Officer Cadet from Southport celebrating their graduation from Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

OFFICER Cadet Daniel Capps, 26 year old, from Southport; is celebrating their graduation in a pass off parade that was held at the world renowned Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, in front of the Chief of the General Staff, Sir Nick Carter KCB CBE DSO ADC Gen, on Friday, 13 April 2018.

To pass out from Sandhurst, Capps has completed the full 44 weeks of intensive military and academic training, combined with adventurous training and sporting challenges. The parade is a key milestone for every Army Officer and has been celebrated at the end of each term for more than 200 years.

As soon as an Officer Cadet graduates, they gain immediate leadership responsibilities within the British Army, and will have career progression through the ranks.

The Officer Cadet's new responsibilities include:- leading a platoon of 30 soldiers, managing their skills, workloads and welfare, and potential deployment on peacekeeping missions or deliver humanitarian aid within months of graduating. Sandhurst trains Officers to prepare for leading their platoons in high pressure situations and belong to 1 of the most respected organisations in the world.

With the support of friends and family in the audience, Officer Cadet Capps took part in the Sovereign's Parade in front of the Chief of the General Staff, Sir Nick Carter KCB CBE DSO ADC Gen.

2Lt Capps, who will be joining The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, said:- "Being part of an elite group of people that have graduated as British Army Officers from Sandhurst makes me extremely proud. It's 1 of the biggest challenges I have ever undertaken, but also 1 of the most rewarding. I cannot wait to be putting the leadership skills I've learned at Sandhurst to good use as part of my new Regiment. I would recommend an Officer career to anyone looking for an exciting job away from the mundane 9 to 5, wanting to develop unique and lasting bonds of friendship and hoping to belong to a cause that makes a positive difference in the world, especially if you want to move immediately into a leadership or management position."

Major General Paul Nanson, Commandant Royal Military Academy Sandhurst said:- "Congratulations to all our Officer Cadets on their commissions. The Cadets have come from a wide variety of backgrounds; many have come straight from university, some from 6th form and some from within the Army's soldier ranks; but they will now all embark on their Army careers with the same outstanding training. Being an Officer in the Army means supporting each of your soldiers and colleagues, sharing values and goals, and working together to achieve something that really matters. I look forward to seeing each of our new Officers realise their full potential as they embark on their careers with the Army."

The parade ended in traditional fashion with the Academy Adjutant following the Officer Cadets up the steps and through the grand entrance, mounted on his horse.

The British Army is recruiting. To join the Regular Army as an Officer, candidates must be 18 to 28 years of age, attained at least 7 GCSE's (with a minimum grade C in English Language, Maths and either a science or a foreign language) and also have 180 UCAS Tariff points from a maximum of 3 A Level subjects. Applicants attend a 1 day Army Officer Selection Board briefing, where leadership and teamwork skills are tested. Candidates then go to the selection board, which consists of a 3 day assessment of physical and mental suitability for the role.

Officer Cadets earn a starting salary of ₤25,984 while they train and receive an annual salary of ₤31,232 after training, plus pension. After 5 years Officers can be earning at least ₤40,025 as a Captain.

For more information about the exciting job opportunities with the Army, call into 1 of our Army Careers Centres and talk to a member of our Senior Talent team who will be happy to answer any questions about joining, or visit:- Army.MOD.UK/Belong.

Aughton St Michael's pupils navigate way to SPAR Lancashire School Games

PUPILS from Aughton St Michael's Church of England Primary School in West Lancashire are celebrating after securing a place at the largest youth sporting event in Lancashire, following victory in a Primary Orienteering Competition.

The students gathered in bitter cold conditions at Tarleton Academy to battle it out against 16 other teams and will now represent West Lancashire at the SPAR Lancashire School Games county finals where they will compete against teams from 14 other Lancashire districts in a bid to be crowned county champions in Primary Prienteering.

Chris Hart, School Games organiser for West Lancashire, who arranged the event, said:- "Despite the freezing conditions, all pupils did amazingly well in this year's West Lancashire primary orienteering competition. Each pair from the winners Aughton St Michael's found all the tough clues, so they're worthy winners and I wish them all the best at the county finals."

Organised by Active Lancashire, the SPAR Lancashire School Games comprises a series of inclusive sporting events that provides competitive and participative opportunities for all School children across the county. Children across Lancashire will continue to battle it out in a range of sports to gain a place at the SPAR Lancashire School Games county finals which will be held at Blackpool's Stanley Park, on 3 July 2018.

More than 3,500 children from Schools across Lancashire's 15 districts are now battling it out for a place at the county finals in 16 sports including gymnastics, football, athletics, mixed cricket and touch rugby. New additions to the SPAR Lancashire School Games line up have also been introduced for 2018, including:- quick sticks and quad kids.

The SPAR Lancashire School Games is the biggest School Games programme of its kind and is implemented by the county's School Games organisers.

This year will mark the 12th year the county's School Games programme has been sponsored by James Hall and Company Ltd, the SPAR distributors for the north of England. Over ₤128m of National Lottery and Government funding has been invested into the School Games programme.