Education for the Military - Summer Edition 2015 by Education for the Military Ltd

www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

SUMMER EDITION 2015

A GUIDE TO PAYING SCHOOL FEES The Independent Schools’ Bursars Association (ISBA) - PAGE 22

APPRENTICESHIPS Unlocking talent building skills - PAGE 40

UNIVERSITIES - PAGE 42

ADOPTION Serving personnel make ideal adoptive parents for vulnerable youngsters - PAGE 58 >> FEATURED: FIGHT THROUGH MAGAZINE - ISSUE ONE - COMING SOON - PAGES 10 & 11 <<

THE UK MILITARY SALES PROGRAMME.

THE MINI COOPER D 3-DOOR HATCH. MONTHLY RENTALS FROM £239 (PLUS INITIAL RENTAL* ). The International & Specialist Sales Division is the UK’s only dedicated sales department supplying MINIs to UK Military based in the UK. For a full range of benefits and to find out more, please contact our team. To find out more about the BMW Group UK Military programme call 020 7514 8616.

MINI GROUP

International and Specialist Sales Division 56 Park Lane, London W1K 1QB www.mini-ukforces.co.uk

Official Fuel Economy Figures for the MINI 3-door Hatch Range: Urban 31.0-72.4 mpg (9.1-3.9 l/100km). Extra Urban 54.3-91.1 mpg (5.2-3.1 l/100km). Combined 42.2-83.1 mpg (6.7-3.4 l/100km). CO2 Emissions 155-89 g/km. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions. MINI Group ISSD is a credit broker. *Plus initial rental £1,000. Price shown is for a 36 month Personal Contract Hire agreement for a MINI Cooper D 3-door Hatch with optional PEPPER Pack, with a contract mileage of 30,000 miles and excess mileage charge of 4.87p per mile. Applies to new vehicles ordered between 1 April and 30 June 2015 and registered by 30 September 2015 (subject to availability). Retail customers only. At the end of your agreement you must return the vehicle. Excess mileage, vehicle condition and other charges may be payable. Hire available subject to status to UK residents aged 18 or over. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. Terms and conditions apply. Offer may be varied, withdrawn or extended at any time. Hire provided by MINI Financial Services, a trading name of BMW Financial Services (GB) Limited, Bartley Way, Hook, Hampshire RG27 9UF. Park Lane Limited, trading as MINI Group ISSD, commonly introduce customers to BMW Financial Services, for which we may receive payment if you enter into an agreement with them. This introduction does not amount to independent financial advice.

Tettenhall College is a day and boarding school for girls and boys from ages 2-18 years.

A stunning historical setting with modern teaching and sporting facilities, currently undergoing a ÂŁ3 million investment programme. Outstanding academic performance and exam results with pupils gaining top university places including Oxford, UCL, LSE, Bath and Queen Marys. Exceptional pastoral care, pupils enjoy excellent spiritual, moral, social and cultural development within a genuine family atmosphere.

Telephone 01902 751119 â&#x20AC;˘ Email admissions@tettcoll.co.uk www.tettenhallcollege.co.uk

>Contents FEATURES 06

> WWTW

> MoD

Small class sizes

> FIGHT THROUGH LAUNCH

Excellent academic results

> BOARDING SCHOOLS

> SINGLE-SEX EDUCATION

> FAITH SCHOOLS

> SEN

> APPRENTICESHIPS

> UNIVERSITIES

> ACCOUNTS & BUSINESS

> ELCAS

> RECRUITMENT

> ADOPTION Written By: SSAFA

> LEGAL Written By: Harris Fowler

Rockport School DISCOUNTS

A Learning Adventure

FOR

HM FORCES

Individual pastoral care Preparation for 11+, Common Entrance and Sixth Form entry A-Levels from September 2015

Lt Col Stewart Hill’s Story

Junior Soldier’s take education in their stride

A Guide to paying school fees by the ISBA

Case Study: Kris Bhudoye

Preparing your C.V for Civvy Street

SPECIAL THANKS TO: MoD, WWTW, NSA, Touch Bionics, The Duke of York’s Royal Military School, St George’s School, ISBA, Knighton House School, The RSH Trust, Huggable Heroes, CReSTeD, Milltech, UDOL, Whittaker & Co, Kris Bhudoye, SSAFA, Harris Fowler, The RN & RM Children’s Fund, Kip McGrath & all advertisers. IMAGES BY: professionalimages, SSAFA (Front Cover) & thanks to all other image contributors. PUBLISHED BY: © Education for the Military Ltd FOLLOW US: @educationmat @fighthroughmag

CONTACT US: ADDRESS: Education for the Military Ltd, 119i North East Business & Innovation Centre, Wearfield, Sunderland, SR5 2TA TELEPHONE: 0191 516 61 61

INDEPENDENT CO-EDUCATIONAL DAY & BOARDING SCHOOL, 3 - 18 Rockport School, Craigavad, Holywood, Co. Down, BT18 0DD

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EDITOR: Joanne Nattress, joanne@educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

DESIGN: Chris Swindells, chris@educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk © Education for the Military Ltd 2015. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any way without written permission from the publisher. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher and although every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate, the publishers take no responsibility for errors and omissions. No responsibility can be accepted by the publisher for any claims made by the advertisers in this publication.

Military resettlement courses Take the next step in your career after the military by becoming a personal trainer with Lifetime. Lifetime offers a range of courses for current and ex service personnel to study part time, full time or online, including our Advanced Personal Training Diploma and our unique Personal Training Diploma plus Special Populations course. All our courses are designed to equip you with everything you need to kick-start a career in the fitness industry. As an approved ELCAS training provider offering EXCLUSIVE discounts to service personnel, we really are in the best position to help you take the next step in your career.

For more information or to book a course get in touch with our course advisors

0333 0143 669

www.lifetimetraining.co.uk/military

> News

Lt Col Stewart Hill’s story >> Provided By: Walking with the Wounded

“

Whilst the funding Walking With The Wounded has provided me with for my training is amazing, their support is more than financial. They support me in all ways they can to fulfil my dream. ”

n 4th July 2009 whilst commanding B Company 2 MERCIAN in Afghanistan on the second day of Operation Panther’s Claw, Lt Col Stewart Hill suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).Stewart’s last memory of Afghanistan was watching a Chinook helicopter carry away his dead and injured soldiers. One of the soldiers had detonated an IED, killing him instantly and leaving a devastating effect. The same blast burst both of Stewart’s eardrums and shrapnel punctured into the back of his brain, stopping 1mm from his brain stem. Stewart suffered severe bruising on his right frontal lobe from where his brain was pressed into his skull. Traumatic brain injury (TBI), also known as intracranial injury, occurs when an external force traumatically injures the brain. Brain trauma can occur as a consequence of a focal impact upon the head, by a sudden acceleration or deceleration within the cranium or by a complex combination of both movement and sudden impact. Stewart has been left with impairments in the area of the brain responsible for ‘executive function’ skills such as organising, planning, problem solving and decision making. He struggles with information processing and has memory difficulties. Stewart feels that he has become the opposite, the antithesis of what he was: from commanding hundreds of soldiers to now having great difficulty managing himself.

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A couple of years ago Stewart began painting to help deal with his post injury depression. Painting provides a release for him, a therapy in which he feels alive and in 2013 Stewart decided it was time to follow this passion properly. Since then Walking With The Wounded has stepped in to support Stewart, funding a series of art courses for him to facilitate his desire to try to be the best artist he can possibly be. The funding from Walking With The Wounded’s First Steps programme will provide the foundation for his future independence. It will allow him to support himself financially, to help him to continue to rebuild his life and be proud of his new and independent identity. Stewart commented: “Whilst the funding Walking With The Wounded has provided me with for my training is amazing, their support is more than financial. They support me in all ways they can to fulfil my dream. “My trauma is not a life sentence though I shall carry my brain damage for life. I am wounded walking and couldn’t be happier to be part of the core team for Walking With The Wounded’s next expedition, The Walk Of Britain. I hope my journey will inspire Britain to help many others resolve their personal trauma and re-establish their lives. “I ask Britain to transform the lives of wounded veterans. “I ask Britain to help.”

> News

National “One by 2020” Campaign Challenging Every School to Employ an Apprentice Generates Immediate Impact >> Provided By: National School Apprenticeships’ (NSA)

ational School Apprenticeships’ (NSA) “One by 2020” campaign is going from strength to strength with hundreds of schools signing up to the scheme since the April launch. The “One by 2020” campaign, which launched at the beginning of the month, encourages every school in England to hire at least one apprentice by the year 2020. The scheme is rapidly gathering pace with over 300 schools having signed up in the past two weeks, joining the 3000 already registered. NSA are encouraging schools to register their interest in the programme before the end of June, creating a pathway for school leavers in July. Neil Gamewell, Director of NSA said: “The initial success of the campaign to date has demonstrated to us that there is a need for apprenticeships in schools across the nation. We are confident that every school in England can benefit from joining the programme, so we are determined to keep the message running until every school employs at least one apprentice”. Following the campaign launch, the company have been shortlisted in the Skills for Business Awards 2015 in the “Learning Provider of the Year” category. The awards will help spread the word of the campaign even further to encourage more schools to become a part of the “One by 2020” campaign. Magnus Church of England School, in Newark, Nottinghamshire, is a part of the “One by 2020” campaign, employing a Business Administration Apprentice. The apprentice is working on the

school reception and is also giving assistance to the rest of the team to gain knowledge of other areas of school administration, including Finance, Marketing and Human Resources. Whilst completing their apprenticeship, they have “progressed significantly and confidence has grown day by day”, according to the school. Participating schools are encouraged to include the “One by 2020” logo on their marketing materials, in turn showing their commitment to creating job opportunities for young people in the community. In response to schools that require more information about apprenticeships contribution to schools, NSA are offering free, twice weekly, live webinars. Topics covered in the webinars include: types of apprenticeships available, accessible funding, costs and help with the overall recruitment process. The webinars are designed to give schools the opportunity to determine how an apprentice would benefit their current staff workforce and also gives the opportunity for a live Q and A session for any additional questions.

“

The initial success of the campaign to date has demonstrated to us that there is a need for apprenticeships in schools across the nation. We are confident that every school in England can benefit from joining the programme...”

To join a free webinar, and to discover how an apprentice can benefit your school, please contact National School Apprenticeships by calling 0844 249 0722 or email info@schoolapprenticeships.co.uk or visit schoolapprenticeships.co.uk /one-by-2020

Never-ending support for our soldiers. Since 1944.

