The Royal Air Force School of Physical Training (SofPT) was formed on the same day as the fledging Royal Air Force (RAF), 1st April 1918, at the re-designated RAF College Cranwell, previously Royal Naval Air Service Training Establishment, and Cranwell. The SofPT is one of only 2 schools the same age as the RAF still in existence, the other being the Central Flying School.
The School was based in the old Royal Navy swimming pool and gymnasium/station church (a wooden building which existed until the early 1960s).
The School’s motto ‘Viribus Audax’ which means ‘Bold In Strength’ is symbolized by a Roebuck on the School Crest. The Roebuck was chosen because of its extraordinary alertness, energy and physical fitness; qualities we endeavor to instill in our Physical Training Instructors (PTI).
In 1920, the School moved to RAF Uxbridge where it remained until the Second World War. Early in the War the School was closed down – presumably because everyone thought the War would be over by Christmas and there was no need to train more PTIs.
In contrast to this and probably when it was realised that it was going to be a long war, the RAF recruited many civilian trained physical education teachers as PTIs and Physical Fitness Officers.
During 1940/1941, PTI training was resumed at 3 newly formed PT Schools: No 1 at RAF St. Athan, No 2 at RAF Cosford and No 3 at Loughborough College. Later in the War both No 1 and No 2 Schools were closed, presumably because there were enough trained PTIs by that time.
To overcome the potential problems with the release scheme after the Second World War, 2 PT Schools were re-opened in late 1945/early 1946 at St. Athan and Cosford.
For some reason, probably a simple administrative error, the numbers of the schools were reversed so that No 1 School was at Cosford and No 2 School was at St. Athan.
In late 1946, it was decided to close No2 S of PT at St. Athan as soon as the existing courses were completed, and all training was transferred to Cosford, including the remainder of the staff.
After a number of years residing at Cosford, in 1954, the School was again moved back to St Athan and then finally, bringing us up to date, the school returned to RAF Cosford in 1977.
Since 1977, there have been many changes at the SofPT with some notable milestones: in 1977, No65 Basic PTI Course (BPTIC) was the first course to graduate at the newly formed School at Cosford. Their training had started at RAF St Athan and was bridged during the move from South Wales.
In November 1977, the course numbers were zeroed and the No1 BPTIC commenced training. Since that date over 100 courses have subsequently graduated including 5 female only courses.
Where male and female courses had been conducted separately this changed when male and femaole candidtaes attended the first combined male and female course which was No 29 BPTIC August 1988.
As of May 2016, the School had graduated over 1,000 PTIs, for the Specialist Trade Training of Basic PTIs as well as running Trade Magnement Training Courses for newly promoted Corporal and Sergeant PTIs.
The RAF PTI Historical Database
This is a project to digitise all records of PTI Graduates since 1920 and at the time of writing (August 2024) 10700 graduates records have been added to the Database.
RAF PTI Association 