Excalibur Winter 2022

• It’s our free online platform exclusively for RAF personnel and their partners.

• Covering a range of self-directed topics tailored to life in the RAF.

• The course can be accessed anonymously, either as a couple or separately.

• It aims to equip you with the communication skills and strategies to get the best out of your relationships.

We also provide relationship counselling and mediation support.

Find out more and register: rafbf.relate.org.uk

SC AN ME W IT H YO UR CA ME RA

The RAF Benevolent Fund is a registered charity in England and Wales (1081009) and Scotland (SC038109).

BAA...R | KITCHEN | SHOP | TOURS

Visit Black Sheep Brewery and enjoy a unique brewing experience with our shepherded brewery tours. A wide range of Black Sheep beers, ciders & spirits will greet you at the Baa...r so you can be sure you’ll find something new to try. And there’s an exciting food menu showcasing all the best Yorkshire produce. Our brewery shop is packed full of merchandise, gifts and all our award winning beers to enjoy at home - you might even find a few exclusive limited edition beers throughout the year! Open daily at our home in Masham, North Yorkshire

OIC’S FINAL MESSAGE

By Flt Lt Cartmell

The time has come to hand over the Excalibur reins – wild horses have indeed dragged me away and I head for pastures new. Rather, maybe I should say that I am putting myself out to pasture…But ‘shhh’, please don’t tell the husband. I have assured him I will find a job and won’t spend ALL my time out on the fells with our beautiful Labradors, George and Henry. Chances?

Flt Lt Ed Ford will step in as the new OIC, and our fantastic Editor, Cpl Lenny Austin, will once again prove that he is not a one trick pony by smoothing the transition…I owe Lenny a huge debt and massive thank you for his constant support and energy. Lenny has driven the magazine forward, often singlehandedly, for the past few years: without him, there would be no Excalibur. Please keep an eye out for the new Arrivals Booklet – another of Lenny’s endeavours!

Thank you to our readership and the many contributors from across the station: we love receiving your articles and photos. We are always in awe of RAF Leeming Photo Section, who alongside Lance Media Group, bring every issue to life and showcase the wonderful diversity and brilliance of all our hardworking people at RAF Leeming. We hope this issue, brimming with celebrations, parades, engagements, sports, exercises and adventures is to your liking. A fond ‘farewell for now’ to you all. We all come back at some point, right?

Kemal Tel: (01536) 334 225 Email: ken@lancemedia.co.uk

Designed by: Jo Glen

Printed by: Micropress Printers Ltd

FOREWORD

BY STATION COMMANDER GROUP CAPTAIN GARETH PRENDERGAST, BA (HONS), LLM, MSC, RAF

As the nights start to draw in, it’s a good time to stop and take stock of the year before we plunge into the busy holiday season. And what a year it has been thus far! It has been a year of the unprecedented on so many fronts and what only happened the month before can already feel like a year ago.

Looking at what we have achieved here at RAF Leeming is certainly something to be proud of. Our personnel contributed to the mourning and funeral period for HRH The Queen and supported proclamation events for HRH King Charles. I am sure that we will have people involved in the coronation activities and I am excited to see what we will come up with to celebrate the occasion here in North Yorkshire.

As mentioned previously, a contingent from RAF Leeming headed out to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, the original home of Top Gun, to take our Project VITAL and build some relationships with a base that is doing very similar work to us. The combined team from RAF Leeming and Newcastle University, demonstrated how our Living Lab on Station is furthering our understanding of what a sustainable and resilient base looks like along with the way that we are planning to get to NetZero. We managed to deepen our bonds and identify some exciting new opportunities for future collaboration. So, if this all sounds exciting to you, then you or your families are welcome to get involved. No previous experience or knowledge is required – merely enthusiasm! In return for your time, you’ll get to learn about the latest solar technology or help us to learn and understand the role of hydrogen as an energy source that could replace diesel in the future. To find out more, get in contact with the RAFX team and get stuck in. Sgts Brabbs and Wands would love to hear from you!

We are also looking to expand our understanding of wellness for a military setting. This work will look to utilise some of the expertise at Durham University’s Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing. Together we will investigate how we can help our people manage their wellbeing as effectively as possible given the unique challenges of military life. We have already demonstrated a pioneering approach to mental health with the Station polytunnel and hope to have further exciting projects to launch in the near future to benefit both Service personnel and their families.

As we close out 2022, we look forward to one of the highlights of the Exercise calendar: YORKNITE. This annual, now traditional, detachment of the Swiss Air Force with their F-18s will conduct essential night training. We will welcome them as always and show them the fine North Yorkshire hospitality that they have grown so used to. We have also provided support to many other Exercises over the year and I am fully aware of the amount of effort that goes into making these a success for our visitors.

The Joint Hawk Training Squadron of 11 Sqn QEAF continues to go from strength to strength and will be celebrating their second graduating ceremony for their trainee pilots as this goes to press. We have also seen transformation for 2 Force Protection Wing and their enthusiastic adoption of the counter-drone capability. This is a key future mission for UK Defence and it is great to have the team here at Leeming in the form of 34

Sqn (Regt) leading the charge. Finally, it would be remiss not to mention the largest resident unit here on Station with 90 Signals Unit. Truly global in outlook and capability, the team have supported various operations and exercises in sometimes very challenging environments, but always with professionalism and pride. They, and all the units on Station, do themselves and Leeming a massive amount of honour and all should be very proud of their activities over the year and look back with great pleasure.

I’ll be hosting another open forum for the partners and families who live on Station before the end of the year to come and share their ideas and feedback on how we continue to make Leeming a great place to live. Look out for further information on the RAF Leeming Community Support Facebook

A recurring theme in each of the paragraphs above is teamwork. Together we are stronger and achieve so much more than we do individually. Each one of us has role to play in the success of our Station and its community.

page or flyers on camp.

A recurring theme in each of the paragraphs above is teamwork. Together we are stronger and achieve so much more than we do individually. Each one of us has role to play in the success of our Station and its community. Those individuals who step up remind us all of how together we can make big a difference to our own lives and those of others just by giving a little time. The volunteers on the reinvigorated Stirling Committee have been working hard to provide a variety of events for the community. Quizzes at the Barrel & Bean and a successful children’s Halloween party have been early successes.

As we look towards the future and evaluate the year gone by and the one ahead, I encourage you to join me in thinking about what we can all do to support one another and build a strong, cooperative community. Thank you to all that call RAF Leeming home for a tremendous year. I am looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together in 2023!

34 Sqn RAF Regiment have had a busy year so far with the re-role to a new Counter Unmanned Air System (C-UAS) capability continuing at pace. It has seen several changes to not only the Sqn focus, but also how it fights.

