Combined Cadet Force All boys enter the Combined Cadet Force in the Summer Term of the Fourth Form. They can choose from any of the three sections - Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force. They stay in their chosen service for at least four terms. Thereafter, they have the choice of remaining in the CCF or involving themselves in Community Service or other Sixth Form activities. Involvement in the CCF activities provides a huge range of opportunities for all pupils including gliding, flying, sailing, shooting, expeditions, overnight camps and orienteering. Senior pupils complete the BTEC Diploma in Public Services. The programme gives pupils opportunities to develop self-confidence, initiative, a broader awareness and maturity and also enables them to enjoy themselves outside the classroom.
CCF Annual Inspection The annual CCF Inspection took place on 18 September 2008. Colonel Johnny Shute OBE was the Inspecting Officer. The CCF Contingent Commander at St John's said: "Our cadets demonstrate a range of skills and the whole day is a measure of our depth of commitment to the Combined Cadet Force."	CCF Annual Inspection Day
Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme The School runs the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme as an extra-curricular activity. Boys can opt in the Lower Fifth Form to start the Silver Award. In the Sixth Form, both boys and girls can complete the Gold Award. To complete a level, pupils must do a Service (either CCF or helping with the elderly); a Skill (hobbies such as Photography or playing a musical instrument); a Sport and an Expedition (the Silver Award is in the UK, the Gold Award is usually further afield). The purpose of the Award is to develop personal skills including self-motivation and self-discipline; leadership qualities through group work and expeditions; and to generate an awareness of others through service. It requires a high level of commitment, especially at Gold level, which is why universities see it as a very positive recommendation on CVs.	Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme

School Charity

Pupils at St John's will spent a year fundraising for a charity. The Student Council chose CHICKS as its nominated charity for the School's fundraising efforts. CHICKS, a local charity provide as many disadvantaged children as possible with the life enhancing experience of a free respite break away in Devon or Cornwall. CHICKS helps children from a variety of different backgrounds, including children growing up in poverty, children of prisoners, and children who have been abused, either physically, emotionally or sexually. CHICKS also provides breaks for young carers.

In 2007-08 the pupils decided to support AMECA, raising over £25,000 during the year. AMECA was founded in December 2006 by Ruth Markus, in memory of her only child, Lt. Alex Coutselos,a doctor in the British Army, who died on 15th October 2006, aged 23 . As Alex was a pupil at St John's School 1996-2001 in Surrey House, the pupils wanted to support the Charity in his name.

Alex's experiences in Kenya, on operation with the British Army, had a profound impact on him. The opportunity to make a difference to the lives of poor and vulnerable people inspired a long-term determination to become involved with such humanitarian work in the future. His untimely death has inspired his mother to fulfil this dream by improving medical facilities in Africa. AMECA seeks to raise funds to build, equip and maintain a district based educational unit, as part of a Centre for Rural Health in a small village called Lehurutshe which is located in the North West Province in South Africa, very close to the Botswana border.

Community Service Unit (CSU)

The Community Service Unit offers a wide choice of service to the community and all members of the Sixth Form not already involved in the CCF are encouraged to participate in the scheme. In addition, students preparing for their Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh will often fulfil their service requirements through a CSU placement. Traditionally, we have provided help in local junior schools and visits to the elderly.

Recent developments include more ambitious projects such as working with autistic children, providing classroom help at a school for disabled children and providing home help for blind people in the local area. We have also extended our work to help develop computer skills amongst the elderly and are working closely with Exonmobil to develop Community Service projects in the local area.