A grant towards a rent deposit can bring a soldier in from today’s ‘No Man’s Land’. Some former soldiers can have great difficulty securing a place to live. They may have a low credit score after years spent moving from place to place or struggle with affording property in a challenging housing market. Lack of funds can place the all-important rent deposit out of reach. Supporters like you enable us to give grants that literally open doors for these soldiers, giving them the deposit they need to get out of No Man’s Land. The impact of these grants was lifechanging for Jason in Perthshire. He served in the Royal Army Medical Corps until an injury led to a medical discharge. He now works two jobs to help make ends meet. He had nowhere to live and was staying with friends for a time. Now, thanks to a grant for a rent deposit from The Soldiers’ Charity, Jason has finally managed to secure his own flat.

ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is a registered charity in England and Wales (1146420) and Scotland (039189). Registered as a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales (07974609). Registered Office: Mountbarrow House 6-20 Elizabeth Street London SW1W 9RB Tel: 020 7901 8900 Email: fundraising@soldierscharity.org

> News

Junior Soldiers take education in their stride >> Provided By: MOD - Army Press Office North and East England

“

On graduation, 100 per cent of the Junior Soldiers had achieved Level One, while 86 per cent had gained a Level Two qualification. That’s the equivalent of a GCSE A*-C ”

ore than 1,000 teenagers every year march off to a bright future in the military after passing out from the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Many of the young people enter the college at Uniacke Barracks with few, if any, qualifications, having battled with the mainstream education system.

Many who gain even basic educational and vocational qualifications will go on to do further study, which will further enhance their career prospects.

The Army Foundation College (AFC) offers two intakes a year, in March and September, which means there are around 1,344 young people aged 16 to 18 being put through their paces during an academic year.

“Many of the teenagers have struggled with mainstream education and have left high school with few, if any, qualifications.

Both courses provide a unique combination of basic military and vocational training to the Junior Soldiers - with some gaining their first educational qualifications since leaving secondary school. The courses include a 42-week-long course that leads to Phase Two training in the Infantry, Royal Artillery and Royal Armoured Corps /Household Cavalry. There is also a shorter, 22-week course for Junior Soldiers from other cap badges, such as the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Royal Engineers, Royal Signals, Royal Army Medical Corps and Army Air Corps, who will then go on to receive more specialist technical training with their new units. But much of the AFC’s success lies not just in turning out young men and women who have promising careers ahead of them. It also has a proven track record in encouraging Junior Soldiers back to the classroom.

“It’s not just about giving the Junior Soldiers basic military training,” said the college’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Oz Lane.

“At the Army Foundation College they have an opportunity to get those qualifications and get enthused about learning. “And it works, as the latest statistics prove. Of those that started the 42-week-long course in March 2014, 67 per cent of the Junior Soldiers had Level One English or below. Level One is equivalent to a GCSE grade D-G. “On graduation, 100 per cent of the Junior Soldiers had achieved Level One, while 86 per cent had gained a Level Two qualification. That’s the equivalent of a GCSE A*-C. “We have also had a tremendous success rate with maths, with 62 per cent of the teenagers arriving with Level One or below. On graduation, 95 per cent achieved Level One and 68 per cent Level Two. “That achievement, alongside their military training, is simply immense,” Lt Col Lane added.

The Army Foundation College opened in 1998 and accommodates 1,344 Junior Soldiers, providing training for the Army’s many career paths. For more information log on to www.army.mod.uk/ training_education/24420.aspx

> Featured

Education for the Military Ltd is proud to announce the launch of our new magazine ‘Fight Through’ in July 2015

ight Through magazine is the fantastic new publication for our injured service personnel, and it will be looking at all injuries from PTSD through to physical disabilities. The publication’s vision is to provide entertainment, along with inspiring true stories, that will help soldiers currently in recovery; the magazine will highlight life beyond the injury, and positively focus on what you can achieve despite the circumstances you find yourself in. The first issue will be published mid July 2015 and we have features from Touch Bionics, Double amputee, Lance Corporal Corie Map’s true story of how he got involved with Bobsleigh, Combating PTSD features, Sight loss along with many more informative items to help you with the practicalities of living with a disability. The magazine will also have a “Sick Bay” section where entertaining stories from our readers of the crazy, funny and sometimes bizarre things they have done whilst on the sick, or a number of them with their prosthetic limbs. Editor Joanne Nattress said “We are very excited about this new publication, and have been overwhelmed with the positive response we have received so far. We have some great editorials and interviews with injured armed forces personnel, who have gone on to achieve many things after their rehabilitation. Some have returned to active duties, whilst others were medically discharged but all have inspirational stories to share”

>> Provided By: Joanne Nattress, Editor at Education for the Military Ltd

Joanne states “Sick Bay is proving to be very popular, and will provide entertainment for the reader, making the magazine a good read. One thing about military personnel is the amazing sense of humour they have, which helps them cope in difficult situations. We wanted to include this in the magazine, giving the reader a good laugh as well as inspiration for fighting through their current circumstances.”

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Fight through will be distributed through the RRU’s and hospitals, along with a distribution list of individuals who have requested copies along with different military charities. Education for the Military Ltd Managing Director Jamie Waite said: “Fight Through fits with our vision, to create interesting, entertaining and much needed information to help armed service families. As with all our publications it is free of charge to any serving member of the British Armed Forces, their families and of course veterans. We encourage the armed forces community to get involved, either by going onto our distribution list, or submitting a true story to Joanne” The Education for the Military Ltd Team would like to thank Walking with the Wounded, Royal British Legion, The Felix Fund, The Not Forgotten Association, Blind Veterans, Blesma and the many Military Guys who have submitted their story, for their support and provision of exciting informative features. We would also like to thank Nicky Smith from BFBS for promoting us on her recent radio Show. The features for the Summer 15 Launch issues are filling up fast, “Fight Through” will be distributed quarterly, and if you would like to share your story, then please do get in touch, also if you have an injury related funny story for sick bay send them in and we will include them in future editions. You can submit them to joanne@ educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk and to find out more information visit educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

FIGHT THROUGH MAGAZINE

FIGHT THROUGH

M A G

First ISSUE coming July 2015 For MORE Information contact

joanne@educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk @fighthroughmag

> Touch Bionics

Claudia Breidbach jumps with both hands Looking down at her new hand with a smile, Claudia Breidbach explains with pride, “The i-limb [ultra revolution] has changed my life.”

laudia is a gifted architect with an unusual hobby, especially for someone who was born with a dysmelia, a congenital deficiency that involves the absence of her left hand and forearm. Despite this challenge, Claudia courageously pursued and achieved her dream of becoming a licensed sky diver. Claudia is now in a great place in her life, but she had to overcome many challenges to get to this point. Until the end of 2010, Claudia used a cosmetic prosthesis and managed to live her life independently relying solely on her right hand. However, using only her right hand to achieve the tasks of daily life was difficult for Claudia. She experienced overuse pain from relying so much on her right side and although regular physical therapy helped to relieve the symptoms, it did not alleviate them permanently. In 2010, Claudia visited the OT fair in Leipzig Germany with her orthopaedic technician. Here she discovered Touch Bionics’ state-of-the-art i-limb hand. Claudia immediately started the fitting and insurance process for the i-limb. She was even actively involved in the insurance approval process, seeking out countless medical opinions from past and present clinicians to support her submission. Her dedication soon paid off. Finally, two hands! Adapting to a myoelectric prosthesis was challenging for Claudia, who had previously relied heavily on her dominant side. The different grips of the i-limb device are triggered by muscle contractions in the residual limb and until this point, Claudia had not realized she was capable of controlling these muscles. “That was quite an experience for me...when I first discovered the muscles in my forearm stump.” Upon this discovery,

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Claudia began exercising and strengthening the muscles in her residual limb to gain better control over her i-limb device. After a short period of time, Claudia learned to control the device with multiple muscle triggers, bringing about a new level of functionality. “Now I can put into practice things that, for me, were so far unimaginable. I now lead a life with two hands and I do things with both.” In 2013, Claudia upgraded to the i-limb ultra revolution, Touch Bionics’ latest generation myoelectric hand. The i-limb ultra revolution offers an automated thumb, 24 grip patterns and gestures, and a quick grip feature on the mobile app that allows wearers to program new grips on the go with their Apple mobile devices. Claudia reflects happily on the achievements she has made over the past year. She was deputy project manager for the redesign of Koblenz’s central square and also oversaw the construction of a cultural building in Koblenz. In the same year Claudia managed to bring her sky diving career to new heights by competing with team KARMA in the German National Skydiving Championship. Team KARMA is the world’s first inclusive 4 way skydive team, bringing together people with and without physical disabilities to form one unified group. My team represents in a perfect and unique way, inclusion for all. With our motto, ‘Connecting Worlds, Crossing Borders’ we want to encourage people to push boundaries and demonstrate what is possible when you believe in yourself. Claudia Breidbach To learn more about Claudia and her team, visit www.one-hand-skydiver.de or www.karmaskydive.com.

The next step: take back control of your life and gain confidence

•

instant access to 36 grip options

•

powered rotating thumb

•

confidence and reliable control for everyday tasks

www.touchbionics.com

> News

Walking With The Wounded’s Walk Of Britain expedition >> Provided By: Walking with the Wounded

Non-uniform day raises £1,260 for Nepal earthquake victims >> Provided By: The Duke of York’s Royal Military School

tudents at The Duke of York’s Royal Military School in Dover raised over £1,260 to support the victims of the earthquakes in Nepal after holding a charity non-uniform day.

ollowing our previous adventures in the extreme corners of the world, Walking With The Wounded felt it was time to bring their story, and the story of those they support, into the towns, roads and lanes of the UK. The public have been such a support to the military over the past few years and WWTW wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you. The Walk Of Britain will also help people understand more about the work Walking With The Wounded is doing - building the independence of our veterans so they can live fulfilling and secure lives outside the Armed Forces. As with everything at WWTW there is an element of challenge to this adventure, of barriers to overcome. So in August this year the Walk of Britain will see seven wounded veterans walk 1,000 miles through mainland UK engaging with local communities every day to highlight the extraordinary determination of wounded personnel and to raise awareness for the work that Walking With The Wounded (WWTW) is doing in the community to support the wounded back into independence through employment. Edward Parker, Co-founder and CEO of Walking With The Wounded commented:

“Walking over 1,000 miles is no mean feat. Yet again, we will be able to demonstrate that despite injuries these men and women look to their future with great determination and courage. We are also very excited about walking amongst the communities who have been so supportive of the military and Walking With The Wounded and we look forward to them coming out to support the team on their journey.” On their journey the team will be joined by other wounded colleagues for short stages to lend their support. We will also be joined by the wonderful Military Wives, ladies so close to the military, unstinting in their support for husbands, brothers, partners. The Scout Association is encouraging local groups to join the Walk as part of a wider plan we have with them whereby we are encouraging exservicemen and women to become adult volunteers in Scouting. The team hope that as they travel through the country, people will turn out and support them, and everyone will get behind them as they head towards their goal. Please do follow our Walk Of Britain expedition and help us to spread the word, raising awareness of and funds for our wounded. walkingwiththewounded. org.uk/walkofbritain2015/

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The boarding school is popular with service families posted around the world and there are more than 60 students from serving and non-serving Nepalese families who live and study there. Their families serve with many British Army regiments including the Royal Gurkha Rifles, the Royal Logistic Corps, the Royal Engineers, the Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment, the Royal Army Medical Corps and the Logistic Support Regiment. The whole school took part in a non-uniform day with each student encouraged to donate £2, while support staff and visitors to the school have also been invited to donate money to the Disasters Emergency Committee. Chris Russell, the school’s Executive Principal, said: “The students and their families have been upset to see the impact that the earthquakes have had on their homeland, and were keen to raise money to help with the relief effort. The school hopes to continue to offer support in the medium and long term as the Nepalese community works hard to recover from this natural disaster.” For more information, visit www.doyrms.com.