Squadron 34

‘Win First, Fight After’

Fixed Site C-UAS is one of the Royal Air Force’s latest capabilities; lead by 2 FP Wg, this is among Defence’s highest priorities. 34 Sqn are currently operating and training on two state of the art C-UAS systems. The soft kill option, ORCUS, uses sensors and Electronic Warfare effectors to Detect, Track, Identify and Defeat (DTID) hostile UAS. RAPID SENTRY, a hard kill option, utilises the Light Weight Multi Role Missile to achieve the same DTID objectives. 34 Sqn have completed extensive training, alongside 2 FP Wg personnel, with these cutting edge kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities.

As part of this drive to train quickly, a 34 Sqn RAPID SENTRY team trained with 7th Air Defence Group (Royal Artillery) at Thorney Island and conducted the first ever live test fire of the equipment at Manorbier ranges, South Wales. This was the culmination of a challenging project that, in conjunction with industry partners, has seen the development of a key defence capability in just 6 months; an extremely impressive accomplishment.

There are many different facets that go into preparing 34 Sqn Gunners for operations. Range

packages are a large part of this preparation, with 34 Sqn planning and executing multiple range packages in both Catterick and Otterburn training area. The troops were put through an arduous 5-day range packet which included their ACMT (annual combat marksmanship test), using SA80 A3 and the Glock 17-GSP, culminating in a live field firing exercise.

In September, 34 Sqn played a vital role during Op LONDON BRIDGE. Directly supporting the Queen’s Colour Squadron (now Kings Colour Squadron), 20 pers deployed forward to

RAF Northolt to support Op OVERSTUDY (the repatriation of Her Late Majesty from Scotland to London) and formed part of the tri-Service Guard of Honour on Parliament Square to mark the commencement of Op MARQUEE (Her Late Majesty’s Lying-in-State). This was an incredible honour for 34 Sqn pers who were fortunate to be so intimately involved with such a significant event.

34 Sqn RAF Regiment personnel have been engaged in a multitude of sporting activities across the RAF and Inter Services over the past few months. Encompassing wide and varied disciplines, but particularly in Boxing, where AS1 Andrews achieved such a high level in RAF Boxing that he is now competing at an elite level, following on from his

representation at the Inter Service competition at RAF Halton earlier in the year. Additionally, AS1 Porter brought home the ‘Regiment Trophy’ from the Lord Wakefield’s competition in November and is honing his skills to advance further throughout 2023. The Sqn has seen representatives in rugby league, football, and various racket sports with A/LCpl

Mearns finishing

up in

Forces U25’s men’s squash finals. We have also had representation through AS1 Fegan in the new E-Sports competition ‘Insomnia event’ at the NEC Arena. Looking forward to the next 12 months the Sqn is keen to remain actively engaged in sporting while continuing to increase our commitment to operations.

UK

Feu de Fer.

runner

the

Armed

ITERA Expedition Race 2022

Frowen

Adrizzly Sunday afternoon is perhaps a strange time to be setting off on an adventure. However, for the team of RAF athletes (& our last-minute Spanish super-sub) we found ourselves standing in the shadows of the beautiful Iona cathedral, on this remote outpost of the Inner Hebrides, ready to take on 550km of racing with kayaking, mountain biking and hill running across the breadth of south west Scotland.

One of 32 teams on the start line, Wg Cdr Jamie Buckle (RAF Leeming), Sqn Ldr Laura Frowen (RAF Coningsby), Flt Lt Dom Sanderson (RAF Benson) & our Spanish friend, Gloria Sobrero (who kindly stepped in when we lost a team member to a late notice injury) were ready to take on the challenge of non-stop, self-navigated and self-sufficient racing; aiming to finish in Oban just 6 days later.

After a cheekily competitive 5km run from the startline (this is not a parkrun!!) to settle the nerves, we settled in for an amazing paddle out across some exposed water to the isle of Staffa and the first checkpoint in the famous Fingal’s cave, finding ourselves amongst the leading group, we took the time to enjoy the company of the dolphins and seals as we then turned back for the remainder of the 35km paddle to Mull. Pushing ashore, we headed up into the gathering darkness onto the

Adventure racing in the Scottish Highlands with Wing Commander

Jamie Buckle, Officer Commanding 11 Squadron (Qatar) – Joint RAF and Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF) Hawk Training Squadron

Written by Sqn Ldr Laura

Summiting the munro late on a clear night via a few other checkpoints,

still found ourselves amongst the lead teams and so picked a more complex contouring route to the final checkpoints on this stage to avoid the strain from multiple climbs and descents and to try and save some energy for the many later stages. The scoring system on the course allowed checkpoints to be missed, with time penalties for each and some teams had already elected to trade these checkpoints. However, to be on the podium you had to reach ALL of the checkpoints. In planning, we thought that whilst a stretch, this should be do-able for our team of experienced racers and so we chose to place a bit of an all-in bet on ourselves, knowing that the scoring system would not be kind if we missed one of the later cut-offs. Happy with our decision to maximise our chances and boldly go for the top spots, we cracked on in the early stages and were comfortably in the top 8 – 10, holding position amongst talented teams. Reaching the end of this 40km stage at the remote Duart Castle on Monday, we faced another paddle to return to the mainland, but this time directly into an increasingly fierce tide that was rushing through the small gaps between the islands.

Finally ashore again in the mid-afternoon after a pretty exhausting paddle, we got onto the mountain bikes and headed off on an 80km tour of the Morven peninsula. Having to fix a broken seat post with some ingenious cable tie collars took time to get right, and thanks must be given to the very kind occupant of a house along the route who donated every cable tie she owned to the cause!

A small hike-a-bike section set the tone for later MTB stages, but

this gave way to forestry tracks as night fell. Finding our first (and thankfully only!) major navigational challenge of the race, we searched for a track junction for a while, disappointingly involving 3 separate climbs over a 6ft deer fence stile with the bikes – we got really quick at it, helped by an onslaught of midges if you stood still for more than a single second! Failing to find the track, we elected to take the slightly longer, but flatter route around the coastline to the final checkpoint. In hindsight this turned out to be an excellent choice as other teams who cut across to join the path we had been looking for found themselves mired in bog for 2 hours trying to get out, so it was a blessing that we missed the junction!

At the transition, it was finally time for our first sleep, some 34hrs into the race, and we’d planned a 2-3 hr rest when we arrived to be told that all long course teams were being held for 6 hours in transition to allow the logistics (kayak movements) to catch up with how fast the teams were racing. Bliss! Although, these hours lost would come to haunt us later in the race….

