Greenwich Hospital has awarded a grant of £76,600 to the Armed Forces Education Trust (The Trust), providing vital support to schools with a high proportion of children of Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel. The funding will enhance educational opportunities and wellbeing for Service children, ensuring they do not miss out on learning and development opportunities, especially where their education is at risk of being impacted by parental service.
For over 150 years, the Trust has supported Service children whose education has been disrupted by factors such as frequent moves, parental deployment, separation, gaps in learning, or additional educational needs. By offering grants to schools and individuals, the Trust helps children overcome barriers to learning and development, ensuring no child misses out.
The funding reflects a new partnership between Greenwich Hospital and the Trust. This year, the Trust received 30 applications from schools seeking support, with 21 approved by its Board. Of these, 4 schools had particularly high numbers of Royal Navy and Royal Marines children, and Greenwich Hospital stepped in to provide targeted funding through the Trust to meet their needs. This has enabled the Trust to widen its support to other schools with Service children.
Schools supported through this grant are:
- Parc Eglos Primary School, Helston, Cornwall
Project: Growing Stronger Together; a full-day adventure programme with structured challenges for Key Stage 2 and indoor activities for younger pupils.
Impact: Develops resilience, teamwork, problem-solving, confidence, wellbeing, and a sense of community. Outcomes will be measured through pupil voice and staff observations.
- Widewell Primary School, Plymouth
Project: Outdoor learning enhancement – training for teaching assistants to lead activities specifically designed for Service children.
Impact: Promotes resilience, emotional wellbeing, social skills, self-esteem, sense of belonging, and engagement with nature. Progress will be measured through standardised tests, attendance data, and pre/post intervention surveys.
- John Logie Baird Primary School and Early Learning and Childcare Centre, Helensburgh
Project: Forget-Me-Not Room – a safe and welcoming environment for Service children to access art therapy, 1:1 support, and family use, with staff trained through the Little Troopers programme.
Impact: Supports emotional and mental wellbeing and academic improvement, measured via scoring and classroom observations.
- Helston Community College, Cornwall
Project: Operation Longya – employment of a Service Student Teacher to provide bespoke academic interventions for 43 Service children with Special Educational Needs.
Impact: Addresses knowledge gaps, builds confidence, reduces exclusions, improves attendance, and fosters a sense of belonging. Outcomes will be measured through academic assessments, attendance and behaviour records, pupil voice, and wellbeing surveys.
This grant demonstrates Greenwich Hospital’s ongoing commitment to supporting the educational and emotional needs of children from Royal Navy and Royal Marines Service families, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities to thrive.
Deirdre Mills, Director, Greenwich Hospital, said:
“We recognise and support the Armed Forces Education Trust in their vital work with Service children. This grant will help ensure that pupils from Royal Navy and Royal Marines families receive the targeted support, opportunities, and encouragement they deserve to thrive in both their learning and personal development.”
Charmian Hickman, Chief Executive Officer, Armed Forces Education Trust, said:
“These funds help our beneficiaries to provide tailored educational support, foster wellbeing, and help children build confidence and resilience despite the challenges of military life. Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, and this partnership helps make that possible.”
