Tag: Glencorse barracks

SCOTS soldiers help Edinburgh school students to develop essential skills though new project

A group of people standing in a park AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Students from Beeslack High School, Penicuik, had the unique opportunity to interview soldiers from The Royal Regiment of Scotland, working together to create content for the Museum of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, at Edinburgh Castle.

Marking a first of its kind, a group of 25 students across S2-S6 took part in this special project, working in partnership with the museum and soldiers from 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS).

The content they produced will be featured on the museum’s online learning hub, offering future students’ valuable insights into life within The Royal Regiment of Scotland and the history of Glencorse barracks.

This collaboration was made possible through Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), a Scotland-wide network that helps young people prepare for the world of work. The project was designed to be accessible to students from various backgrounds and abilities, with the aim of helping them develop essential skills like communication and teamwork.

Over six weeks, soldiers from 2 SCOTS and museum representatives worked closely with the students to improve their interview skills, help them develop thoughtful questions to ask the soldiers and enhance their overall communication abilities and confidence. 

Joshua S, 15, a student from Beeslack High School, commented on the opportunity: “I was really excited to take part in this course because I’m in the cadets, but I wanted to learn more about the barracks, which is just up the road from our school.

“The course has been really fun, and I’ve had the chance to ask real-life soldiers questions that me and my mates have always wanted to know, like what’s deployment really like, what’s your favourite military vehicle and who famous have you met. I can even use some of the content I’ve helped film in my college application portfolio!”

Major Joe Willden, Regimental Administration Officer who is attached to 2 SCOTS said: “This has been a great opportunity – the students came prepared, asked us thoughtful questions and really took an interest in what life in the Regiment is actually like.

“It’s not often that we get the chance to support this kind of creative learning, and we were genuinely impressed by the level of enthusiasm they brought to the project.”

Allison Spark, Curator of Museum of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, said: “It’s been brilliant working with the students – helping them build key life skills while also exploring how the modern Royal Regiment of Scotland operates in a way that goes beyond the classroom.

“It’s especially exciting that the content they’ve created will actually be used to teach their peers on our learning hub and will remain a valuable resource for years to come.”

Gladiator victory ‘no surprise’

How SCOTS Military Training Forged Gladiators Champion

The Edinburgh based fitness trainer at the barracks of Gladiators winner Major Finlay Anderson has expressed his lack of surprise at the standout performance of his fellow soldier.

Sergeant John Fleming, who has trained over a thousand soldiers at Glencorse Barracks in the outskirts of Edinburgh, believes Finlay’s military training played a huge part in his success in the hit BBC show.

John, who helps soldiers of all ranks reach and maintain peak physical fitness, said: “I’m not surprised that a soldier from The Royal Regiment of Scotland was able to beat the Gladiators – our training is to the highest, most demanding standards and anyone who is capable of enduring it could really take on the challenge in terms of fitness and endurance.

“The way we train means it’s not just about physical strength and stamina – it’s the mental resilience that gives our soldiers the edge and the ability to take on any challenge.”

SCOTS soldiers under John’s training are required to have a minimum of three physical training sessions per week, at least 60 minutes dedicated to self-directed fitness. And, in the lead-up to operations, sessions significantly increase in intensity, becoming testing and uncomfortable as soldiers’ overall fitness and mental resilience is pushed to extremes.

John said: “Our gym and training ground doesn’t exactly look like the Gladiators stadium, but it certainly is a space where soldiers learn physical discipline and, when necessary, push themselves to their limits.

“Soldiers are first put through the foundation phase, teaching correct movement and injury prevention. We then move onto the resilience phase, where soldiers’ cardio strengths are put to the test in full kit.

“The final phase is the ‘Specific Phase’, which puts soldiers through their paces by focusing on strength training through various testing exercises. This really is the toughest part.”

With seven years as a Physical Training Instructor (PTI) under his belt, John has helped over a thousand SCOTS Soldiers develop and improve their own physical training, mental resilience, and overall strength.

Aged just 17, John started his army journey with six years as an Infantry soldier within the Royal Regiment of Scotland and two years as a Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer before joining the Royal Army Physical Training Corps (RAPTC), igniting his passion for fitness into his career development.

Ahead of stepping into the official role of Physical Training Instructor (PTI), John endured a tough selection process in Aldershot, which tested his physical and mental strength to the limit. Within the grueling 19-weeks of training, John was taught how to develop advanced physical training techniques, leadership skills, instructional methods and widen his military understanding.

John said: “Being a PTI in the Army is a tough, but extremely rewarding job.  Not only do I get to bolster the fittest soldier athletes, but I also get to train those who need some extra support, where Army levels of fitness may not come as naturally to them.”