The breaking dawn also heralded a rather abrupt change in the weather, with wind & rain setting in for the next trekking stage. Some very wild weather on the tops gave way to tranquil but rain-sodden valleys in some very remote western peninsulas, with not a man-made object in sight as far as you could see. We got to the final kayak stage as night started to fall and were treated to a glorious sunset and a welcome 35km downstream paddle through Loch Shiel to the sea. The fearsome Stage 7 awaited. 140km of mountain biking, with 3000m of climbing, mostly on trackless mountain. The

‘‘We got to the final kayak stage as night started to fall and were treated to a glorious sunset and a welcome 35km downstream paddle’’

first hill stage on Ben More.

we

weather by this time had soaked the ground and the lifting of mountain bikes over rough grass was broken only by the need to then push the bikes down the hill through increasingly soupy bog to avoid multiple crashes. It was very slow progress and one that the short course teams all sensibly avoided! Sadly, this delay could not be caught up on the later trails sections and with the lost time in the hold on course and the mechanical issues on the bikes this unfortunately placed us just outside the cut-off at the start of Stage 8. We’d missed it by about 30 minutes. It was completely gutwrenching to have been so close. Taking some time to get a 2hr rest and re-group, we then headed off up Ben Nevis, climbing into the stormy daybreak light and took this time to process our disappointment at missing the Ledge Route and the vital checkpoint it contained. After the event, we found out that teams who had just made the cut off ahead of us had to subsequently retire as the ridges of Ben Nevis at night in poor weather is not a good place to be without sufficient rest, so our sensible decision to stop and rest was proven correct in the end, and probably salvaged a race finish – it just didn’t feel like it at the time! Determined to continue on, we pressed along the short course and the West Highland Way to Kinlochleven, passing several bemused walkers on their own multi-day hike across the highlands. Struggling with the lack of sleep and calories, this was still not an easy stage and we needed to keep the pressure on to keep on track for the finish.

Arriving to Kinlochleven, there was a special stage on the Via Ferrata at the Grey Mare’s tail waterfall. Monitored by safety experts, we tackled the course and Dom faced down his own fears of heights to make it all the way across the vertigo-inducing wire bridges at the top of the falls – amazing work!

A scramble to get out of transition ahead of the last cut off, we stopped in the local fish and chip shop for some much-needed morale before a long night in the rain beckoned as we headed the final 140km of biking to the finish. The climb out up to Glencoe on

a rough, boulder-strewn track was bleak in sideways rain and wild, open moorland and we were in for a very cold and wet night. Gloria was somewhat unimpressed by the change in temperature from her native Mallorca and we stopped a few times to warm up in the bothy bag before we headed back into the wet. Fed by the incessant rain, the land was transformed into a series of raging torrents, loud waterfalls and wet slippery rock making the biking fun but hard work on very tired legs. Ironically, it was not here, but on the smooth track immediately after this that I managed to catapult myself at speed from my bike and induce some excellent bruises!

Finally, Friday morning dawned and it was the last few miles to the finish line in Oban. Jamie

promised that it was ‘the last hill’ at least 6 times before we rolled into the town at lunchtime to a fabulous welcome, medals and some well-deserved hot tea! It had been 118hrs after we set off from Iona, over 500km of racing and plenty of ups and downs of all types. We’d given it everything, and whilst the gamble hadn’t paid off for us this time, we knew that we’d been to some incredible places, nailed the teamwork to get us all to the finish & been spot on navigationally all week. Some ground conditions had just been the factor that denied the high scoring place we’d had our eye on… but we know that it’s possible and we have the faith to believe that we’ll get it next time! Looking back at this now from my work desk, I know that it does not matter what the final scoreboard says. Our team went all-in, and we

ITERA is part of the Adventure Race World Series. An RAF team have raced in various places across the world and are always looking for new people who are crazy enough to want to get involved in these incredible events. You don’t have to leap straight into Expedition length racing, there are intro events that are around 6hrs in length with orienteering across all three disciplines. Please get in touch with any of the team to find out more.

nailed the teamwork, navigation and commitment that is required to compete in this World Series event. We were taken at points far from our comfort zone and had to work together to make it to the finish as we all suffered from high and low points. I am surveying the cuts and bruises that decorate my arms and legs, knowing that each one tells a story of a hardship overcome, of something achieved that did not always feel possible, and I am filled with the belief that we are all a little bit tougher than we think. Like all sport, winning is always nice – but it is not everything (and there’s always next time!).

Griffins Trail ACT

So, the time had finally come. The MT section of 607 Sqn had got to a point where there were enough trained drivers for it to commence its first ACT event/exercise. We are a relatively new reservist Squadron at the ripe old age of 7, having been reformed in 2015 with the majority of the participants having less than 5 years’ service. However, it does take time for a reservist to attain the licences and qualifications, what with full time employment and family life to balance. Not to mention the interruption of Covid.

Our event was to take place in August of this year, though our journey began in February with the commencement of training and refresher training that we could put into practice for our week of ACT.

Over the next 4-months of training weekends, we covered MAN SV initial and refresher training, ration pack cooking, convoy drills and breakdown procedures.

In the background, the senior management led by FS Boston were putting a plan and timeline together for our week of ACT. Swynnerton Training Area in Staffordshire was chosen for the ACT site. FTRS personnel conducted a recce: this was found to be ideal for the offroad element and our convoy drive to and from RAF Leeming. Swynnerton is located close to the

National Arboretum, ideal for an FD event towards the end of the week.

A ‘Plan B’ of RAF Boulmer and an MOD off-road driving site near Driffield were also looked at as backup locations for the event by the FTRS instructors, just in case. Jobs were distributed between the FTRS and PTVR cadre, from booking vehicles, convoy flags, tentage, ration packs, and an AO for the FD to the National

Arboretum to name but a few. Deadlines were being met and with two weeks to go we were all set and raring to go. However, a week before setting off, there was a spanner in the works, Swynnerton was now not available...

A decision was made to set up camp at RAF Leeming, 607 Sqn’s training area, Bldg 122 and use the MOD off-road driving site near Driffield. This would still give us chance to hit all the objectives targets set out in the training plan.

Vehicles were collected, equipment and supplies loaded, and we set off round the peritrack to set up camp. Bivvy sheets and tentage were erected, ration packs and mess tins handed out, vehicles prepared for the convoy and a new route card finalized to get to the Driffield off-road training area. We were all set for our first night under canvas. After a very refreshing night’s

sleep…we were ready for the off. Checks done on the vehicles, final instructions given and some beautiful villages between RAF Leeming and Driffield were about to witness the military precision of our passing convoy at least six times over the next three days. This gave everyone the chance to be the driver, or in charge of the route card.

