more students are now asking how they can join.”


Charles Johnson, Duke of York Royal Military School Principal, said: “Military tradition is at the heart of our school life and contributes to our academic success. It is the ceremonial thread that connects us to our proud history and our present support for the parents who serve bravely in the Armed Forces. It offers a shared experience that binds our school community and creates a positive learning environment. We hope that by sharing this tradition, other students may benefit.”


www.raf-ff.org.uk Envoy Autumn 2011 27


At Grand Day, the highlight of the Duke of York school year, the 450 pupils take part in a full Trooping of the Colour parade wearing ceremonial blues and watched by more than 2,000 family and guests.


HRH Field Marshal the Duke of Kent addressing parents, governors and students at this year’s event said: “I always struck by the spirit, easy social graces and discipline of the pupils. I am also struck by the magnificent site with the School enjoys with its 150 acres of tended parkland. There can be few Schools in the land which can enjoy so enviable a setting.


“As you know, all pupils on parade wear over their hearts the cap badge of their serving parent. This is a highly poignant tradition and it is a great pleasure for me, with all my years’ association with the Armed Forces, to work out all the cap badges of the different corps, regiments and Services which go to make up today’s modern Armed Forces.”


Mrs Shanti Flynn, whose husband is Flt Lt James Flynn, has two children attending the school, said: “Grand Day is a very special occasion and a proud day for parents like me whose children are thriving at the school.”


Many of the teachers have served in the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces and understand the pressures that both the children and families are under. At any one time 50% of the children have a parent deployed.


Headteacher Charles Johnson said: “Being moved from school to school disrupts children’s academic studies and their ability to form friendships. Boarding education provides that continuity of education that these children need. Here at the Duke of York’s we’ve had 200 years experience of looking after military children, so we’re pretty good at it.”


To find out more about the school go to: www.doyrms.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56