News
March 9th 2018
Working towards a BTEC qualification
Cadet Shelley Clements at annual camp
When people think about being a cadet achieving a BTEC qualification probably doesn’t cross their mind, but many young people who are members of the Army Cadet Force (ACF) are working towards the certificates in conjunction with the CVQO.
Cadet Lance Corporal Shelley Clements, aged 15, is based at Nottinghamshire ACF’s Chilwell Detachment and hopes to achieve a BTEC in Music.
Currently learning to play the glockenspiel, Shelley has previous experience of playing both the piano and the drum and is studying music GCSE at school.
She explained: “The notes on the glockenspiel are similar to those on the piano so I decided it would be fun to learn to play a different instrument that I was able to use my previous knowledge for too. I’m really enjoying learning the glock so far and I’m now helping to instruct other people as well.
“When I’ve helped another cadet to learn a tune and then they play it successfully, it’s a good feeling knowing I have been a part of their achievement.”
To accomplish a BTEC in Music Shelley is working her way through the ACF’s star syllabus and hopes to get the certificate when she becomes a Four Star Cadet.
Learning to play different songs is one of Shelley’s passions with her favourites being Robin Hood, Nottinghamshire ACF’s March often performed at county-based events, Roll Out The Barrel and Parlez Vous where a number of different instruments can join in.
Shelley continued: “I’m currently a Two Star Cadet but hope to become a Three Star Cadet at our next annual camp then aim to reach the final stage by our camp in 2019. For Three Star and above you need to be able to play two instruments so hopefully I am on track to achieve my BTEC in a few years’ time.
“It’s great that you can attain qualifications and certificates in the Cadet Force as they look good on your CV and give many people the opportunity to learn new skills they would not have had the chance to do otherwise.”
Major Steve Greaves, an adult volunteer and Band Master at Nottinghamshire ACF, said: “We have a very strong Corps of Drums in Nottinghamshire and I am proud to say that Shelley, along with a number of other cadets, is working towards achieving a qualification in music. In fact many of our cadets do achieve a Distinction in their Music BTEC during the course of their cadet career.”
“When I’ve helped another cadet to learn a tune and then they play it successfully, it’s a good feeling knowing I have been a part of their achievement.”