Over the next three days we did off-road driving in the 6 and 15 ton MAN SV variants as well as the Land Rover WOLF. With the driving area being totally new to all of us and with little to no instruction from the training team, it really put our knowledge, learning and driving skills to the test.

Camouflage and concealment of the 6 ton MAN SV was undertaken and it took the training staff nearly 30 minutes to find us: we had done such a great job! See if you can spot us in the wooded area....... They couldn’t.

February: ‘Cam, concealment and tentage’. (Yes, tentage is a word!) That’s not the finished Tentage. Honest....

We also got to drive off-road at night with the aid of Night Vision Goggles (NVGs), something none of us had experienced before. Depth perception is completely lost, the eyes need to blink more so they stay moist, the head needs to move more from side to side to help with peripheral vision. In some ways it’s a hindrance and takes some getting used to. But with no headlights, when you take NVGs off and can see nothing, you realize just what an advantage they are.

A quiz night was organized for the Wednesday by AS1 Taws, with a trophy for the winner.

.. he’s not the winner...

Thursday was our visit to the National Arboretum in Staffordshire. A visit to the RAF Reservist Memorial was our first point of call. Then we had time for people to have a look round and reflect in the beautiful

surroundings of the Nation Arboretum.

With pizza and a couple of soft drinks taken in on our return to RAF Leeming, we were ready to crash the camp on the Friday, clean down, refuel all the vehicles and return all the equipment to stores.

So, our first ACT event completed, let’s see how we build on this for next year. We will keep you posted.

607 Sqn HQ Staff Adventure Training Days

Whilst taking part in the Station organised Adventure Hawk activities in the back end of June, we were unfortunately hit with a deluge of rainfall on the final evening, which combined with the warm weather the following day, created the ideal conditions for midges, millions of the blighters. This meant that we were unable to safely carry out our last planned activity of Rock Climbing and Abseiling. So, the ATI’s provided us with a couple of viable options given the weather situation. It was a choice of indoor climbing or being taught how to safely navigate our way up the length of a ghyll, whilst trying to stay as dry as possible. As a group, we all chose the latter as this sounded like a fun adventure! We were not disappointed, all of us agreed that it was the best activity we had participated in.

On returning to 607 Sqn following the day’s activities, I felt the ghyll experience would be a fantastic opportunity for the Sqn HQ staff to get away from their desk’s for the day whilst building the team comradery. I approached the XO to see if this would be something that we could do and thankfully it was a very firm YES!

My next task was to confirm with the Station ATI that he was able to take us, and with a firm yes from him also, all we had to do next was find a mutual date and confirm numbers.

The actual organising of the day was no hassle at all, the gym has the Admin order and JSATFA already written, all I had to do was put in a Clarity request for a vehicle to MT and packed lunch

requests to the JRM and then let the HQ staff know the meeting time and location.

On the morning of the event, we all met at the gym, collected our equipment and jumped in the wagon, which Pete (the ATI) had kindly volunteered to drive, and we set off for the ghyll, which was just beyond Derwent water. A couple of hours after setting off, we arrived safely and were met

by Duncs and Lee (two PTVR PTIs/ ATIs) who were joining us to act as safety supervisors and to provide first class local knowledge of the ghyll. We then get changed into some very tight fitting dry-suits, walking shoes and helmets and headed to the ghyll.

Due to some recent rainfall (though thankfully didn’t rain on the day), the water levels had risen slightly since my previous visit

Ghyll Walking

by Cpl Neil Wittcomb, 607 Sqn

Paddleboarding

Due to the success of the initial Sqn AT day, it wasn’t long before I was asked what the next Sqn activity would be. So, it was back down the OC’s corridor to ask once more if I could try and organise something else. Luckily, the OC is a very outdoorsy person, so it was another firm yes and another trip across the car park to see Pete in the gym. This time, to change things up a little we came up with the idea of paddleboarding at Derwent Water.

therefore it didn’t take us long to fail at staying dry! Duncs, using his local knowledge, ensured that we get a full feeling of the fresh water by providing us all with a Challenge by Choice, which after some thought by some members we all accepted. Once we had done that we continued up the ghyll, meeting many obstacles along the way, some more challenging than others. Thanks to encouragement and sometimes assistance from the team, each obstacle provided a sense of achievement upon completion. One mile and 2.5 hours later, we reached our final obstacle. We completed that and then made our way back to the car park for a quick change into dry clothes and attack the packed lunches, for those of us who still had some left! We then headed off to Keswick for a team debrief to discuss what we had just completed and how it helped bond the team. Once that was complete, we said our goodbyes to Duncs and Lee then made our way back to Leeming.

Let’s just say, by some of the sounds coming back to camp, the day proved quite exhausting for some.

As you can clearly see from the pictures, we didn’t quite make it to the destination of choice. Sadly, due to the weather forecast being a bit on the rough side and a couple of participants needing to be back for evening commitments, we changed our plan and went to the Ripon to Boroughbridge canal. Thankfully the forecasted rain held off and although it was a slightly cold day, we were once again comfortable in dry suits and splash jackets etc ready for the days adventure. Upon arriving at the set off point in Ripon, we prepared the boards and received some dry land tuition from Pete. Then after some strategic placing of a vehicle by Pete and myself,

we were ready to go. We put the boards into the water to firstly test the balancing skills of everyone! Amazingly, whether through natural talent, or by pure luck and calm waters, every one of us managed to stay on our boards for the entire journey minus the times we had to climb off to negotiate the canal locks and stop for lunch.

Although the challenges of paddleboarding were completely different to that faced when at the ghyll, we all felt a little stretched at times. We especially found it tricky when trying to transition from kneeling to standing, no matter how calm the waters were. I think we all had shaking legs when initially

standing…well…expect

The route down the canal was bout 9km long. At times we found ourselves just paddling by ourselves, taking in the picturesque autumnal landscape and using the time for some self-reflection, which I found a lot easier whilst staying seated on the board!

Once we reached Boroughbridge, we climbed the canal bank up to the car park where we had prepositioned the wagon earlier to deflate the boards, get changed into dry clothes and gather around for the days debrief. What we do next as a Sqn, who knows? But it’s probably going to be on land!!

Thanks to Pete, Duncs and Lee for enabling these activities, your expertise, patience and making the whole organisation of them extremely painless.

for Pete, he made it look so effortless (even had the composure for a selfie!).

