The Portsmouth Grammar School - Combined Cadet Force School Staff Instructor (CCF SSI)

Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a suitably qualified and experienced School Staff Instructor (SSI) to join our well-established Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and provide administrative, logistical and training support to our contingent. This is a part-time role for 18.75 hours (equivalent to 2.5 days) per week.

Detail

The Portsmouth Grammar School is a leading co-educational school located in the historic heart of Portsmouth. We are very much a family school known for excellent teaching, superb pastoral care and wide-ranging co-curricular opportunities and offer an education across the age range from Pre-School to Sixth Form.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a suitably qualified and experienced School Staff Instructor (SSI) to join our well-established Combined Cadet Force (CCF). Reporting to the Contingent Commander, the CCF SSI provides administrative, logistical and training support to the contingent. Our CCF SSI oversees essential operations, including inventory, health and safety, and the planning, delivery and administrative support for training exercises and camps. Core duties include managing military equipment and weapons, conducting risk assessments for training, and maintaining pupil and staff records on the Westminster system.

It is expected that candidates will have a Regular, Reserve or Cadet service background. Strong administrative and IT skills are essential together with a willingness to undertake all necessary MoD training for the role. In addition to the pre-appointment checks required by the school, the successful candidate will need to complete any required MOD checks before appointment.

It will be a requirement of the role to drive school minibuses in support of CCF activities and the successful candidate will have a full clean driving licence and ideally have experience of driving vehicles larger than a car. It is desirable that candidates have a D1 category licence or a commitment to work towards achieving this qualification within 1 year of appointment. Ongoing MiDAS training will be provided by the school as needed and all training and refresher courses must be completed by the post holder, to include a driver medical, to the required timeframes and standards. It is expected that the successful candidate either has, or will work towards, an outdoor first aid qualification.

Working Pattern and Hours

The role of CCF School Staff Instructor (SSI) is a part-time, year-round position, working 18.75 hours per week (equivalent to 2.5 days). A standard working day is 7.5 hours, inclusive of a 30-minute unpaid lunch break. The role will involve an expectation of approximately 15 additional days per annum, worked during weekends and school holiday periods, in support of CCF camps, expeditions, and trips. These additional days will not attract additional pay and instead will be compensated through Time Off in Lieu (TOIL), to be taken at mutually agreed times, subject to operational requirements and with prior approval from the line manager.

The post-holder is required to attend Professional Development Days (PDDs), as directed by the line manager, attend mandatory training and briefing sessions as required by the Head or Bursar; and participate in the wider life of the School where reasonably required.

Working Arrangements

The post-holder will be required to work Mondays during term time, from 09.30 to 17.30, to support cadet parade activities. A second fixed on-site day each week will be agreed in consultation with the CCF Contingent Commander. The remaining hours may be worked flexibly, subject to operational requirements and prior agreement, to ensure the effective delivery of the role.

The role will also require occasional evening and weekend working, including attendance at events such as information evenings, ceremonial occasions, and formal dinners and availability to support key CCF activities outside normal working hours, as part of the overall remit of the post.

CCF Camps

To support the delivery of the CCF programme, the role holder will plan and conduct all logistics for the following weekend and holiday camps (although this requirement may vary from year to year):

• A weekend contingent camp in October (3 days) – role holder to lead
• Single Service camps in March (2 days) and May (2 days) – role holder to lead the Army camps
• CCF AT Summer camp in July (6 day camp and 2 days follow-on admin) – role holder to lead

Required Qualifications and Experience

These are the qualifications required to fulfil the role. Candidates will have completed, or be working towards completion of, the following qualifications:

• Skill at Arms (Movement)(MQual) (Mandated in advance of appointment)
• Skill at Arms Instructor (SAAI) (Mandated)
• Range Safety Supervisor (KQual) (Mandated)
• Westminster trained (Mandated)
• Short and Long Range Qual (Mandated)
• Branch Security Officer (BSO) (Mandated)
• General Security Awareness (GSA) (Mandated)
• Arms and Ammunition Security Awareness (AASA) (Mandated)
• ACTO & FOME trained (Mandated)
• All Arms Ammunition Storeman (Mandated)
• Risk Assessments Practitioners Course (ACSMS) (Mandated)
• AT Qualifications i.e. ML, SUP Instructor (Desirable)
• Working experience of Microsoft products i.e. Teams (Desirable)
• Working experience of standard education software i.e. ISAMS, SOCS, CPOMS (Desirable)

More information and details of required qualifications and experience for this role can be found on our job description for this role.

How to apply:

Candidates are asked to apply via MyNewTerm.

Any enquiries about the role or how to apply are welcome at recruitment@pgs.org.uk or alternatively to Mr Paul Bristow, our CCF Contingent Commander, at p.bristow@pgs.org.uk

The closing date for receipt of applications is midday on Friday 3rd July 2026 and interviews will be scheduled to take place on the school site on Thursday 9th July 2026.

Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as early applications are welcome, and we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date.

The start date will be September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The School may carry out online searches on shortlisted applicants and applicants may be required to provide details of their online profile, including social media account names/handles, as part of their application.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions on a self-declaration form in advance of attending an interview (including those which are ‘spent’ unless they are ‘protected’ under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

Documents

• PGS Job Description and Person Specification_CCF SSI PDF Document