Army School of Education Visit “Problem Solving and Team Building Day”

On Thursday 19th March 2026 – 11 Potential Officers, from the Army School of Education, Worth Down Barracks, visited the school to deliver their annual Problem Solving and Team Building Task Day. All of the POs are working towards becoming junior officers at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and the Army use the day to take the potential officers out of their comfort zone and also to look at their leadership and communication skills in an unfamiliar situation. We have become an integral part of their Potential Officer Development Programme, over a number of years, and both the school and the officers thoroughly enjoy the days they plan and deliver.

The 11 POs put on a number of different activities which involved solving problems, working as a team and communication. All classes across the school took part in the day and the different activities. There was an obstacle course, 2 problem solving activities and some ‘Drill’ sessions out on the hard court – Marching in time, standing at ease, saluting ‘Attention’ and in some cases even the pupils leading the soldiers themselves.

Below are some quotes that were received from the Potential Officers about their experiences of the day:

·      An incredibly rewarding experience. It was great to work with the pupils and the amazing teachers.

·      It was a pleasure to be a part of Army Day at Osborne School. The most fulfilling part was to see everyone enjoy the events. Special thanks to all the teachers for their support on the day.

·      A fantastic opportunity to engage with the local community, the students and teachers were fantastic and made the day a pleasure.

·      A day I won’t forget for a long time. An eye-opening experience reminding me to be extremely grateful for what I have. I hope we had a positive impact on these young kids.

·      It was a great opportunity to work with a cohort I would never have had the chance to interact with. I was able to gain so much from the experience and broaden my horizons by working with a variety of skill sets.

·      It was an excellent opportunity to be tested under a different style of pressures. Whilst providing an entertaining experience for the Osborne students.

·      It was a pleasure to run Army Day for such a delightful group of students and was absolutely one of the most novel experiences of my career.

·      An eye-opening experience, understanding how to better my leadership and problem-solving, whilst also trying to keep it fun.

·      A very rewarding day. I really enjoyed working with such enthusiastic students, they are a credit to the school. A truly inspiring experience.

·      A new and unique experience to work with Incredible individuals and a great opportunity to represent the army in a fun and entertaining light.

·      A fantastic opportunity to develop lessons and teaching styles in an environment with varying nuanced challenges, fantastic to see everyone having fun.

We would like to thank the Potential Officers for their planning and delivery of the day, and we wish them all the very best in the future.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable day for the soldiers, pupils and staff. The Army Days have become part of our yearly curriculum now and they have a real positive impact on all parties involved.