607 Sqn Force Development North East Land, Sea and Air Museum (NELSAM)

Back in the ‘sweltering’ days of August, 607 Sqn travelled to the North East Land, Sea and Air Museum (NELSAM) based at RAF Usworth, a former RAF station which is now mostly the Nissan Plant in Sunderland. Unfortunately, sweltering is a bit of a fib as it was quite chilly and the rain was falling, but the visit was still well worth the effort!

Designed as a Force Development visit, volunteers from 607 Sqn gathered information to be used in presentations back at RAF Leeming. RAF Usworth is where 607 Sqn was originally formed during WW2: the museum has an area designated to 607 Sqn history. Naturally, one of the topics had to be Sqn history! Other topics included the Avro Vulcan (the museum has one on site) and The Home Front - to discuss changes within gender roles over the years. We were very lucky to be allowed access into the Vulcan, taking turns to climb into the

cramped cockpit and desperately trying to imagine how it must have felt during Operation Black Buck in The Falklands War. The whole experience was incredible and a real treat.

On returning to Leeming, everyone dived into preparing the next day’s presentations: an industrious hive of people tapping away on computers. The presentations were high-quality and full of information. It is often challenging to stand up in front of others and talk; however, all squadron members accomplished it with style and it finished off the whole event in the perfect way.

by FS “Moggy” Morris, FS Trg, 607 Sqn

Exercise PITCH BLACK

Ex PITCH BLACK is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) hosted exercise involving 17 nations, 100 aircraft and 2500 personnel from across the Indo-pacific region and NATO. The RAF’s contribution included the deployment of four Typhoons, a Voyager air-air refuelling tanker, 170 regular and reserve personnel and support equipment: a complex logistical challenge which involved a whole range of RAF personnel including chefs, movements personnel, medics and intelligence specialists.

The 17 nations gathered at the base in the Northern Territory for three weeks of intensive air combat training. The first week comprised of fighter integration training: pilots flying different types of fighter jets conducting basic fighter manoeuvres against one another. The initial sorties for the RAF Typhoons saw training with French Air and Space Force Rafales and Indian Air Force Su-35 Flankers. Fighters from a number of participating squadrons were also air-air refuelled by an RAF

Voyager tanker, including U.S. Marie Corps F-35B Lightnings, Royal Australian Air Force E/A11G Growlers, and German Air Force Eurofighters.

At the request of the RAAF, 15 RAF chefs, including FS Ashmore, were deployed to RAAF base Darwin in the Northern territory of Australia. The mission was to bolster and support the contingent of RAAF chefs producing four daily meals, no mean feat as this equated to 54,672 meals in addition to supporting the in-flight catering requirements for 100 aircraft. Further, the chefs ably demonstrated their culinary skills during international night, a world themed meal served to 2000 personnel over 3 hours.

Although the Ex meant long hours and hard work, FS Ashmore was able to make the most of the opportunity by exploring the local area and making friends with a crocodile, proving once again that a role in the RAF Reserves is no ordinary job!

FS Ginge Ashmore, a RAuxAF chef from 607 County of Durham Sqn based at RAF Leeming recently returned from Exercise PITCH BLACK which took place in Australia.

Crocodile

Crocodile Warning Signs

FS Ashmore in the kitchens

An Aircraft in the Australian sun

FS Ashmore on the Servery at International Night International Night

609 (West Riding) Squadron

609 Sqn had a Reserve specific CounterUncrewed Aerial System (C-UAS) course arranged for their Annual Continuation Training (ACT) over the period 10-24 Sept 22 however, when Op BRIDGES was called this training was naturally cancelled. As 609 Sqn’s Reservists were already committed to this period, they were used for Op BALLAM in London, and on their return to RAF Leeming supported the latter serials of Ex COBRA WARRIOR. Besides various other training weekends, and preparations for operational deployments, Cpl Thomson was singled out for his formidable achievements across a long career and was presented with a Lord Lieutenant’s Award. Below are accounts from 609 Sqn personnel involved in these events.

OP LONDON BRIDGE

On the 10th September 609 WR Squadron personnel began to arrive at RAF Leeming ready to start their ACT. This expectation was very short lived as Orders from FP Force HQ came in directing the Sqn to cancel our planned training and to standby for taskings to support Op LONDON BRIDGE. Although it was a very sombre time all personnel put on standby were proud to be aligned to this with everyone understanding the significance and magnitude of the event.

The actual aspect of Op LONDON BRIDGE that 609 Sqn personnel were involved with was Op BALLAM which was to assist the civilian police in London marshalling members of the public and assisting with keeping them safe. Our first step was to move to a holding area at RAF Honington where we met up personnel from other squadrons. From here we moved to London. Our accommodation for the duration of the tasking was okay: a roof over our heads and somewhere to keep dry, so not

much to complain about! We had cooked meals each day, with supplies for lunch provided too which meant plenty of tracker bars and sandwiches.

609 Sqn personnel were split into different sections and each section had different taskings; however, to begin with everyone’s shift was 12 hours long regardless of the task. As things settled timings were adjusted. Taskings we conducted were:

* Helping staff checkpoints / road closures etc. alongside the Army and Royal Navy, as well as the civilian police

* Crowd control, to help manage the crowds and support staff with coming and going from the funeral

* Acting as a QRF element at Horse Guards Parade, where we could be called upon for any support or taskings needed

There were also some opportunities for Force Development during our downtime. This included visiting the Natural History Museum, various memorials, and the Imperial War Museum. The latter is home to Spitfire Mk 1a R6915, preserved in its original wartime OTU livery. This aircraft served with No. 609 Squadron in the Battle of Britain, so an excellent opportunity to see some of our own squadron’s history.

We are all proud to have played a part in the funeral and to have done one last service for Her Majesty the Queen.

AS1 Whitehead and AS1 Taylor.

Ex COBRA WARRIOR

609 Sqn personnel returning from Op LONDON BRIDGE coincided with a request from the Exercise COBRA WARRIOR staff for us to provide exercising troops for Joint Personnel Recovery (JPR) scenarios. The exercise is a large scale, multinational exercise which lasts several weeks and involves all aspects of Air Power including the integration of air and land assets. 609 Sqn were attached to 51 Sqn RAF Regt for their role in the exercise. 51 Sqn had been involved with the exercise for the previous two weeks and had well established SOPs. These were briefed to 609 Sqn personnel in a comprehensive set of orders.

The aim of the exercise on the first day was a JPR operation with four simulated downed aircrew requiring extraction. They had been shot down in a single aircraft but had been separated into two groups of two on the ground. Subsequently, the operation would be in two parts: a Northern rescue and a Southern rescue, dictated by the geographical location of the downed aircrew. The southern rescue was to be undertaken by 51 Sqn who were flown in by US Pavehawk search and rescue helicopters supported by Royal Navy Wildcats for Close Air Support.

