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Covering 1-31st May 2021

May saw the return to face-to-face training, the phase-out of virtual parading and qualification presentations to last all of the lockdown.

The cadets were grateful to see their unit reopened, with all cadets attending our first parade back as we offered to engage afloat recap sessions, reinforced safeguarding and welcomed our new joiners who hadn't yet seen the site!

Across the month, the staff implemented an engaging afloat plan, with AT sessions planned for those ashore and specialization required for promotion as a priority. By the end of May, we saw 16 new Seamanship qualifications, as well as a range of tasters afloat!

Three of our Royal Marines Cadets also achieved their promotion to Cadet Lance Corporal after working tirelessly over lockdown to attend and pass a virtual promotion board. The cadets were promoted back at the unit, as we were able to celebrate their achievement.

Staff continued to engage with the planning of future training, as we looked forward to June where restrictions are set to lift even further, allowing different activities to take place!

Covering 1-30th April 2021

The month of April saw the Corps begin to allow outdoors training, the restart of day-run courses and the preparation for Sutton Coldfield Sea Cadets' reopening.

Whilst Virtual Training continued throughout April, we had the cadets start attending the local Midlands Boat Centre and complete courses such as Powerboat Level 2 and Windsurf Stage 1! In addition to this, we had members of our DofE Cohorts achieve their 'Certificate of Achievement' from the awarding body for completing their DofE over lockdown!

Whilst the cadets were busy attending courses, instructional staff, unit management team members and unit assistants worked tirelessly to ensure that the unit building was ready for reopening. COVID Safe Procedures were checked by the Command Team, cleaning stations were recreated and a return-to-unit plan was implemented to keep our Ships Company safe! With a reopening date at the start of May, parents and guardians engaged with the unit and prepared their cadets for the return.

One final clean-down was conducted as we draw April to a close, with face-to-face training returning on the horizon. 

Covering 1-31st March 2021

With a roadmap out of lockdown laid down by the Corps, Sutton Coldfield Unit started the final stretch of Virtual Learning whilst getting excited about returning to face-to-face training.

Virtual Training continued with a visit from the Royal Navy Engagement team, who also brought along a serving Royal Marine Commando to have a talk to our Royal Marines Cadets about their training and future aspirations to the forces.

We also saw cadets engage with the Virtual Airmans Proficeicny, Virtual Seamanship, Meteorology and Piping! 

Staff at Sutton Coldfield Sea Cadets begun to have discussions regarding training when we returned face-to-face, what it looks like and began to create a plan!

Covering 1-28th February 2021

Whilst still under lockdown restrictions, Sutton Coldfield Sea Cadets continued to deliver high-quality virtual training to its vast ship's company, including Virtual Regattas and guest speakers.

February saw our Ships Company engage in external Virtual events, such as spotlights from the Royal Navy Engagement Team and 'return to boating' sessions, as well as delivering presentations on Navy Battles and gaining promotions.

Covering 1-31st January

January brought another challenge as the country re-entered Lockdown for the third time. Our Training Team spent no time in creating a new Virtual Learning plan, to engage our cadets and continue their development during the lockdown.

Unlike the first version, which was delivered over Google Classrooms, and the second, which was delivered on masse by the Command Team, the new plan consisted of three points:

1. Unit Training (Delivered over Zoom)
2. National Training
3. Promotion and Development

We started with Unit Training and developed a training plan, lead by the Divisional Officers, that allows knowledge development and aims to increase retainment of subject-matter. The Divisional Officers worked hard to create engaging sessions and set to recruit the assistance of their Divisions to deliver them. We then had three classrooms created - Maintops, Quarterdeck, Royal Marines Cadets.

Next was the National Training, where our Unit Training Officer and Unit Admin Officer looked out at difference Sea Cadet Facebook Pages, and scoured Westminster, for courses being delivered at different levels. By doing this, contacting the relevant cadets or sharing it on social media, we are able to let the cadets engage in new ways.

Finally was Promotion and Development, where our Command Team worked with the Divisional Officers to see who is approaching promotion and setting up a time to conduct interviews. After these three were thought on we came to the following system:

• Virtual Parades on Friday
• NO Parades on Sunday, but the time to conduct specific training and interviews
• Booking cadets on all courses that they wish to attend

Our first Virtual Parade was on the 22nd of January 2021, and we had 70% of our cadets attend. We then reached out to cadets who didn't attend to try and help them access the Virtual Learning. Our second parade was on the 29th of January 2021, where we retained our cadet percentage as further modules were delivered.

We have also had a total of 28 Cadets book onto different courses across the month of January, which is a wonderful achievement.

In addition to cadet training, we are also getting our staff developed as we have booked them onto 10 courses to aid their promotion.

On 14th January we held our Annual General Meeting, in which we saw our elected Unit Management Committee step down. After an update on the year just gone, and the prospects for the year ahead discussed, we had our Unit Management Committee voted back in, with three additions. We now have an 8 strong Unit Management Committee.

Regardless of the challenges presented, T.S. Sutton Coldfield has risen to the challenge to deliver high-quality training and development opportunities.