A major review of Britain’s military has recommended that the Department for Education work alongside the Ministry of Defence “to develop understanding of the Armed Forces among young people in schools” amid a “new era for defence and security”.

Published yesterday, the Strategic Defence Review, led by former NATO secretary general Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, also recommended that school and community cadet forces be expanded by as much 30 per cent by 2030, with an ambition to reach 250,000 in the “longer term”.

As at 1 April 2024, there were a little over 139,000 young people involved in the Cadets. The Cadets are directly funded by the Ministry of Defence, and no specific spending commitment has been announced for this plan.

No details were provided as to how the DfE and MoD should work together to further understanding of the Armed Forces in schools.

The DfE has been asked whether it will accept the recommendations and if it has any actionable plans in this regard. It has not yet responded.

New era of threat

The recommendations form part of a government plan for a “whole-of-society approach” to defence and the Armed Forces. An aim is for the Armed Forces to become “more visible in society” amid what is described as a “new era of threat”.

These threats are listed as “war in Europe, growing Russian aggression, new nuclear risks and daily cyberattacks at home.”

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said that he looked forward to further details from the government.

“We look forward to hearing more detail about how the government intends to further develop understanding of the Armed Forces and expand cadet forces in schools,” he said.

Mr Di’Iasio added: “We encourage policymakers to involve schools and young people at an early stage to ensure that any initiatives are engaging and appropriately resourced.”

The DfE has been approached for comment.