GS MOD 2 LAND ROVER COURSE

8th

The Northern rescue would be carried out by a composite Group comprising 609 and 51 Sqn Gunners and a RAF Regt Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) from the Air Land Integration Cell. The plan was to have two Chinooks, one carrying the rescue party along with the JTAC and the other carrying an airborne Quick Reaction Force (QRF). However, a last minute inject meant only one Chinook could be used so the plan was quickly adapted. However, because of the size and flexibility of the Chinook and its crew, a quick reorganization took place. The plan was modified so the Northern group could fly in the single airframe. The QRF would remain on board when the helicopter landed to drop off the rescue party and then fly to a nearby holding area until needed.

From landing, the rescue team would have only 13 minutes to locate the two aircrew, one unable to walk with an ankle injury, and get them back to the helicopter landing site to be safely extracted. Speed was the key aspect of mission success: limited time was available on the ground due to an enemy QRF of 100+ not far from the landing site. This meant it was essential to get in and out as fast as possible. Close Air Support for this Northern package was provided by two Army Air Corps

Apache gunships who worked closely with the JTAC, again providing further realism to the exercise.

Rehearsals complete, the troops boarded the aircraft as planned: for some of the squadron members this would be their first time in a helicopter. Everybody was focused and up for the challenge ahead, en-route to the exercise location. The Chinook would rendezvous with the two Apache gunships at a Forward Arming and Refuelling Point (FARP) set up on a small airfield in Northumberland.

Shortly after being airborne again and flying low and fast, the 10-minute warning signal was issued by the loadmaster. Just as final checks were taking place the helicopter tipped rapidly to one side, accompanied by a loud bang. The Chinook had suffered a bird strike. The aircrew’s reaction was swift and calm, and they land the aircraft nearby to inspect it for damage. After a short time, it was decided that the Chinook would fly everybody back to the FARP location and given a thorough inspection.

Back at the FARP, after a thorough examination, the very understandable decision was made to fly the team back to base. Even though the exercise had been cut short there were many positives to take away. It was an excellent experience for the squadron and the events were also a valuable test of SOPs for the aircrew.

Cpl Doughty

& 9th October

To ensure continuous development of personnel, 609’s Mechanical Transport (MT) Team arranged a two day General Service Land Rover Module 2 course. The course is designed to confirm and reinforce skills learned on previous driving courses and also to teach some new aspects of driving and operating off road in a tactical environment.

The first part of the course was theory based. Students were given lessons including convoy driving, route planning, producing route cards and camouflaging vehicles in tactical situations.

A large part of the training was focused on convoy driving and as such the training team gave the students an exercise scenario which would take place on the second day of the course. As there were some newly promoted NCOs on the course they were given the task of producing a brief set of orders based on the scenario involving moving a packet of vehicles (4 or more) via public roads in convoy to a military driver training area. The training area would

then be classed as enemy held territory and vehicle mounted reconnaissance patrols would take place with the intention of finding a suitable area to conceal a vehicle and observe enemy movements.

The remainder of the first day was given to the students to prepare for the exercise which proved to be an excellent opportunity for the NCOs to develop their planning and leadership. Each member of the team was given a role within the convoy along with a partner who would then switch roles for the return journey. The troops, under the supervision of the packet commander and the watchful eye of the training team, would be expected to travel in convoy to the training area keeping the correct spacings and speed limits, and to navigate using only a route card. The vehicles were given a detailed inspection and thoroughly prepared. After rehearsals the vehicles were parked in ‘order of march’ in preparation of a 0800 move off time.

The following day the convoy successfully made its way on time and as a packet to the training area. After a safety brief the students carried out several

vehicle patrols switching roles in exercise scenario. The training team also provided instruction in off road driving at this time.  When a suitable observation post had been found, a vehicle was camouflaged and put in place, applying the 3 phases which had been taught.

The last element of the course was a return journey via a different route again, using only route cards. As can happen, things didn’t quite go according to plan. A wrong turn caused a separation in the convoy. After a few communication problems the team eventually continued with the plan briefed in orders and safely made it back to camp. This was an excellent learning point and brought home the importance of having “Actions-on” built into your plan and making sure everyone understands them.

This course was a fantastic opportunity, and the team came away with new skills, a developed sense of confidence and fostered a real sense of achievement.

LORD LIEUTENANT’S AWARD

On Thursday 29th September, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Mrs Johanna Ropner presented her annual awards. Along with two members of 607 Sqn, Cpl Thomson was presented with such an award. HM LordLieutenants are appointed by the

King to represent him in each county of the United Kingdom and the honours they present are among the highest an individual can receive. These awards are bestowed onto Reservists and Cadets from each of the three Services in recognition of

outstanding service. Cpl Thomson received his award for his consistent professionalism, dedication, selflessness, and for persistently exemplifying the values, ethos and standards of the RAF which his citation amply evidenced.

Cpl Doughty

Yorkshire UAS News YUAS

As Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron enters a new academic year, there are many new developments on the horizon. With a very busy summer behind them, YUAS is setting their sights on the forthcoming months and preparing to welcome a brand-new intake of Officer Cadets who will experience their first year on Squadron, and many of whom will never have experienced what it is like to be on an RAF Station.

Earlier this month, four students from YUAS were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to participate in the RAF Indoor Winter Sports Festival. Yorkshire placed a respectable third overall out of all other University Air Squadrons, bringing back medals to RAF Leeming and making Yorkshire proud. Students each participated in several timed runs along two slalom ski courses,

with some attempts being more successful than others! Attending students were proud to represent Yorkshire and compete with personnel from across the entire Royal Air Force.

With the beginning of the new academic year, comes YUAS’ farewell to some of their older students and they proceed onto new ventures. Yorkshire wishes them all the best as some look to

civilian careers as well as others who shortly begin MIOT at RAF Cranwell. Whilst we are sorry to say farewell, YUAS is currently in the thick of selecting new candidates to join the squadron and is excited to welcome the new Officer Cadets when they attest into YUAS and the Royal Air Force in the coming weeks.

The reader may be aware of the presence of US Air Force Pave

Hawks recently operating from RAF Leeming as part of Exercise Cobra Warrior. A few students from YUAS were fortunate enough to be able to get airborne with them, and experience one of their sorties as they conducted their training across the UK. This provided a great opportunity to see how operational flying is conducted across the pond and gave students a first-hand insight into tactical rotary operations.

