“Service pupils are more likely to experience family separation, as their serving parent(s) can be deployed to remote or dangerous locations. This can affect pupils’ emotional wellbeing, and they may require additional support at school during these periods.” –Service Pupils in Schools: Non-statutory guidance
Delivered on behalf of the MOD, the Service Pupil Support programme ensures the needs of service pupils are met through effective interventions to support them along their educational pathway.
In this latest funding round, The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) awarded just over £2.5 million to 34 projects across the UK, dedicated to helping service pupils thrive. These initiatives are transforming the way schools support children from armed forces families by breaking down barriers to identifying additional needs, improving access to vital services, and empowering professionals through targeted development to ensure every service child has the chance to reach their full potential.
Russell Collier, Education Policy Team, MOD adds:
“We are delighted that so many education settings and local authorities, from across the UK, chose to apply to the Service Pupil Support Programme this year. It’s incredibly positive to see a large number of exciting projects being funded, all with the same ambition in mind, that is to support children from armed forces families to thrive in education.”
Empowering service children
Each project addresses at least one of the following outcomes:
- Closing the academic gap in attainment between service and non-service pupils.
- Addressing the needs for service pupils with SEN/D, ASN, ALN.
- Addressing the impact of the mobility/deployment and separation on service pupil education.
- Support where there are low numbers of service pupils.
The projects funded include a mix of emotional wellbeing support, including for those pupils transitioning between school; and creative initiatives that empower service pupils and give them a voice.
Building Belonging, Confidence and Connection
Seven Scotland-based projects received a share of the award, each designed to support a range of needs for service pupils and their families. These include a podcast project led by Angus Council to help service pupils share their lived experiences and build stronger social connections; motivational coaching and youth group support from CLLE Midlothian Council to help young people form supportive networks; and a home -school link worker in Moray Council, focused on developing emotional literacy and providing a toolkit of regulation strategies to support transitions between schools.
Other projects in Scotland focus on increasing resilience, building on self-esteem, and delivering targeted one-to-one support for those with the greatest level of need.
Spelling out success
Tailored provision for pupils with speech, language and communication needs will aim to address academic attainment, helping pupils to be ready to succeed.
At Rushall CE Primary School, the SpellForce project will deliver a comprehensive programme to address spelling gaps among service pupils. The school will deliver specialised training to help teachers plan, deliver, and assess an evidence-based spelling programme.
Headteacher, Lucy Turner, explains:
“Our project SpellForce aims to close spelling attainment gaps among service pupils through targeted spelling teaching. The project will combine specialised training of teachers and support staff in the planning, delivery and assessment of a rigorous spelling programme. Outcomes will include measurable, data-led improvements in spelling proficiency amongst our service pupils from Y2 to Y6 and sustainable implementation of effective teaching strategies. We are excited to get started at the beginning of September 2025!”
Support the few and the many
While some areas of the UK have large numbers of service pupils on roll – think Salisbury Plain, Catterick Garrison, Yeovil to name a few – other areas are supporting smaller cohorts of service pupils. Many of whom will still be experiencing the same challenges of mobility, separation and everything that comes with it, but without the usual military support network.
In Wales, Haverfordwest High VC School will bring in a Service Children’s Mentor to track the academic progress of service children, evaluate the impact of interventions and support schools in their cluster with smaller number of service pupil on roll.
Reg White, Team Leader said:
“Haverfordwest High is proud to be the only secondary school in Wales to achieve the Gold Award for our commitment to supporting service pupils.
“With a high number of service children in our care, we are uniquely positioned to develop and lead initiatives that could benefit service children not only across Wales but potentially nationwide.
“This project will enable us to focus on measuring the academic progress of service pupils and evaluating the impact of key interventions, while also supporting schools within the cluster that have smaller cohorts of service children.”
Building real lasting support
These latest awards have a strong focus on improving service pupils’ mental health and helping them to build a strong sense of identity. The projects take a whole-child approach, incorporating academic attainment, social inclusion and emotional development.
Anna Wright, CEO, Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust concludes:
“Service children bring resilience, adaptability and a unique perspective to their schools, but they also face challenges that too often go unseen.
“We’re proud to award projects that are breaking down barriers and creating lasting support opportunities for armed forces families and we’re excited to see the difference this work will continue to make across the UK.”