> Nursery Schools

Little Oaks Mud Kitchen

he Nursery at Boundary Oak School is housed in a secure and purposebuilt oak-framed building offering a homely feel with plenty of safe playing space, both inside and out. Set in 23 acres of beautiful Hampshire countryside, Boundary Oak School is a coeducational day and boarding school for pupils aged 2 – 13 years. Children here are treated as an individual within a family community. School life is a happy learning journey, which is achieved thanks to the friendly atmosphere and beautiful rural surroundings. To support their core curriculum learning, Boundary Oak Nursery near Fareham ensures that what the children learn indoors is enhanced and built upon outside. A short walk across to their own Woodland Classroom takes them on many adventures. It’s great for young explorers who love to recall what they have learnt while out and about, what they have found, and discuss what they have achieved. This outdoor learning environment is used throughout the week, come rain or shine. Forest Fridays are a big favourite among the children each week, where the children put on their wellies and head off to the woods for a variety of activities. Headmistress Mrs Kellett said: ‘Our extensive school grounds allow the children to be able to experience the great outdoors as part of their education and development. One of our aims is for each child to overcome whatever challenges they may face while helping them to grow to be happy, comfortable and confident individuals.’

‘Spending time in the great outdoors is also great for little ones communication skills. There are no predefined toys in the woods and so the children need to talk and explain to others about what they are doing or making. There are lots of budding magicians at Boundary Oak who love turning their sticks into wands!’ Outdoor Learning Days support all the areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage, or EYFS, not just physical development. Being 200 meters away from the main Nursery building, the school’s woodland area is close enough for children and staff to enjoy a short walk to, but far enough away for them to enjoy a quieter environment where they are able to listen out for sounds such as twigs snapping and the rustle of leaves. The children of Boundary Oak learn to interact with each other in a caring environment through play and learning based activities. Children from the Nursery and Reception Class follow the EYFS framework, which focuses on preparing each individual child for its future learning and successes. Recently launched, they now also relish in getting their hands dirty with their newly built outdoor mud kitchen. Research shows that playing in the mud can make you happier and our children are certainly proof of that! In addition to mud increasing the levels of serotonin in our brains it also allows young minds to create happy memories, connects one with nature as well as being beneficial to a child’s immune system. Back in the classroom, the Early Years staff at the Boundary Oak setting work together to provide a rich and stimulating learning environment. French and Sport are taught by specialist teachers and all of the Early Years children take part in sports day, school plays and sing-a-longs. The popular Nursery at Boundary Oak also benefits from an interactive white board as well as using the latest learning tools such

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as The Tapestry System. Learning Journals such as these, have grown in popularity over the years and offer early years settings a way of recording a child’s development, special moments and play with their friends. The staff here ensure each child is learning and developing at their own pace while following the child’s interests. Although structured learning plays a part in their day, the children dictate much of what goes on in the Nursery. Should your child wish to continue up the school, transition to the Reception class is smooth and non-stressful for each child. When the time comes they are happy, ready and excited to move up into ‘Big School’. PE and PSHE are taught together with the Reception class throughout the year with regular visits to the classroom as part of the summer term routine. Full-time children also enjoy a cooked lunch in the dining hall together with the rest of the school each day. As pupils grow through the school, they grow as people too. “We are proud of our academic record and the fantastic success that our pupil’s experience, but we are even prouder of the happy, confident and enthusiastic children who are the heartbeat of our school.” said Proprietor, Aaron Stewart.

Boundary Oak Nursery welcomes families to visit anytime to see the school in action or for a ‘Stay and Play’ taster session. For more information please contact Jo Ekin on 01329 280 955 or email registrar@boundaryoak.co.uk. Further information can also be found on their website www.boundaryoakschool.co.uk

What is state boarding? In what way can it offer a superior experience to a local day school? How can it deliver excellent quality at a lower cost than an independent boarding school?

ven most educational professionals are clueless about state boarding, a hidden gem in the country’s educational system. Believe it or not there are 35 state boarding schools spread in a footprint right across the country, and they house nearly 4,500 boarders, in most cases alongside a number of day school students from their local area. They include the Defence 6th form College at Welbeck, and institutions as diverse as Hockerill Anglo-European College in Essex with it’s focus on the International Baccalaureate; The Wellington Academy and Holyport School, both relatively recent off-shoots of high status independent schools; The Duke of York’s Royal Military School in Dover; or The Harefield Academy, where boarding in part provides students with an opportunity to attend an illustrious football academy. The simple premis of state boarding is that our parents pay for their child’s board and lodging while their day school education is state funded. This means that boarding fees tend to be around the £10,000 mark per year, whereas independent schools may be charging that amount per term.

Customer satisfaction surveys tend to produce results most businesses would kill for. In a recent independent poll in summer 2014, 93% of respondents said they would say their child was fairly happy or very happy in his or her boarding house. Given this relates to some relatively young students perhaps away from home for the first time, this is pretty remarkable. 95% of respondents said they would recommend their child’s state boarding school to other parents. This is not just down to the quality of care and the happy environment that we can create. Most parents of boarders said that a key driver in their choice was that boarding gave the opportunity for their child to access an excellent academic education which would not be available near the family home or posting. State boarding schools include some which are academically selective in intake; but also others which achieve in the top 10 schools in the UK in GCSE results in spite of having no selection whatsoever. State boarding schools are disproportionately likely to have top academic outcomes, as well as an extra curricular offer which reflects the fact that many students are on site 24/7. Finally, state boarding provides a rich experience in terms of developing confident young people able to deal with peers from all manner of backgrounds. The profile of boarders is diverse. Over the whole of the UK 75% of state boarders are permanent UK residents;

but the remainder will be UK passport holders or those with rights of residence who may be living from Spain to Hong Kong, to the near East, to literally the children of missionaries working somewhere up the Orinoco river. While some boarders come from affluent families, many do not; while some stay for the whole time, others spend weekends at home; and many have a much richer ethnic demographic than the communities they sit

in. We find this makes a huge difference to our students’ ability to function as confident young adults in University and beyond. If you’d like to find out more about the UK’s state boarding schools, a great start point is the SBSA website at SBSA.org.uk Good luck! >> Written By: P.Storrie, St George’s School

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Welcoming service families for over 100 years St George’s is a school where students pleaseseeour website: live in a cosy, traditional boarding house. canFor learn inmoreinformation an exceptional environment and St George’s School was OFSTED rated “Outstanding” in Sept 2014 and is based close to London and regional airports; just half an hour from ENQUIRE NOWABOUT ENTRY SEPTEMBER 2014 For St Pancras train IN station.

www.stgeorges.herts.sch.uk Member of SBSA – Termly Fees currently £3,650 For application forms and further information please email: boardingadmissions@stgeorges.herts.sch.uk or call 01582 716256 or visit our website: www.stgeorges.herts.sch.uk

> Boarding Schools

More about choosing a school

I >> WRITTEN BY: Colonel R A FieldSmith MBE MA Chairman, Royal School Hampstead Trust

want to develop some of the points in my previous article about choosing a school for your children. During those first discussions about a school you will need to consider what you can afford. Even if you are looking for a state day school there will be expenses such as travel, uniform, equipment (especially for sport or music), and excursions. Once you look at the private school option you will have fees, by far the largest part of the expense, which will be greater if you want a boarding school. Don’t forget that there are nearly 40 state boarding schools which only charge for the boarding element; further details are available from the State Boarding Schools Association – www. sbsa.org.uk . It will be sensible to see what you as a family can afford, not just now but over the next few years, making the best of that crystal ball! Next you should consider what help you can get with costs. While still serving you can apply for the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA), but make sure you understand what the rules are not only to claim it initially but also to retain it, especially if you decide to try to settle in one place. When looking at potential schools search for those which give discounts or bursaries to children of serving or retired military personnel (useful websites are www.serviceschools.co.uk and www. isbi.com ), and contact schools direct to check out their best offer. Obviously, you will look at other sources of funding, such as from family members, especially grandparents, and charities. It is really important that you are realistic and honest about what education costs and what you are prepared and able to pay. If at all possible you want to avoid having to remove your children from a school because you haven’t done your sums properly! Next, when considering schools, take a bit of time to consider your child’s holistic needs. Many

18 I Education for the Military I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

children have specific learning needs and some may have emotional issues due to challenging domestic arrangements such as separation and divorce. Work out what information you need from prospectuses or websites, and from visits. A quick web search will show long lists of questions available on various sites and these are a useful start. However, it will be better to think of the areas you want answers on and form your own questions. This will enable you to base your enquiries on your own situation and the nature of your children, for example their likes and dislikes, their strengths and concerns, and what you want for them. It is important that you are honest both with yourselves and schools about your children. Be sure to ask around amongst your friends and within your military contacts about schools they have chosen or are using for their children. You should also ask schools which you are considering whether they have any Services pupils. Keep talking and listening to your children, whatever their age, throughout the whole process. They will value the eventual choice of school more if they feel they have played their part. Clearly, if your children are going to attend the local school “in catchment” you haven’t had much if any choice! But there will still be your chance as a parent to influence the treatment your children receive, both through you being fully informed about the school, and raising questions and concerns as they arise.

If you think you have a case for help from a charity like ours don’t delay getting in touch. We may be able to help, or direct you to other organisations more appropriate for your needs.