In memory of her late majesty Queen Elizabeth ll, YUAS students are currently undertaking a charity event in which they will run 70km in the month of October, a kilometre for every year Queen Elizabeth ll was on the throne. The challenge has been carried out with the objective of raising money for the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund (RAFBF) and has seen many students put in a lot of effort to complete the challenge.

Furthermore, RAF Leeming has four new Acting Pilot Officers (APOs) from YUAS. APOs Devlin, Jones, Hodgson and Adlawan were selected from many of their YUAS colleagues and successfully completed the APO course at RAF Cranwell in August. The course comprised a week of leadership and personal development training, in preparation for them to take on new senior posts within YUAS. Yorkshire wishes them every success in their new roles over the coming year.

Most recently, several YUAS Officer Cadets attended Air Power Educational Exercise, visiting multiple museums and historical sites across London. This trip saw students visit the RAF Museum Hendon, the Imperial War Museum and HMS Belfast, amongst other sites, delivering presentations they had researched and educating each other on various military operations. It provided a significant opportunity to advance their knowledge on

the history of the British Armed Forces and provided a unique insight into past and present military conflicts.

Our flying training and ground

training continues at pace: you may well see lots of new, and not so new, YUAS Officer Cadets appearing on camp on Friday nights or in the gym on the Saturday morning. This is because

by the time you read this we will have started our weekly Town Nights. These give students lots of opportunities to learn more about themselves, the RAF, and to develop leadership and

public speaking skills. Getting up the next day for the 0800 Saturday gym session would be a shock for most students but it certainly generates a great deal of ‘camaraderie’ for all!

A Year on NUAS

This has been

action-packed year for Northumbrian Universities’ Air Squadron. Students have had the

including Force Development trips, Adventurous Training expeditions, fundraising, and lots of flying!

It’s been a busy year on NUAS, the RAF’s finest University Air Squadron, with students having conducted training all over the world. From stewarding at Wimbledon to hiking in Corsica, from supporting the Cosford Air Show to kayaking in the Mediterranean, NUAS has had an action packed 2022 - here are some of the highlights!

EX MIOT SKI 22

The first trip of 2022 took place between 24th February - 5th March when 22 NUAS students participated in EX MIOT SKI 22 in Les Contamines-Montjoie, a resort situated in the French Alps. Focusing on students with little to no previous skiing experience, the week was an introduction to the sport. Despite the many tumbles, everyone came away from the trip having achieved their Ski Foundation 1 qualification. Students were encouraged to enjoy the time on the slopes and take the opportunity to integrate with other UAS students from around the country, of which they took full advantage! The exercise has been a huge success and has been the largest 6FTS skiing trip to date. With much of the behindthe-scenes work being carried out by NUAS’ very own GTI, Sgt Todd!

EX RED LION

In March, eleven NUAS students visited RAF Benson in South Oxfordshire. The Force Development visit included engineering, air operations and flying squadrons to give students a greater insight into the support helicopter base. Students also conducted an insightful trip to the Battle of Britain Bunker in Uxbridge and were lucky enough to enjoy pax flights on both a Chinook with 28 Sqn and a Puma with 33 Sqn, as well as have a go ‘flying’ themselves in the simulator. The trip also included a great day of water sports in Taplow, and Oxford UAS hosted an intersquadron sports competition where NUAS emerged victorious!

EX CORSICAN CRACKER

This summer, seven NUAS students completed Exercise Corsican Cracker, which saw them trek the northern segment of the famous GR20 trail in Corsica. Starting in Calvi, the route winds diagonally south-east along the jagged spine of Corsica’s mountainous centre: it is often described as one of Europe’s toughest treks. The group tackled sections of steep ascending and descending scrambles in the searing Corsican heat and spent

an

opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities,

the nights either camping or in refuges or bergeries. In total, NUAS traversed 55 miles and had a total elevation gain of over 20,000 feet over 7 days, finishing in the town of Corte.

EX SUNNY MALTESER

As part of Force Development, 16 NUAS students travelled to Malta in September. It was a full timetable with visits to the Malta Aviation Museum, Casa Bernard, Malta National War Museum and much more. Students researched the large military history on the island, focussing on the RAF’s role during the Second World War. Students also conducted a day of adventure raining, kayaking around Gozo, to other smaller islands around Malta such as Comino. It was a valuable, actionpacked week enjoyed by all; students are now looking forward to their next major FD trip to Poland with Ex Krakow Shoah this December.

GREAT NORTH RUN

On the 11th September, five

NUAS students completed the Great North Run, a hilly 13.1 miles (21km) route from the centre of Newcastle to the coast. Around 60,000 people take part in this event each year, making it the world’s largest half marathon. The students collectively raised over £1800 for the RAF Association. Well done to APO Anderson and Off Cdts Percy, Hampson, Marshall and Dobbing!

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Throughout the year, students have had several opportunities

to go mountain biking and work towards completing the JSAT Mountain Bike Foundation Course. The most recent trip took place in the Scottish Borders this September, where five students completed the blue route at Glentress Forest Trail Centre to familiarise themselves with basic techniques and prepare them for the next two days, in which they completed the red trails at Forest of Ae and at Glentress Forest. Following this successful trip, students will be riding a natural route in Gunnerside this October.

SOLO FLYING

With NUAS leading the way in 6FTS since flying restarted in late 2021 (following lifting of Covid-19 restrictions), a record number of students in NUAS have gone solo in such a short space of time. Since April this year, twelve students have flown their first solo on the Grob Tutor. This is a key milestone in the Elementary Flying Training syllabus, and it has been great to see so many students make this milestone in such a compressed timeline.

Age is just a number…

Those that know me, know that I can harp on about being an old lady and all that comes with it. I had let this cloud my enjoyment of horse riding, and life in general, until a very good friend said a phrase which really resonated: ‘Only if you let it’. It’s so easy to get bogged down with life’s trials and tribulations, and sometimes you need an outlet to be able to cope. Horses are my outlet.

I have been horse riding on and off for most of my life; the first time I sat on a horse was at 3 years old. My father was in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and worked closely with Royal Artillery horses. From then on, my love of these gentle giants grew. As a child I used to ‘ride’ the arm of the lounge chair whilst watching the Horse of the Year Show, Hickstead and the sporting legends of Harvey Smith and John Whitaker. I would be dreaming of the day of having my own horse, which finally came true when I turned 38. Sadly, Buffy is no longer with us. However, I am grateful for all she taught me in those first few years of horse ownership.

Four years ago, when I turned 50, I decided that I wanted to do ’60 things before 60’. Unfortunately, COVID got in the way somewhat, but I have managed to accomplish a good few of them.

The biggest highlight is being picked for the RAF Equitation

Eventing Development Team. I have had this ambition for a long time and never thought I would ever be good enough to meet selection.

