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Young cadets have been promoted through the ranks at a special ceremony.

The bespoke cadet course was created for the school and made it the first in Essex to commit to it as a core option for students.

At the formal presentation, Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Lord Lieutenant Cadet and parents celebrated the Year 9, 10 and 11 cadets as they received their BTEC certificates and badges, promotional rank slides and personal achievement awards.

Sarah Mercer, school staff instructor, said: “The Year 11 cadets are the first group of cadets we had here at Burnt Mill. They have worked hard through the pandemic and have managed to achieve their BTEC award.

“The Year 10 cadets have worked very hard to get their promotion, showing great leadership and quality within their work. They have also helped to teach the younger cadets to become more confident. They have moved from being a cadet rank to Lance Corporals.

“The Lord Lieutenant was very happy to be able to present the awards to our cadets. Each cadet was able to show off their marching and saluting skills when their name was called. They marched out in front of Lady Jennifer Tolhurst and saluted her; she then spoke to each of them before they stepped back, saluted again and marched back into rank.”

The cadet training covers first aid, field craft, drill and weapons.

At the end of the two-year course, students achieve a Level 1 BTEC in teamwork and personal skills for uniformed youth organisations, a Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and a first aid certificate.