New Junior Boarding House Opening in September 2015 ly i le k b x e e e la W d Fl vai an ng A di r a Bo

Registered Charity number: 307048

Farlington School is delighted to announce that it is opening a new Junior Boarding House, Fishponds, in September 2015. Fishponds Boarding House will be a self-contained house with a kitchen, living room and facilities for 12 Boarders ranging in age from 8 to 13. Farlington is an outstanding independent girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; day and boarding school located on the West Sussex/Surrey border, just outside Horsham. It provides an excellent all-round education for up to 400 girls aged 3-18 with a co-educational Nursery. If you would like to attend an open event or arrange a personal tour of the school to meet the Headmistress, please contact our Registrar on 01403 282 573 or visit our website:

www.farlingtonschool.net

Independent day and boarding school for girls aged 3 to 18 with a co-educational Nursery

Farlington School | Horsham | West Sussex | RH12 3PN

THE ART OF EDUCATION OPEN MORNINGS SENIOR SCHOOL SATURDAY 3 OCTOBER 2015 PREP SCHOOL SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER 2015 Visit Warminster School and discover how our teaching staff can inspire your child and nurture their natural gifts and talents 01985 210160 www.warminsterschool.org.uk

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13/04/2015 11:39

Gosfield School ESTABLISHED 1929

Independent co-educational day and boarding school for ages 4 -18

Year 7 to Year 11

GCSE 88% 5+ A*to C including Maths and English. Non-academic entry criteria with exceptional results.

Year 12 & Year 13

A level 100% pass rate. A dedicated sixth form centre, structured programmes and a diverse curriculum.

Boarding Year 7 to Year 13

A friendly, family atmosphere combined with a structured and well balanced routine.

Set in the beautiful rural Essex countryside, we welcome military families into our focused and supportive learning environment. Call: 01787 474040 Visit: gosfieldschool.org.uk Cut Hedge Park, Halstead Road, Gosfield, Essex CO9 1PF A not for profit charity. 100% of income is invested for the benefit of the pupils of the school. Registered Charity No: 310871.

> Boarding Schools

A Guide to Paying School Fees The Independent Schoolsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Bursars Association (ISBA)

FINDING THE FEES All independent schools charge fees, but they vary widely depending on the type of school and boarding requirements. Extras can add considerably to the bill (approximately 10 per cent), depending on which activities your child chooses to take part in â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for example, music tuition or school trips. Allowance should be made for expenses relating to books, entries for public examinations, stationery and uniforms.

Planning for school fees

It is important to prepare for the commitment of paying fees for several years, having in place a strategy that will enable the school fees to be met in the event of death, an illness or loss of income, and considering how fees need not be entirely dependent on earned income, so ensuring that a child will be able to complete their education. Planning strategies can significantly reduce the financial burden of school fees, so take professional advice. Planning can be covered under three headings: 1. spreading the cost of fees 2. invest in a lump sum, 3. setting up a regular savings scheme

Spreading the cost

Having embarked upon a private education many parents experience difficulties in funding school fees continuously from taxed income. There are a number of schemes available that are designed to help parents

22 I Education for the Military I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

with payment of school fees. The purpose of these plans is to improve cash flow and make school fees more affordable. This involves spreading an element of the school fees over a longer period of time. For example, a parent may be able to afford comfortably 70 per cent of the school fees from income; however, the additional amount may prove to be a strain on finances. In this instance, it may be possible to take out an equity draw-down plan to spread the school fees for the balance of 30 per cent over say a longer period

The lump sum

Early investment of capital can avoid the need to use income for providing for school fees in later years, or goa significant way towards reducing reliance on income. The need for tax efficiency and flexibility of approach can be tailored to individual requirements.

Regular saving

Regular saving for school fees should ideally be started as soon as possible. The longer that

Scholarships

you save, the less the impact there will be on income when school fees fall due – or, better still, consider some sort of life assurance policy. Income or capital sums derived from such policies are normally tax free.

Payment protection

It is important to ensure that the payment of children’s school fees can be continued in the event of a change in personal circumstances due to serious illness, injury or death. A lump sum can be provided by life insurance. Income protection plans can guarantee income through to retirement in the event of illness or accident.

Trust planning

Trust planning can be useful for grandparents who wish to make provisions for school fees and achieve Inheritance Tax benefits at the same time. Trusts offer the benefit of transferring the tax liability on future income and capital gains to the children to utilise their personal annual allowances. There are basically two types of trust: one in which the children have a right to any income arising from the trust and also own the capital; the other where the distribution of capital and income is at the discretion of the trustees. Maintenance Trusts offer both of the above.

working towards providing a free or reducedfees place. RNCF may also provide grants if there is a shortfall in funding, and often works in conjunction with other charities. There are a number of other charities that will help families in need. Full details of financial help provided can be found via the Educational Trusts Forum at the Independent Schools Council (ISC).

Bursaries

A number of both boarding and day schools have bursaries, which are grants from the school to help parents pay fees. These are generally awarded after a ‘means test’ of family income, and are not dependent on examination performance.. Bursaries may be awarded in addition to a scholarship where financial need is demonstrated and the child would otherwise be unable to enter the school. To obtain a bursary, parents will usually be asked by the school’s bursar to fill in an application form, giving details of their financial circumstances, supported by documentary evidence and including capital assets. Any award will usually remain in force until the pupil has sat the next relevant public examination – an award made before GCSE will not necessarily continue into A-level. Most schools will review bursaries annually.

The Tri Services offer sixth-form scholarships to enable pupils to stay on at school until they enter Service training establishments. These scholarships are awarded for two years, after which acceptance is guaranteed, providing the appropriate qualifications are achieved and medical standards satisfied. Additionally, many senior schools and a few preparatory schools offer scholarships to attract talented pupils. A scholarship is awarded for academic promise or on the basis of special ability in a specialism or all-round merit; They are usually awarded, after a competitive examination and interview, and normally take no account of financial need. Academic scholarships are the most common, followed by scholarships for music, art, design and technology, and sport. Talented children are invited to compete in open scholarship examinations. The schools hold these exams the year before admission. Scholarships will usually be awarded at ages 11, 13 and 16, with pupils already at the school able to sit for awards at 13 and 16. Scholarships at the age of 16 for candidates already at the school are frequently awarded on the basis of GCSE results, with awards for new students being made as a result of an interview and report from the previous school, usually with the requirement to achieve certain grades at GCSE. Scholarships vary in value – they might be worth as little as 10 per cent. In general, schools now limit scholarships to a maximum of half the value of the school’s fees, any extra being awarded strictly subject to family need. You should find out from the school what scholarships are offered.

Other educational awards

Many schools also offer closed awards to children of members of the Armed Forces, The conditions of these educational awards can vary enormously. They are often described as fee concessions, reductions or discounts.

Grants

The Ministry of Defence, together with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and other government departments, gives grants to enable children, whose parents are working abroad or are subject to postings, to attend boarding schools in the UK. The MoD’s Continuity of Education Allowance is one of these. Charitable grant-making trusts are able to help in cases of genuine need. The Royal National Childrens’ Foundation (RNCF) helps children who have suffered tragedy or trauma at home or are at risk in some way. The RNCF enables these children to attend caring independent schools where they have a real chance of making a new start. It helps by

SUMMARY The Continuity of Education Allowance does much to assist the children of those serving in the Armed Forces to benefit from an independent school education, but for those who still find the prospect daunting it is hoped that the above has helped to explain the current concept of scholarships, bursaries and awards within the independent sector, and also how wide the range of choice now is. There are many options to consider and there is a great deal of financial help available. However, the most important thing is to make sure that the school you choose is right for your child. Find that school and then speak to them about fee assistance if the fees are outside your range. Many schools will go out of their way to help It can be a lengthy task, but potentially very worthwhile.

Educ Military Nov 13 - 180x124 - Oct 2013_Educ Military Nov 13 - 180x124 - Oct 2013 08/10/2013 12:21 Page 1

Sleepover?

One night, two nights................................................or every night.

Flexibility guaranteed - from just £45 per night. - full, weekly and flexi-boarding for girls aged 7-18 years - excellent accommodation and a wide range of extra-curricular activities - 10% discount for HM Forces’ families - less than 60 minutes from all major London airports - one mile from the M25 and 30 minutes by underground from Central London * Ofsted Boarding Inspection Report, 2011 - awarded ‘outstanding’

+44 (0)1923 725354 www.royalmasonic.herts.sch.uk

24 I Education for the Military I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

The Royal Masonic School for Girls Rickmansworth Hertfordshire WD3 4HF Registered Charity No. 276784

Enhancing the academic achievement, attitude and aspirations through sport

ith 23 acres of beautiful grounds Boundary Oak School, located near Fareham, is home to the ideal place for pupils to gain sporting success. Inter school Cross Country events, Rugby tournaments, Swimming Galas and soon to be triathlons are just some of the sporting activities that take place here. The Hampshire based prep school offers day and boarding for boys and girls up to 13 years. Boarding facilities are top class with their boarding house currently being renovated to provides a high standard of accommodation for our resident pupils. Work will be completed over the Easter holidays 2015. Last years cross country event proved to be a huge success for the independent prep school. Proprietor of the school, Aaron Stewart, was delighted with the turn out. “There were wonderful scenes at Boundary Oak as we welcomed 150 pupils from local schools to our Cross Country event. Many thanks to all the schools and pupils that participated and to the parents and grandparents that came to support.” The independent prep school ensure that takes children from age 2 to 13, have at least 8 hours of physical education and sport within their curriculum timetable each week. Organised events held throughout the year help to keep the children motivated and enthused. The school also has many visits from professional athletics who come and spend time working with the children to help them to work towards and achieve their goals. Not just in sport, but in life. Olympic medalists

Dan Robinson and Peter Waterfield are just some of the popular visitors that Boundary Oak has welcomed recently. Sport programmes’ play a major role in pupils academic performance, attitude and relationships. Head of Sport Joe Davis commented; “Sport enhances the academic achievement, attitude and aspirations of children, which is vital to their development and something we see in our pupils. By reaching outside the traditional educational roles we’re able to keep them engaged and enthused, thus aiding them in the classroom.” Elizabeth Thomas, 9 who ran in the Year 5 cross country race spoke fondly about the event: “We raced against 7 different schools, with three different races. There was a lot of shouting and cheering from all the children. “We had to run 2 laps, then through the woods, down the side and under the arch before running up the drive and doing another lap around the field. I’m really pleased I did it and made it to the end.” The Cross Country event, was been set up by Boundary Oak School to give children a chance to compete and have fun whilst getting fit. In doing so, it also enables schools to engage within the local community. Hazel Kellett, Headmistress said “With 23 acres of fields and woodland, our location is ideal for hosting such an event and we were keen to get other schools involved so that they can experience it too. The feedback has been fantastic and we will definitely be making this an annual addition to the sporting calendar. “It was great to have such a fantastic turn out to this as we do with our other events. The

pupils did extremely well as the courses were tough, but they were all determined to get to the end and everyone did. The headmistress and mathematician talked about what makes hosting these events so important. “All of the children, teachers and supporters, no matter what school they came from, got together and cheered on those children for whom sport is not something that they excel at. For every child crossing the finish line or getting to the end was a special moment. Their sense of achievement was palpable” she added.

