The squadron looks to parents to support your son or daughter in their ATC “Career”, please take an interest and do all you can to support their chosen pastime.
We have activities of some sort nearly every weekend, ranging from events which require only one or two cadets to those which demand the attendance of the whole squadron.

Some activities are free of charge. Others, for example Adventure Training & Camps do require a small contribution from cadets – although in general this subsidised by the Squadron. This fee will cover accommodation, food & transport – as well as any specialist instructors or equipment requirements. Any surplus will be refunded by cheque to the next of kin.

If your son or daughter complains to you that they are not doing anything, please ask them to come and discuss it with the staff. We do not bite, we will not be offended, but listen to any complaint or criticism without prejudice. There is a confidential suggestions system if they prefer.

Alternatively, please contact the Commanding Officer or Squadron Training Officer for an informal chat about anything you feel you have a problem with.
The Squadron provides every cadet with a Diary and access to the Squadron website which contains an online calendar to aid in organizing a cadets time.

Please impress upon your son or daughter that if they put their name down for an activity, they are COMMITTING to attending, so they should check with you to make sure they are available and can go first.

Communication is important to us, so please contact us if you have any complaints, comments, or even a thank you! Likewise we will contact you every now and then with information - please read it.

We give as much notice as we can of forthcoming activities, please impress upon your son or daughter that a small notebook and pen will be invaluable in recording meeting times, places, activities, etc.

We provide every cadet access to the squadron website to help with communications. The website contains a wealth of information regarding events, activities or squadron life in general. Members of staff and other cadets can provide advice through this via the Commanding Officer. This parents area has been established on the squadron website, but please feel free to explore the whole site!

It is courtesy for them (or you, on their behalf) to make a short phone call to let us know that they are ill, or cannot attend because of an emergency or other cause.

Regular attendance is necessary to ensure your son or daughter gets the most out of the ATC.

We appreciate that homework is more important, and at examination time, cadets can arrange “study leave”. Please let us know.

Please be aware a small minority of cadets tell their parents they are coming to the unit, and then go elsewhere. It is your responsibility to know they are attending, and indeed that they want to attend. It is also your responsibility to get them safely to and from the unit.

We will make contact with you if we have not seen your son or daughter for a protracted period, so make sure we know if you are going away on a long holiday.
We do parade all through the year, except for the Christmas period. Notice of this is given to cadets, and will be available on the squadron website.

Subs are payable by every enrolled cadet on a weekly basis. The current charge is £5 per month. The money does not stay in our Squadron funds. It is paid towards the Air Cadet Organisation (ACO) insurances which cover the events that our cadets undertake.

Subs are payable whether a cadet attends the Unit or not. The Squadron has to pay out an amount based on the number of cadets on the books, not the number which attend.

If Subs payments are not kept up to date, the Squadron loses out – which means that the cadets lose out because we cannot afford to do everything we would like.

The Air Training Corps is proud to wear the uniform of the Royal Air Force. We expect the cadets to share the same pride when they wear it. No cadet will be given their uniform before they have proven to us that they can look after their own clothes. The uniform is provided free of charge but is ON LOAN.

The cadet will sign for the uniform when it is issued to them. In signing for the uniform they are agree to take on the responsibility of keeping it clean, tidy and to wear it a manner befitting a member of the Royal Air Force. Cadets are not permitted to wear ANY issued uniform outside cadet hours – this includes DPM uniform. Uniform is replaced free of charge on a fair wear and tear basis. Uniform that is lost or stolen will have to be paid for.

Be aware the replacement charge is in excess of £300 for a complete uniform.
When your son or daughter leaves ATC the uniform MUST be returned in a clean and tidy condition. We will pursue non return of uniform and outstanding subscriptions.

You must provide footwear in the form of boots or shoes (We will advise on the correct styles – cadets will be briefed on this during their training). A new recruit is measured for their uniform during the probationer training. The squadron then places an order with RAF St. Athan for the clothing required. The ordering process is lengthily, and occasionally there are delays in supplying the correct uniform to us. We aim to do all we can to minimize such delays.

There can be substantial delays if we have to order special sizes, please appreciate this.

You will be given care instructions for the uniform, please ask if you have any questions.