Cheney School CCF is brand new, having been established as a standalone contingent in the summer of 2026. It is therefore open to being shaped for the future by someone who believes in the positive power of military education. The CCF links closely with other aspects of school life, such as the DofE award scheme, the House system, the enrichment programme and character development. The CCF has the full backing of the governing body and the school’s senior leadership team. This position is term time, plus 5 days, based on 22.5 hours per week.

What skills and experience are required

Previous military experience would be a great advantage, either in the regular armed forces or the Reserves. This post would be ideally suited to a senior NCO leaving the forces, and looking for a way to pass on their skills to a diverse community of young people. You need to like children, believe in the value of positive social mobility, and want to work in a genuinely diverse community. This requires enthusiasm, compassion and patience; a true comprehensive school is the most rewarding place to work, but can also be a challenge. If you want to make a difference, and develop your skills as a mentor for young people, apply. 

What we can offer

We offer a positive workplace with an exceptionally supportive and open-minded staff body. Visitors always comment that people like each other at Cheney. We provide excellent opportunities for career progression, training and advancement; the range of Continuing Professional Development is second to none. You can read the outcome of our most recent Ofsted inspection here. 

If you would like to have a confidential conversation about the role, prior to application, please contact Shane Clark, contingent commander, via email: scl@cheneyschool.org 

Cheney School is part of the River Learning Trust

Education has the power to change lives, communities and society for the better. At RLT we believe that we can achieve more for our pupils, trainees, staff and communities by working together rather than alone. Schools in RLT are united by a common belief in the benefits of working together, and by our commitment to shared principles.

OUR VISION is for our schools and SCITT to improve rapidly, continuously and sustainably: to be better faster together.

OUR ‘WHY?’ is that children and young people ‘only get one go’ in school and therefore as part of RLT we aim to ensure the best possible ‘go’ for our pupils.

OUR ‘HOW?’ is through the highest support and challenge for our schools and each other, underpinned by our principles.

Our employees benefit from a wide variety of support including extensive  continuing professional learning and development opportunities, wellbeing and staff networks and access to Defined Benefit Pension Schemes (TPS and LGPS) for all staff. For more information on what it is like to work for the Trust, and the benefits you could access, please see our “Working in RLT” guide.

This role includes regulated activity relevant to children. 

The school reserves the right to consider and interview candidates ahead of the closing date if appropriate. An offer may be made to an exceptional candidate in this instance. 

The River Learning Trust and Cheney School are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and preventing extremism.   The Trust is required to conduct a variety of checks and online searches about you as part of their recruitment process in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. It is an offence to apply for certain roles within schools if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

For all RLT Safer Recruitment Documentation candidates should click on the following link RLT Safer Recruitment Documents for Candidates. Please see our website for up to date policies including our Child Protection and Behaviour Policies. 

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. For further guidance for applicants click on this link List of offences that are not filtered