The school welcome you to visit them any time where you can enjoy a tour of the school, including the boarding house, while finding out what else makes this school such a great place for children to live, learn and grow. For more information or if you have any questions please contact the school on 01329 280955 or email registrar@ boundaryoak.co.uk Boundary Oak School, off Wickham Road, Fareham, caters for girls and boys between 2 - 13 years old. It is set within 23 acres of rural countryside and includes a grade II listed building. Facilities include a swimming pool, football and rugby pitches, athletics track, a theatre and floodlit astro surface. www.boundaryoakschool.co.uk

> Single-sex Education

Girl Heaven -

an all-girls prep school >> Written By: Sarah Wicks – Headmistress of Knighton House School, Dorset.

nighton House School, in rural Dorset, has been described as ‘girl heaven’ but it’s not all about ponies, pianos and pink tutus. With its 30 acres of gardens and paddocks and with immediate access onto the rolling hills of North Dorset, it is the perfect setting in which to embrace an outdoors life-style and in their iconic uniform of red dungarees and the obligatory wellies, the girls are not worried about a bit of mud. Girls spend their free time clambering amongst the branches of the Greenwood or Spinney, building camps and dens or helping out with the animals. Ponies do feature strongly here: there are 14 of them boarding in our on-site stables, but you don’t need to have your own to

be able to ride, as they are all on working livery. When the ‘pony bell’ rings at 7.30 am, an enthusiastic team heads out to the fields with head collars in hand, whilst others skip off to let out the pygmy goats or to check the henhouse for eggs. Seniors will be heading for early morning music practice. Piano and flute are popular, but we also have keen cellists, brass-players and drummers; you can even learn the bagpipes. Founded 65 years ago by John and Peggy Booker with the vision of providing a ‘home away from home’, Knighton House is a school where children flourish in an atmosphere of security, encouragement, space and freedom. We believe in the power of hands-on experience, so

26 I Education for the Military I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

whether that is searching for newts in our environmental pond, observing the rise and fall of the River Stour on its floodplain, or picking apples in our orchard to press or make into crumble, the children’s learning is constantly enhanced by our environment. But what about academic standards, I hear you ask? I believe strongly in the saying that ‘it is not success that creates happiness but happiness that creates success’, and this is borne out by the school’s record of achievement at 13+ Common Entrance, with pupils going on to Marlborough College, Bryanston, Canford, Downe House, Sherborne Girls, Cheltenham Ladies’ College amongst other schools, many with academic, art, music or all-rounder scholarships. This year half of the Year 8

girls achieved scholarships and 100% of leavers won places to their first choice of senior school. Knighton House is a non-selective school and these results are achieved by a team of dedicated teachers who are all passionate about their subjects and who believe in the school ethos of nurturing talent, challenging the most able, supporting those who need extra help and, most of all, building confidence.

“

I believe strongly in the saying that ‘it is not success that creates happiness but happiness that creates success” >> Sarah Wicks – Headmistress of Knighton House School

It is this confidence building that is at the heart of all we do at Knighton House. From the youngest age children are encouraged to perform to their peers and parents in assemblies, concerts and productions. The supportive ethos of the school allows children to express their ideas and opinions, experiment and make mistakes, without the fear of ridicule. In this girls only environment, there are no preconceptions about what girls are good at or what they should enjoy: there are enthusiastic mathematicians, passionate scientists and computer whizzes, alongside talented writers, artists and musicians. In fact, many girls are all of the above! Our aim is to open their minds to all possibilities and to cultivate in them the courage and independence to make the most of whatever gifts and opportunities life presents to them. The girls in the prep school are charmingly unselfconscious and you are as likely to find a Year 8 cartwheeling across the front lawn on a summer’s day as a Year 3. However, they are also fiercely competitive, as demonstrated on the hockey pitch, and if you want to see bravery, determination and skill in action watch a 10 year old steer a galloping pony around a show jumping course! And if you love ballet, cooking and fashion design? Well, you can do all those things too.

Inspectors recognise that ‘the school’s caring environment is a major strength; pupils feel valued and know that their independence is fostered’. Central to this is the boarding experience and, whether they are full boarders, weekly or flexi, the girls relish the fun of being with their friends as part of a warm and supportive community. For me, one of the most rewarding times is when Saturday morning school is finished, afternoon matches are over and my husband and I become the parents of a close-knit (if rather large) ‘family’ of full-boarders. There is a change of pace from the hectic round of lessons and activities which fill the week and this is a time we can all relax together and share experiences such as campfires, stargazing and wildlife watching. Taking full advantage of our location with scavenger hunts in the local woods, a tramp to the nearest hillfort or a trip to the Jurassic Coast, as well as activities such as ice-skating or trampolining, makes Sundays busy, but there is always time to write a letter home, Skype your parents and play. When the Bookers opened their school in 1950, the world was a different place and expectations for girls have changed, but the principles of scholarship, responsibility and sensitivity to the needs of others which they established are still at the core of our ambitions for our pupils. We want them to embrace the world of the 21st century but with character strengthened by traditional values; we prepare them for the challenges of that world whilst keeping them protected from the pressures of it for as long as possible; we allow them to enjoy being girls whilst they can, because all too soon they will be young women.

> Faith Schools: Worth School

Faith and Boarding

W >> WRITTEN BY: Giles Watson, Housemaster at Worth School and former Army Officer

hen General Sir Michael Walker was CGS he used the sound bite “the Army does not have a right to be different, but it does have a need to be different”. This applies across the Armed Forces and across the whole spectrum of military life, including families. Having served as an Infantry officer for 16 years before leaving the Army and retraining as a history teacher, I remember well the uncertainty that accompanies Service family life, the emotions that were very much a part of the posting ritual – especially when being posted abroad – and the fear that accompanied departure on an operational tour. My eldest child was very young when I went to Iraq in 2003/4, but I still remember the emotions that I felt and I know I was not alone in those feelings. Regardless of all those aspects of life which sets the Forces apart, the one enduring characteristic is the desire of all parents to do the very best they can for their children. A boarding school environment offers greater stability; enduring friendships can be formed over many years – far longer than the average posting, education is not disrupted and, for the most part, the staff remain the same. While faith-based schools offer this, just as other boarding schools do, I would argue that there is an additional and very significant aspect. “Greater love hath no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends” is a favourite text for Service chaplains and is used to help provide a point of reference as individuals prepare for operations. In much the same way Christ’s commandment to his disciples to “love one another as I have loved you” provides a foundation for faith-based schools on which to build their care. Having completed my teacher training and ‘cut my teeth’ in the classroom I am now in my fourth year at Worth as a housemaster. The School was

28 I Education for the Military I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

founded by the monastic community of Worth Abbey and is built on a Catholic Benedictine tradition. The ethos of the School is rooted in the Rule of St Benedict, which reads much like a military leadership publication (although the language is a little less clipped!). We are governed by the same regulatory standards as other schools but, just as the Armed Forces create teams bound by a very special bond which few outside can understand, I believe that the care schools such as Worth are able to provide, based on Christ’s commandment, goes far beyond those standards. The values that are accepted as making Service life different are very much apparent in schools like Worth. Values such as ‘Community’, ‘Service’ and ‘Humility’ are at the forefront and generate an atmosphere in which the needs of the individual are understood in a deeper and more personal way. Many of the boys and girls who board at Worth live overseas and while we, as housemasters and housemistresses, seek to get to know those in our care we also strive to create a home from home in which each individual feels valued for who they are and what they are able to contribute. While the boarding house can never replace the family, it can be a worthy substitute during term time which provides the stability, comfort and reassurance needed to allow boys and girls to grow into young men and women. The Services are successful because they are different. In the same way faith-based schools, such as Worth, are different because they have a strand of selflessness and love for others running through them that is difficult to truly build in any other context.

www.worthschool.co.uk

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE & OUTSTANDING PASTORAL CARE

OPEN DAYS

2015 19TH SEPT 3RD OCT 21ST NOV

CATHOLIC BENEDICTINE 11– 18 CO-EDUCATIONAL BOARDING & DAY SCHOOL IN THE HEART OF SUSSEX

www.worthschool.co.uk

> Faith Schools

Faith-based schools >> Written by: Revd Elizabeth Moore-Bick, Chaplain of Salisbury Cathedral School

>> Reverend Elizabeth, School Chaplain with pupils

>> Reverend Elizabeth, School Chaplain with pupils (Main Image) >> Salisbury Cathedral School (Insert Image)

he importance of choosing a school with a deep-rooted, spiritual foundation can be even stronger for service families. When uncertainty and unpredictability are a part of normal everyday life and children are dealing with the complex emotions associated with postings and absence for operational tours, it becomes vital to their parents to select a school that provides a stable, understanding and, ultimately, loving ‘second family’. These characteristics are often strongest in schools where faith plays a central role. Salisbury Cathedral School is a coeducational, boarding and day, prep school for children aged between 3 and 13 years old situated in 27 acres on the south east side of Salisbury’s Cathedral

30 I Education for the Military I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

Close. The beautiful environment offers extensive outdoor grounds including a swimming pool and stunning views of the cathedral spire. It could be tempting to think that its primary asset is its location. Not so! Whilst its location is undoubtedly superb, its greatest strength is the warm, friendly, happy atmosphere, which is attested to by staff, pupils and visitors alike, due in no small measure to the Christian ethos which pervades school life. A relatively small school (about 200 pupils), it means that everyone gets to know each other. Every week on a Friday the whole school – including the PrePrep – worships together in the cathedral. On other weekdays, worship takes place in the school chapel and is led by either the chaplain or one of a group of regular visitors.

For any who might struggle at times, there are many people on hand to help, from the school nurses, learning support staff and other members of staff through to the chaplain. The warm, family atmosphere extends to the boarding house, which is located within The Close, but some distance from the school site, giving a sense of leaving school and ‘going home.’ There’s a real sense of individuality being respected and allowed to flourish in what is at the same time a cohesive community. A regular routine with a strong sense of consistency means that the boarders – like the rest of the pupils at school – are busy, happy and fulfilled. Through worship, prayer and reflection, the Christian values of respect, compassion, service and generosity are deeply embedded in the life of Salisbury Cathedral School. This generates an atmosphere where the needs of each individual child are

valued and understood in a deeper and more personal way. Without being either forceful or exclusive, the Christian bedrock of the community shapes us in a caring, loving, cohesive fashion, resulting in a very warm and welcoming school, where everyone can find their place and flourish.

le ry ab ta ail ili av M ts n ou sc di

Nurture not pressure

>> Assemblies in Salisbury Cathedral (Above Image)

• Girls and boys from 3 – 13 years • Outstanding pastoral care • Unpressurised environment • Christian ethos of support and love • Small, caring boarding community providing flexibility when families need it Come and visit us to experience our warm environment and beautiful setting within Salisbury’s historic Cathedral Close. Our Head Master would be delighted to show you around.

