Somerset Army Cadet Force

BTEC Presentation Evening, September 2011

Written by SMI Julie Halford

Wells Town Hall played host to the Somerset Cadet Battalion (The Rifles), Army Cadet Force BTEC Presentation Evening on Wednesday 31 August 2011. A large number of family and friends assembled to watch 36 cadets receive their well deserved BTEC Level 2 Diplomas in Public Services (QCF) from Major General Ray Pett CB MBE DL, Chairman of the Somerset Cadet Force Trust.

Joining the guests at Wells Town hall were Colonel Paul Richardson, Commandant Somerset Cadet Battalion (The Rifles), Major Peter Vile BTEC Officer Somerset Cadet Battalion (The Rifles), Ms Natalie Shapanis from Sexey's School who is also a BTEC Tutor for the Somerset Cadet Battalion (The Rifles) and Mr Davis Harris, CVQO Regional Operations Manager. Gibraltar Company Serjeant Major Will Hellier was also present to oversee the formalities for the event and cadets from Wells Platoon assisted with the refreshments.

Speaking after the Diplomas were awarded, General Pett praised the hard work necessary by the cadets to achieve their Diplomas and congratulated all of the recipients on their achievement. He went on to say that things had moved on a pace since he was a cadet over 50 years ago! Today's cadet movement was extremely proactive in providing cadets with the opportunity to gain numerous civilian qualifications that are recognised by colleges and prospective employers alike.

The National Framework Level 2 BTEC Diploma is equivalent to four GCSE passes; a BTEC Pass equates to C Grade GCSE, a BTEC Merit Pass corresponds to B Grade GCSE, a BTEC Distinction Pass is parallel to A Grade GCSE and a BTEC Distinction Pass comparable with A* Grade GCSE. No cadet from the Somerset Cadet Battalion (The Rifles) has ever got below a Merit Pass in the BTEC Level 2 Diploma since it's inception into the Army Cadet Force!

In his address to the audience our Commandant took the opportunity to thank all of the families for their support to the BTEC cadets whilst they endeavoured to gain their qualification. He also reiterated the General's comments regarding the high regard in which the BTEC Level 2 Diploma is held by the Somerset Cadet Battalion and the wider community.

Major Peter Vile was the surprised receiver of a prestigious 'Certificate of Appreciation' from the Cadet Vocational Qualification Organisation (CVQO). This was awarded to Major Vile from CVQO in recognition of his enduring commitment and delivery of the BTEC Programme in the Somerset Cadet Battalion (The Rifles), Army Cadet Force since 2002. CVQO is an educational charity that provides the opportunity for members of the all the Cadet Forces, cadets and adults, to gain internationally recognised qualifications with the aim of providing its members with opportunities in both the workplace and higher education.

Attached images showing the BTEC Level 2 Diploma recipient groups with Major General Ray Pett CB MBE DL, Chairman of the Somerset Army Cadet Force Trust (centre).

Image 1:

BTEC Presentation Group 1 (Left to Right):

Cadet Serjeant Harry Grey - Midsomer Norton Platoon (Normandy Company)
Cadet Lance Corporal Lucy Waller - Sexey's School (Salamanca Company)
Cadet Serjeant Christopher Lusby - Ilminster Platoon (Salamanca Company)
Cadet Corporal Ben Myles - Bridgwater Platoon (Jellalabad Company)
Cadet Lance Corporal Ryan Phillips - Bath Platoon (Normandy Company)
Cadet Corporal Jessica Mexson - Uphill Platoon (Gibraltar Company)

Image 2:

BTEC Presentation Group 2 (Left to Right):

Cadet Lance Corporal Sophie Cook - Sexey's School (Salamanca Company)
Cadet Lance Corporal James Braidley - Martock Platoon (Salamanca Company)
Bugle Major Paige Starr - Frome Platoon (Normandy Company)
Cadet Colour Serjeant Laura Burbage - Frome Platoon (Normandy Company)
Cadet Colour Serjeant Ryan Margetts - Martock Platoon (Salamanca Company)
Cadet Corporal Daniel Bingham - Frome Platoon (Normandy Company)

Image 3:

BTEC Presentation Group 3 (Left to Right):

Cadet Corporal George Wager - Frome Platoon (Normandy Company)
Cadet Lance Corporal Samuel Durmam - Ilminster Platoon (Salamanca Company)
Cadet Lance Corporal Alexander Parker - Uphill Platoon (Gibraltar Company)
Cadet Corporal Evelyn-Jane Thorne - Bishop Fox's Platoon (Jellalabad Company)
Ms Heather White - Ex Bath Platoon (Normandy Company)
Cadet Serjeant Major Robert Bennett - Nailsea Platoon (Gibraltar Company)

Image 4:

BTEC Presentation Group 4 (Left to Right):

Cadet Serjeant Alice Dobie - Nailsea Platoon (Gibraltar Company)
Cadet CSM Ben Wilson - Portishead Platoon (Gibraltar Company)
Cadet Serjeant Rebecca Whittington - Langport Platoon (Salamanca Company)
Cadet Corporal Hannah Worrall - Portishead Platoon (Gibraltar Company)
Cadet Corporal Andrew Boulton - Bishop Fox's Platoon (Jellalabad Company)

Image 5:

BTEC Presentation Group 5 (Left to Right):

Cadet Colour Serjeant Joseph Milne - Wells Platoon (Normandy Company)
Cadet Corporal Samantha Evans - Worle Platoon (Gibraltar Company)
Cadet Serjeant Harvey Marsh - Wells Platoon (Normandy Company)
Cadet Corporal Rebekah Sydenham - Priorswood Platoon (Jellalabad Company)
Cadet Lance Corporal Adam Riley - Priorswood Platoon (Jellalabad Company)
Cadet Corporal Emma Marlow - Minehead Platoon (Jellalabad Company)

Image 6:

BTEC Presentation Group 6 (Left to Right):

Cadet Corporal Jake Farr - Ilminster Platoon (Salamanca Company)
Cadet Hannah Goode - Sexey's School (Salamanca Company)
Cadet Rebecca Goode - Sexey's School (Salamanca Company)
Cadet Corporal James Foot - Wells Platoon (Normandy Company)
Cadet Lance Corporal George Puckle - Clevedon Platoon (Gibraltar Company)
Cadet Serjeant Ryan Cooper - Paulton Platoon (Normandy Company)




Image 7:

Major General Ray Pett CB MBE DL, Chairman of the Somerset Army Cadet Force Trust, and Major Peter Vile, BTEC Officer Somerset Cadet Battalion (The Rifles), Army Cadet Force after the presentation of his CVQO Certificate of Appreciation.