From CCF to Army Doctor - Emma's Story So Far | Denstone College | 2026 | Staffordshire and Derbyshire

From Denstone CCF to Army Doctor: Old Denstonian Emma Ratcliffe

Emma Ratcliffe (Old Denstonian, 2017), how Denstone College and its Combined Cadet Force (CCF) shaped her career choices, and we are delighted to share her story.

Emma joined Denstone in 2012 and was an integral part of the CCF for four of her five years with us, rising to become Head of the RAF CCF Section. She was also a House Captain, a Music Scholar and an Academic Exhibition Scholar, and she completed her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.

Since leaving Denstone, Emma has kept a steadfast commitment to her military ambitions. While studying for her Master's degree in Pharmacy at the University of Strathclyde, which she completed with Distinction, she joined the Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities Officer Training Corps (UOTC), where she became a Junior Under Officer. She later served with a Reservist unit in Orkney, Scotland, while completing her registration as a Pharmacist.

Her reservist service has continued without a break as she has gone on to study Medicine at the University of Sunderland, where she is now in her final year. Along the way she has been awarded funding for a research project, presented her findings at a conference at Newcastle University, and founded her medical society's running club.

After a challenging and highly competitive selection process, Emma has been awarded an Army Medical Bursary, securing her route into the British Army after medical school. Once she has completed her two compulsory foundation years, she is on track to graduate as an officer from Sandhurst in 2029, commissioning as a Captain and serving as an Army Doctor.

As the first person in her immediate family to join the military, Emma looks back fondly on where it all began:

"Denstone College's CCF was a key stepping stone towards my career within the British Army, providing me with the interest and ambition to serve. I highly recommend current pupils getting involved in the CCF; it is an excellent platform for discovering the incredible opportunities available within the Armed Forces."

The CCF is a big part of outdoor life at Denstone. It gives pupils the chance to try something new, build confidence and take on leadership and team roles, along with a taste of the opportunities that open up within the Armed Forces.

Congratulations to Emma from everyone at Denstone, and best wishes for the final year of her degree and the exciting journey ahead.