01722 555305 headsec@salisburycathedralschool.com www.salisburycathedralschool.com

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News from The Duke of York’s Royal Military School

he Duke of York’s Royal Military School is a unique and iconic school situated in Dover, Kent. We are a busy boarding school, with plenty of exciting things taking place each term which make us very different to any other school. Students choose us for a quality education at a very good price. If you qualify for CEA, you will only pay £1,182 per year. For anyone else, our fees are just £11,820 per annum – because parents only pay for the boarding (the education is paid for by the state). In the Spring Term, our students enjoyed a visit from Olympic Hockey player, Georgie Twigg. Our Year 11 and Sixth Form students enjoyed a careers fair with a difference, as all the exhibits were manned by alumni of the School. We have raised money for charity, embarked on Adventurous Training on Dartmoor and even managed to attend the Global Model United Nations Conference in Berlin.

>> Careers Fair

>> Students at the Careers Fair are shown how to use a cuffed endotracheal tube

Dukies enjoyed a Careers Fair with a difference last term – all the exhibits were manned by alumni of the school. Year 10-13 students had the opportunity to talk to Old Dukies about career and higher education choices. A host of hands-on exhibits included physio anatomic models and exercises; how to use a cuffed endotracheal tube used in tracheal intubation; and how to take a person’s blood pressure. Technical activities included programming a model aircraft, analysing aircraft engine diagrams and finding out about WW2 military intelligence techniques – some still in use today. Subjects covered included healthcare, engineering, professional services, military, environmental management and design. Kirk Hirons, from GE Aviation said: “It has been really rewarding to come back to DOYRMS and offer Dukies work experience opportunities.”

>> Visit by Georgie Twigg World class hockey player Georgie Twigg visited the School to meet its sports teams and demonstrate her internationally acclaimed skills. After a tour of the School, Georgie held coaching sessions for the girls’ hockey teams. Georgie gained her first international cap for the England senior team in 2010. Since then she has been named England Hockey’s Young Performance Player of the Year for four consecutive years. Georgie’s biggest achievement to date is winning a Bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games; she also took part in the Olympic Torch Relay.

>> England’s Georgie Twigg with The Duke of York’s Royal Military School Senior Girls’ Hockey Team

Chris Russell, Executive Principal, said: “Georgie proved to be a great inspiration to our hockey squads, especially the coaching sessions when she demonstrated her exceptional skills.”

32 I Education for the Military I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

• CHARACTER • PRIDE • SELF-DISCIPLINE SPIRITUALITY • SPORTSMANSHIP • RESPECT

LEADERSHIP

>> Adventure Training Adventure Training provides life skills vital in our ever changing and challenging world. Having the courage, confidence, teamwork skills, integrity and communication skills learned on adventurous activities provide our students with the edge to stand out from the crowd and to succeed and overcome life’s challenges. 91 Dukies and 23 staff went to Dartmoor for a week’s Adventure Training this year. Everyone took part in challenges including mountain biking, indoor climbing, abseiling off the 175ft high Bickleigh viaduct, gorge walking in the River Tavy, kayaking, sailing, wind surfing and raft building.

>> Shadowing World Politics On Wednesday 7 January, five students embarked on the School’s first GLOMUN trip to Berlin. This trip was a Model United Nations conference where students worked in pairs to represent South Africa, Jordan and Turkey. Their challenge was to ‘Improve the situations of refugees and reduce refugee migration in a globalised world’. Overall, over 500 delegates from a variety of schools from seven different countries participated.

Full and weekly boarding from September 2015 The Duke of York’s Royal Military School is a state boarding school for students aged 11 to 18. We welcome applications from any student who wants to study GCSEs and A Levels at our unique and iconic school with its strong traditions.

Why choose us?

• Graded Good in all areas by Ofsted. GCSE success rate is significantly higher than the • Our national average. student is encouraged to achieve their potential in a • Every supportive community. • Military ethos helps develop character and life skills. • Active lifestyle including sport, music, drama and activities. million refurbishment has delivered a new sports • £24.9 centre, high-quality accommodation and teaching blocks and a performing arts centre.

have the flexibility of full and weekly boarding from • Students September 2015. 2015/16 fees are just £11,820* per year. If you qualify for CEA, you will only pay £1,182 per year.

>> Red Nose Day Students and staff took part in cake decorating, fancy dress and the design a funny face competition raising more than £650 for Comic Relief.

Open Morning: 10 October 2015 Contact us to book a place or to arrange a personal tour and interview

Enquiries: 01304 245073 admin.office@doyrms.com

www.doyrms.com Follow Us: @educationmat I Education for the Military I 33

BOARDING AND DAY, BOYS AND GIRLS, AGED 3-18

EQUIPPED FOR LIFE A Mount Kelly education combines academic excellence and exceptional pastoral care with an outstanding range of learning opportunities beyond the classroom, many on nearby Dartmoor National Park. Mount Kelly’s Combined Cadet Force Programme is an integral part of the school curriculum, delivering personal development skills and abilities across a range of disciplines. Mastering these life skills plays a key role in our pupils’ academic and co-curricular success. For more information about Mount Kelly including the School’s CCF and Forces Families Programmes and full range of scholarships and discounts please contact Vanessa Bowles, Director of Admissions at admissions@mountkelly.com or 01822 813193

Mount Kelly Parkwood Road Tavistock PL19 0HZ www.mountkelly.com

Whitgift. One of Britain’s finest independent day and boarding schools for boys aged 10-18

CCF n

Founded in 1874, with elements of all three services – Army, RAF and Royal Navy

Recent Annual General Inspections conducted by distinguished Old Whitgiftians include General Sir Peter Wall, Chief of the General Staff, and Brigadier Neil Sexton, Deputy Commander Joint Helicopter Command

Regular trips, including adventure training and helicopter-flying

Boys frequently gain Services Scholarships

Corps of Drums n

Celebrated its 110th anniversary this year

Performances at high-profile events, including the British Military Tournament in Earls Court, to H.M. The Queen, the Holborn Remembrance Parade, and Army-Navy rugby match at Twickenham

As a student-run organisation, its motto is ‘By the boys, for the boys’

‘Whitgift CCF is fantastic...an outstanding CCF setting a benchmark for others to follow’ Old Whitgiftian, General Sir Peter Wall KCB, CBE, Chief of the General Staff (retired)

OPEN MORNING | SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2015 OPEN EVENING | TUESDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2015 SIXTH FORM AND BOARDING | BY APPOINTMENT Further information on visiting Whitgift can be found at www.whitgift.co.uk/opendays admissions@whitgift.co.uk +44 (0)20 8633 9935 Haling Park, South Croydon, CR2 6YT, United Kingdom

> Feature

Huggable Heroes help to Reinforce Bonds and Reduce Separation Anxiety in our brave children >> Provided By: Jo & Julia, Huggable Heroes

“

Huggable Heroes give the most amazing cuddles, they have already helped so many children with a parent working away, living away or passed away.”

ere is a little bit about why I started making Huggable Heroes. I am married to a serving Royal Marine and a Mummy to our 2 beautiful children, Charlotte 3 and Henry 1. When my husband is away with work commitments my children understandably struggle. In the past I discussed with a friend about the possibility of them having a cuddly daddy to help them through the more difficult days. They are too young to understand that going away is just part of their daddy’s job. As a result I came up with ‘Huggable Heroes’. This consists of a front and back photograph, which I print onto fabric and make into a cuddly daddy. Our Huggable Heroes help enormously. The children love their ‘Daddy Cuddles’, he goes everywhere with us so he doesn’t miss a thing. Daddy was with Charlotte on her first day at Pre School and enjoys swimming and Gymnastic classes. Henry enjoys cuddles and Play fighting with his Hero. When Daddy returns home it can be rather stressful, the children shy away from daddy, clinging to me. Now we have the Huggable Heroes the children take them to show daddy, helping to shorten the time it takes for them to reunite. Once I realised how much Huggable Heroes could help children with a parent/loved one working away I decided to offer them to all, not just military. We have now also helped children in hospital along autistic children. It is fantastic and I hope that Huggable Heroes will help more children in all different walks of life. I started to make the ‘Huggable Heroes’ initially for friends and then friends of friends and now I have a Facebook page and a twitter account, which I launched in January. The response has been amazing! Our Huggable Heroes have featured in 3 local newspapers as well as a National newspaper, we have our story in a Woman’s Magazine called ‘Pick Me Up’ and in the Autumn additions of Envoy

36 I Education for the Military I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

and Army & you Magazines, along with a feature on Forces TV and a interview on BFBS in the past couple of weeks. I have been approached by James, the producer of a successful play at the Edinburgh Fringe on the subject of army deployment through the eyes of a 10 year old girl. This play has now been adapted into a film called ‘A Fathers Promise’. James has written a ‘Huggable Hero’ in the film. It will feature in a scene where a little girl awakes from a bad dream and her ‘Huggable Hero’ is there to comfort her. ‘Huggable Heroes help to Reinforce Bonds and Reduce Separation Anxiety in our brave children’. Huggable Heroes give the most amazing cuddles, they have already helped so many children with a parent working away, living away or passed away. Continually giving your child a reminder of the amount of love and support as though they were there. We (my Mum, Julia and I) also make Huggable Heroes of Children for mummy/daddy to take with them for the very important cuddles. Each Huggable Hero is personalised with your very own photograph and lovingly handmade in England. We have had some truly amazing feedback from our customers, which is driving us to want to help so many more brave children who lend their parents to keep our country safe. We support 3 amazing Charities, Forces Support Charity, My Daddy is a Solider Adventures and Scotty’s Little Soldiers and we aim to raise more money for them in the coming months/years.