This has all been possible due to a fabulous horse called Colin (stable name, Colley) and his owner Dot Dixon. Colley’s origin story is one we will never know as he was found running around one of the towns near Durham, subsequently rescued and saved by the British Horse Society. Dot received the phone call and off we trundled to see this hairy, scared horse. Dot, being an experienced horse woman, said he had a kind eye and decided he was the boy for her - so home he came! This was seven years ago, and he has gone from a scared horse hiding and shaking in the back of his stable to Lord of the Manor, very much spoilt and loved. After losing Buffy, Dot said I didn’t need to buy another horse as Colley was available: this is where the journey for ‘Team Colin’ began.

Entering the Royal Tournament at Melton Mowbray Defence Animal Training Regiment was a huge highlight for both Dot and I. I was able to represent the RAF Development Team in addition to coming back to a place where I had spent the first six years of my life!!

Knowing the size of classes and talent we would be competing against we went only with the goal of giving Colley exposure to a huge event. Whilst walking the course, I exclaimed to the team manager: ‘Oh! he might look at the marquee!’ Dave Carothers replied with: ‘What Marquee?’ A great bit of advice (thank you, Dave) and I’ve tried to carry that with me. If I don’t make a big deal of it, Colley won’t.

It was probably one of the hottest weeks in June, and we entered three classes, containing up to 80 competitors. “Oh well!” we thought, “It’s definitely going to be a great experience!” Seeing the

competitors coming and going on Day 1 was tough when you’re one of the last in a two-hour class. I tried not to let nerves get the better of me. Colley was very excited, and those who know Colley know he can be a little feisty when he’s warming up! Our turn finally arrived, and we went clear! We were elated to come in the top 10.

Day 2 was a morning and afternoon class. We were on early so prepped as the day before. The jumps were a little higher for the CTS Shield 75 – 80cm. Again, I tried not to let the nerves get the better of me and in we went: another double clear! We couldn’t believe it. The cheer from the RAF team was one I will never forget. Later that day we entered the ETS Shield 85-90cm: this was the biggest course I’d ever done

in competition, so I had to dig deep! With a lot of deep breaths, we rode in. Some of the spread combinations looked massive but I just kept telling myself that Colley would jump these easily and to trust him. He jumped brilliantly: every jump clear til I made an error in my signals and had the last down. To say I was proud is a huge understatement; to see the big grin on Dot’s face was amazing. I never thought we would even be placed in the rosettes, so imagine my surprise when my name was called as the winner of the CTS Shield! Dot was slightly overcome with emotion. As I was receiving the wining rosettes and prizes, my name was called again for 6th in the ETS Shield. Not a bad day at the office, you can imagine our elation.

During the summer I have gained

This photo was over seven years ago and Colley has just grown from strength to strength, he absolutely loves jumping and we have taken his education very slowly so not to rush him, working from small tiny poles on the ground to now jumping 90cm.

A few years later after a lot of love, care and excitement. At Somerford Park with the RAF Equitation Association, Cross Country training.

By FS Ange Polgreen

Some of the highlights of 2022 Richmond Cup

confidence in eventing - dressage, show jumping and cross-country jumps. These have been improving steadily, Colley prefers jumping so there is still some work to do with the dressage.

RAF Leeming Saddle club are a great supportive group and encourage all riders at all levels. We hold a lot of events during the year, including dressage training, western riding, and mechanical horse training sessions. For riders who don’t own their own horse we use The Hollies Riding School at Richmond: a great location with a wide range of horses to suit all skills.

If you would be interested in joining RAF Leeming Saddle Club you can find committee contact on the Leeming Club pages. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve a fraction of what I have without the support of RAF Leeming Saddle Club, the RAF Equitation Association and, more importantly, my dear friend/ horse owner/top groom/lorry driver - Dot Dixon.

We are excellent. We are QE.

The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) has found Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate to be ‘Excellent’ across all schools, praising our pupils’ outstanding academic achievements and personal development.

Queen Ethelburga’s has a long-standing relationship with the British Forces, welcoming students from military families for over 100 years. We currently have over 300 such students living as part of the QE family.

We welcome day students from 3 months to 19 years and boarders from 6 years to 19 years. We are CEA accredited and in recognition of our commitment to Forces families, we offer a significant reduction in fees. In 2022/23 this meant that our Forces families paid just 10% of fees. In 2022/23 Forces families will pay just £1,185 per term, per child.

We pride ourselves on our wrap-around specialist pastoral care for our students, providing a secure and supportive home from home. We are focused on creating the right learning and living environment so that every one of them can thrive.

For further information or to arrange a visit contact our admissions team on: Tel: 01423 333333 Email: admissions@qe.org

A UNIQUE SCHOOL MODEL FOR SUCCESS

Set in more than 220 acres of beautiful North Yorkshire countryside in a secure rural location, and under 2.5 hours from the capital by train, Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate welcomes girls and boys aged from 3 months and support them through four schools - Chapter House (3 months to Year 5), King’s Magna (Year 6 to 9), The College and The Faculty (both Year 10 to 13). This unique model made up of four smaller schools is designed to maintain a nurturing family atmosphere and sense of individuality, with each school having their own Heads and staff teams.

King’s Magna is Queen Ethelburga’s middle school, supporting the transition between the Collegiate’s primary education at Chapter House and the demands of GCSEs. This supportive, vibrant and caring school environment ensures students can grow and mature into their teenage years with confidence. Visitors often comment that there is a ‘palpable sense of respect’ between students and staff, and amongst students themselves.

Daniel Machin, Principal of Queen Ethelburga’s, comments ‘Our King’s Magna students set the example for the rest of the Collegiate to follow with their capacity to excel in times of change, and their determination to make the best of their interests, skills and talents. We expect a great deal and they rise to the challenge, whether that be developing their independence, their motivation, their personal and social skills, or their achievements.

No longer the Chapter House age class-based children, not yet the public exam, career and skills developing senior school students; our King’s Magna students develop the foundations for future success with their academic studies, their broad range of activities and interests, and above all else their infectious enthusiasm in all that they take on.

We have developed our own curriculum which is relevant, challenging and engaging for our learners. Our innovative, modern programmes of study foster curiosity and equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to move seamlessly to our College or Faculty at the end of Year 9.’

The Queen Ethelburga’s Admissions Team can provide further information and help arrange a visit to see for yourself what makes them so special. Visit www.qe.org or email admissions@qe.org

“Our King’s Magna students develop the foundations for future success with their academic studies, their broad range of activities and interests, and above all else their infectious enthusiasm in all that they take on.”