Thanks to all! Cinders got it - and is in agreement with Adrian on the Victorian Rifleman Forum.
BTW, in my CCF they didn't let us get our paws on bayonets either. Which is why I was sceptical about the school solution. And when we made our annual "outing" the bolts were transported separately from the rifles. Which, on one occasion, left us in the Scottish Highlands without functioning rifles for a day or two!