Email: Jo@HuggableHeroes.uk Website: www.HuggableHeroes.co.uk Facebook: facebook.com/HuggableHeroes

> Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Focus on Specific Learning Difficulties? >> Provided By: CReSTeD

he umbrella term “Specific Learning Difficulties” (SpLD) is used to cover a wide variety of difficulties. Many people use it synonymously with dyslexia (a difficulty with words), but it is now generally accepted that dyslexia is only one of a group of difficulties. Lesley Farrar from CReSTeD provides an update and advice on dealing with SpLDs. Every parent around the country will be very aware of the challenges facing children face in school. Whether to join the Drama group, the Chess Club or play on the Football Team can be heavy questions for a child. Sometimes parents find there are more difficult questions to face: • Why isn’t my child reading as well as other children? • Why does my child have difficulties in sport? The answer might be that a child is coping with a Specific Learning Difficulty – otherwise known as SpLDs. These include Dyslcalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyspraxia, Attention Deficit Disorder and Asperger Syndrome (see boxed copy for definitions).

CReSTeD is a charity set up to provide guidance and assurance to parents who are seeking a school for their child with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) – of these the main difficulty is dyslexia. CReSTeD works with support from several organisations: the British Dyslexia Association, Dyslexia Action, Dyslexia SpLD Trust and Helen Arkell Dyslxia Centre, and is the key reference point and a symbol of quality when seeking a school with SpLD provision. If your child is dyslexic, the continuity of education allowance is only available for schools approved by CReSTeD.

Which School Should I Choose? CReSTeD divides the levels of provision at schools into six broad categories labelled: Dyslexia Specialist Provision, Specialist Provision, Dyslexia Unit, Specialist Classes, Withdrawal System and Maintained Sector. These categories are not a hierarchical grading of the quality of provision - they are there because children have different needs, and the categories go some way towards matching the level of the pupil’s needs to the level of provision at the school. An

educational psychologist’s report should offer guidance as to the level of provision relevant to your child. The CReSTeD Register includes a checklist to help parents decide if a school can meet their child’s special educational needs, and a geographical index of schools. Published annually, CReSTed supply copies, free of charge to parents, local authorities, education psychologists and many others who have a role in helping parents to find the right school for their child. The Register is available direct from the CReSTeD Administrator in booklet form but it can also be downloaded as either an iBook (for viewing on an iPad) or as a pdf (viewable on numerous devices). Full information is also published on the website: www.crested.org.uk. CReSTeD was founded to help parents. It has had and will continue to have influence on the standards of provision for SpLD pupils. For more information about CReSTeD or for a copy of the Register, contact: Tel: 01691 655783 / 0845 601 5013 admin@crested.org.uk / crested.org.uk

Discover a fresh approach to learning... • Co-Educational for ages 9-19.

• Dedicated learning support centre.

• Small class sizes, 8.5 pupils average with 5 pupil average in 6th Form.

• Industry leading outdoor education programme.

• 50 years experience providing specialist support for Dyslexia and additional learning needs.

• Extensive range of activities.

• Tailor-made individual programmes in literacy and/or numeracy, using structured multi-sensory approach.

• Excellent A level pass rate. • Majority of students successfully gaining university places. • Excellent pastoral care.

Find us on...

To discover our approach to Dyslexia support and arrange a visit please contact us:

Call 01492 875 974 or visit stdavidscollege.co.uk St David’s College, Gloddaeth Hall, Llandudno LL30 1RD • Email: headmaster@stdavidscollege.co.uk

â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is more in you than you thinkâ&#x20AC;? Cobham Hall is a small mainstream Round Square all-girls boarding and day school in the UK with a CReSTeD accredited Learning Support Department

Discounts available for Services families Tel. 01474 823371 | www.cobhamhall.com

Apprenticeships Milltech subject areas are: Business Administration:

Working in an office environment requires organisational skills and the ability to multi-task and to communicate effectively. At the heart of every successful business is effective administration.

Motor Vehicle:

The UK motor industry is one of today’s most dynamic and interesting sectors of employment. It has become increasingly more sophisticated, with the use of advanced technology being used in modern motor vehicles.

illtech is the oldest established independent training organisation based in Sunderland with over 30 years experience in helping local people of all ages achieve nationally recognised qualifications and employment. Throughout the years Milltech have developed strong links with schools and companies, both large and small, throughout the North East, providing high quality work placements with reputable employers, where young people can gain practical experience within their chosen industry and existing staff can gain relevant qualifications. For new young people we accept applications where they choose to enter an apprenticeship. This is an alternative to staying on at school or going to college. The advantages are that they are gaining employment, arranged by Milltech and are being trained and paid at the same time. The apprentice will attend Milltech for training and also be assessed in the job role. They will be working in the real world, getting hands on

experience and learning at the same time. What’s more they will be gaining skills and qualifications that are recognised by employers, so an Apprenticeship is a great first step onto the career ladder. Throughout their training period a dedicated Milltech Training Officer will help and guide the learner through the qualification process. Their training with Milltech will continue until they have gained all of their qualifications, with the ultimate aim of progressing onto and completing an Advanced Apprenticeship. When they have achieved these qualifications their skills and experience will set them on the road to a bright future with rewards to match. They can move on to higher education at college or university if they choose. Adult training with Milltech will be for people already employed but who wish to gain other additional qualifications either in their current occupational area or to begin a new direction in their career. >>

40 I Education for the Military I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

Most of the work the learner will do can be divided into servicing and repair. Routine servicing involves carrying out checks to components. Repair work will involve you diagnosing faults and rectifying them.

Customer Service:

This is one of our most popular Apprenticeship areas, because the relationship between customer and provider/seller often defines how successful that business will be. Identifying and satisfying customer needs, handling sales enquiries either face to face or by telephone or email are taught on these courses in both classroom and actual employment situations.

Management/Team Leading:

The aim of this qualification is to contribute to the skills, knowledge and overall performance of managing and leading a team.

IT User Skills:

The aim of the programme is to contribute to the skills, knowledge and overall performance of IT in using skills learned to apply to work related situations.

Sales:

Tasks undertaken by Apprentices will vary depending on the level and sector in which they are employed. Tasks may include selling face-to-face or by telephone, processing sales orders, supporting customers in obtaining finance for purchases, generating and qualifying sales leads, meeting after sales needs, making presentations, supervising sales or telesales staff etc. Milltech are based in Central Sunderland within easy reach of all Metro and Bus routes and have progressed more than 6000 learners to achieve their qualification during our 30 years in business. We are an OFSTED Grade 2 ‘Good’ Training Provider and achieve up to 90% success rate for our learners for the current year.

For more information contact us:

Find us on:

Tel: 0191 510 0414 • Email: info@milltech-ltd.co.uk • Web: www.milltechtraining.co.uk

Advance your career in Environmental Health or Health & Safety Leeds Beckett University offers a variety of study options for those interested in developing a career in Environmental Health or Health and Safety. Our courses will suit all levels of ability and are flexible, with both part-time and full-time study options available. BSc (Hons) Environmental Health - accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, examine complex environmental health problems and understand how to formulate effective solutions.

MSc Environmental Health - accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, this course can provide a direct route into the profession for those who already hold an honours degree.

BSc (Hons) Safety, Health & Environmental Management - accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), and taught by leading experts in the industry, expand your knowledge of safety, health and environmental management and control.

Postgraduate Diploma/MSc Health & Safety – accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) as meeting the requirements for Graduate Membership, these courses provide the opportunity to learn from prominent Health and Safety experts about current health and safety issues, practice and research.

To find out more please visit www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk

> University of Derby Online Learning

How to use online learning as a platform to develop your career

hile working full-time it can be hard to gain qualifications you need to develop your career further, but online learning can offer the flexibility to do this. How can you use online learning to develop your career?

Online learning is a great way to progress your occupation because you can learn while on the job rather than taking a career break - which can enable you to progress further in a shorter space of time. While studying online you can implement what you learn at work and then play the findings back in your assessments.

Is it feasible to balance working full-time while studying online?

Certainly, you just have to be able to manage your time. It is essential to get the right balance of work, family, studying and time out in order to juggle everything at once. The majority of our students work full-time but enjoy the flexibility of online learning.

Is it a better option to put work on hold to study and then go back to it?

If this is feasible, but if you stop working while studying you cannot implement your learnings in a real working environment until you return to work. Also, financially, it may be difficult to stop working and pay for studying.

What courses does University of Derby Online Learning (UDOL) offer?

UDOL offers more than 40 different courses from Psychology to Environmental Health, to over 3,000 online distance learners, located all around the world. UDOL are also introducing Massive Open Online Course’s (MOOC) this summer, with the launch of two MOOC’s called ‘Bridging the Dementia Divide’ and ‘Digital Me: Managing Your Digital Self’ which open for enrolment on Monday June 8, 2015 and are a great way to get a taster for online learning for free. For more information, go to: www.derby.ac.uk/freeonlinecourses

>> Case Study Alison Nicole Sandeman, age 42.

Currently studying: MSc in Ergonomics.

Background:

“I initially studied at St. Mary’s University College and graduated in 1996 with a BA (QTS) Hons in Sports Science, Physical Education and Mathematics. Following a brief career (8 years) as a Mathematics and PE Teacher in secondary schools in South London, I was commissioned into the Royal Air Force in 2003 as a Personnel Training Officer.”

Current position:

“I am currently working in the Defence Centre for Training Support (DCTS) in RAF Halton, as the lead for the defence training capability project, trainer development and franchising. Defence has gone through a whole landscape change with respect to how we train our heads of training establishment, managers, supervisors, trainers/teachers/instructors and trainees. I head up the team that designed and delivered the new training solutions to defence that support this new requirement and franchise those same solutions where they can’t be delivered centrally. As part of the research that shaped the new trainer landscape within defence, it was established that there was a requirement for a more ‘blended’ approach to how we deliver training. Additionally I am a networking marketing professional and run a successful business. I also volunteer as a fully operational member of Search Dogs Buckinghamshire, part of Lowland Search and Rescue. Taking on the responsibility for studying in addition to having a very demanding job, a busy business and juggling volunteering - online learning seemed the most effective way to achieve this.”

42 I Education for the Military I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

How has this qualification helped your career?

“I am using what I learn in each module of my course in the specific context of training, assessment, coaching, mentoring and assurance, but it is also helping me to identify gaps in skills, resources and policy in a wider military context.”

Has the qualification helped you to develop your career?

“It is giving a better insight into a lot of the processes, procedures and ‘ways of thinking’ within the military, from an ergonomic slant.”

Future ambitions?

“I would like to study for a PhD, while working in the military and running my own company.”

What advice would you give to others considering studying for a degree online?

“The tutors and online advisors at the University of Derby Online Learning (UDOL) understand that studying in this way can be a steep learning curve for a lot of people but they are fabulous. I would urge anyone to do it, make the commitment, and take responsibility. The hardest journey starts with a single step.”

Can you describe your experience of online learning using just one word? “Empowering.”

READY TO FURTHER YOUR QUALIFICATIONS? Develop your skills and increase your employability with a recognised University qualification The University of Derby Online Learning is one of the UK’s leading providers of online distance learning. We provide structured and supported undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and short courses that can be studied part time online from anywhere in the world. Online learning offers you a flexible way of completing a University qualification while still serving in the military, equipping you with the practical skills and knowledge to further your career.

Ready to find out more?

Choose from a wide range of courses in subject areas including:

• • • • • • • • •

Accounting and Finance Business and Management Computing and IT Counselling and Cognitive Behaviour Environmental Sciences Health and Social Care Hospitality Management Professional Engineering Psychology and Ergonomics

Call: +44(0)1332 594000 or Email: OnlineAdmissions@derby.ac.uk Whether you’re starting out, moving up or starting again WE’RE READY WHEN YOU ARE

www.derby.ac.uk/military

Use your skills to give something back by training to teach at the University of Sunderland Pupils would benefit from the experience, background and skills that you have gained in the armed forces The skills and experiences you have gained during your time in the Armed Forces are invaluable, and our education system needs you to bring these to our schools. You could have the potential to become an outstanding teacher As a teacher, you can inspire the next generation and help them realise their ambitions Once you have qualified you can enjoy enviable job security and a generous pension. The average starting salary for newly qualified teachers in England is ÂŁ24,200 Subject areas: Maths, Science, English, Geography, Design and Technology, Business, Computer Science, Post-Compulsory Education and Training

For more information visit our website or talk to our friendly Admissions team: Tel: 0191 515 3845 Email: ell.enquiries@sunderland.ac.uk

www.sunderland.ac.uk

>> Case Study Name: Beverley Thorogood Employer: Ministry of Defence, Royal Air Force Position: Personal Learning Adviser Why did you choose to study on BA Business & Enterprise? The BABE programme offered a number of key benefits for me: the ability to gain accreditation of prior learning and experience and therefore to achieve the degree in under 12 months: the content focused on the practical application of learning that was totally relevant to the private, public and third sectors: the BABE programme offers very good value for money.

What were the 3 key things that you learnt? I realised that the skills and knowledge I’d gained throughout my life were greater than I’d given myself credit for. Reflective learning is a fantastic tool for developing emotional intelligence and can be quite humbling. Learning theoretical models is less effective than learning how to apply those models to real situations. As BABE is very strongly focused on workbased, real situations makes the learning more relevant.

How has your organisation benefitted from your studies?

The BABE programme has taught me to take a more strategic view of the organisation The Work Based Learning Project provides a clear plan of action, giving me motivation to keep going. I have been able to increase our customer base and offer a wider range of services. The business models and tools that I’ve been introduced to have ensured that I can evaluate and measure the success of a project and enabled me to align the project to the Station Commander’s strategic objectives. On a professional level, it has helped develop my leadership and management skills, enabling me to be a more confident manager.

What has been the impact on you personally in achieving a degree? When I completed a module and passed it I felt a profound sense of achievement. The biggest impact however is an increase in personal confidence. When I embarked on the programme I was filled with self-doubt but now I feel I can do anything!

What would you say to someone who was considering starting BA Business & Enterprise? To be absolutely certain that it is the right course for them. However, if looking for a business

and management related course providing the skills and knowledge to apply them in their workplace, is challenging but satisfying, I couldn’t suggest a better course than BABE. The support and feedback I’ve received from the University has been outstanding and having the monthly contact with the rest of the cohort has meant I never felt like I was doing this on my own.

If you had to sum up participation of BABE in one sentence – what would you say? BABE is a highly rewarding, well structured programme using blended learning to get the best out of its students.

NOW DELIVERED ACROSS THE UK BABE - Edinburgh Napier University’s Innovative one year top up degree Entry requirements for BA Business and Enterprise include the vocational qualifications that go with forces rank, Personnel of Chief Petty Officer, Staff Sergeant, Flight Sergeant equivalent and above are eligible for direct entry* • Students attend local monthly workshops • Registered for ELCs, balance payable over 6 months

More details at: http://www.courses.napier.ac.uk/ BusinessandEnterprise_OffCampus__W30015.htm Or email BABE administrator Suzanne Smith su.smith@napier.ac.uk * Personnel below this rank may still qualify and Military Civil Servants with 2 years’ management experience are also likely to be eligible, contact to check

> Bishop Burton College

People who leave the military leave with a wealth of skills and experiences that equip them well for civilian life

ut often, employers can’t always see the benefit of those skills. Sometimes, all it takes is a qualification to unlock doors into other exciting careers.

Bishop Burton College, based in East Yorkshire, offers a range of courses for those looking to get into public services. Offering everything from policing and criminology to uniformed public services and forensics, the College offers courses at both further education and degree level, so there’s a whole host of options available based on previous experience. Come and join us so you can: • Be an important part of a team • Get real job satisfaction • Serve the community • Develop observational skills • Take initiative • Remain calm in sometimes life threatening situations • Enjoy a huge variety of jobs • Accept discipline, give and receive orders • Work towards a range of respected professional qualifications • Use your creative problem solving skills to the full.

Over the last 10 years, Bishop Burton College has worked in partnership with many of the uniformed services to provide realistic hands-on experience for students as part of its public services offering. Equipping them for the pressured work environment of public services, students get firsthand experience of real-life scenarios, including working alongside Humberside Fire and Rescue at simulated crash scenes and learning how to work with dogs, as part of dog-handling master classes with the Police. Students who have studied public services at the College have gone on to work in a variety of different specialisms including traffic, the river police, mounted police, criminal investigation department, dog handling, underwater search units and firearm units – and that’s just within the Police! Build on your experiences with a course at Bishop Burton College.

For more information on the subjects offered, visit bishopburton.ac.uk. Make 2015 your year with Bishop Burton College

Looking for a career in

Public Services? Make use of your skills learned in the military Further Education

Degree Courses

1 Programme of study in * Level Uniformed Public Services 2 Programme of study in * Level Public Services 3 Programme of study in * Level Public Services Bishop Burton College | York Road | Beverley | HU17 8QG

46 I Education for the Military I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

Policing & Forensic * FdSc Investigation Policing & Criminology * FdA (Hons) Policing & * BA Criminology (Final year)

For more info call 0800 731 82 81

www.bishopburton.ac.uk

Nuclear Technology Education Consortium

LETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FOCUS ON THE FUTURE. AND YOUR PLACE IN IT. Register at the Universities of Liverpool, Manchester or Sheffield for the

Nuclear Science & Technology MSc, PG Diploma, PG Certificate & CPD Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re already working in the nuclear industry or looking to move into this rapidly growing sector, enhance your career prospects on a unique programme that will improve your personal and professional skills on a diverse range of reactor technology and decommissioning modules. Course available in taught and distance learning format. To discover more: Tel: 0161 275 4267, Email: info@ntec.ac.uk or visit www.ntec.ac.uk Course delivered by:

City University, London The Defence Academy Imperial College London Lancaster University The University of Birmingham The University of Leeds

www.ntec.ac.uk

University of Liverpool The University of Manchester The University of Sheffield University of Central Lancashire

> Universities: Bournemouth University

Enhancing your employability with university study

Why study? If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re thinking of progressing your career or resettling into civilian life, studying at university could be the key to opening up new opportunities. The latest figures from High Fliers Research suggests that 2015 will be the best year for graduate job vacancies in more than ten years, with leading employers expected to offer over 8% more graduate vacancies in 2015. This is good news, as starting salaries for graduates rose last year for the first time since 2009 and is expected to increase again in 2015, with the median average salary coming in at around ÂŁ30,000.

Why Bournemouth University? Bournemouth University is based on the south coast and is recognised as one of the most innovative universities in the UK; bringing together professional practice and academic excellence.

With 91.6% of our UK based graduates either in employment or further study within six months of graduation; we can help you take that next step on the career ladder.

>> Case Study

Offering a wide range of courses across Marketing & Communications, Business & Management, Engineering and Health & Social Care there is a variety of options to suit your interests.

Background:

We pride ourselves on providing industry relevant courses and as such many of our courses have work placement opportunities, providing practical, hands-on experience in your chosen industry. BU creates excellent industry links and has more students on a work placement than any other university in England, setting you up on your career path and enhancing your employment prospects with real work-place experience. The cost of study can be a concern but as an approved provider of Enhanced Learning Credit courses, the majority of course fees at Bournemouth University can be off-set for military personnel.

David Maw, BSc (Hons) Design Engineering

I have completed successful operational tours in an infantry role, where it was necessary to inspire and lead teams of soldiers in stressed, demanding, and hazardous conditions. I have always been keen to develop my potential as an engineer, and have taken every opportunity to gain knowledge and experience

The course:

I have broadened my engineering knowledge in areas that include engineering design, materials, manufacturing processes, production methods, and project management. My projects whilst on the course have included wind turbine blade design, tidal energy generation and composite vehicles.

Highlights included winning a Dyson design competition for innovation in 2010 and reaching the finals of the Undergraduate of the Year award in 2013. Placement experience:

To find out more about our courses, or to visit us at one of our Open Days visit www.bournemouth. ac.uk/armed-forces or for more information call +44 (0)1202 961916

48 I Education for the Military I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

My placement involved work as a commercial structural engineer using Autodesk and Solidworks Finite Element Analysis software to model, analyse and optimise structures.

The future:

Studying at BU has been a very exciting and stimulating experience, and I am looking forward to applying the knowledge in new

Degrees starting in September at Bournemouth University

Marketing & Communications BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism BA (Hons) Marketing Communications BA (Hons) Advertising BA (Hons) Public Relations BA (Hons) Politics

Engineering MEng Engineering FdEng Engineering BSc (Hons) Design Engineering BSc (Hons) Software Engineering

Business & Management BA (Hons) International Business & Management (online) BSc (Hons) Cyber Security Management BSc (Hons) Forensic Computing & Security

Health & Social Care BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing Dip HE Operating Department Practice

For more information call +44 (0)1202 961916 or visit us on an open day: www.bournemouth.ac.uk/armed-forces 6969

> Universities: Oxford Brookes

Wanting to pursue a career in I with the grounding of a relevant degree, Pete Flann chose to join Oxford Brookes when he left the Army. >> Pete Flann in his new job with Cambridgeshire based Jagex award winning computer games developer and publisher, the UK’s largest independent business in this field. If you study computing at Oxford Brookes, you will encounter state-of-the-art technologies - such as robotics and computer vision - and develop a wide range of cognitive, practical, analytical, creative and professional skills.

uring the six years that Pete served with the Royal Corps of Signals, his job ranged from providing satellite communications to outreach detachments and supporting troops on the ground, to providing regional headquarters with all their communication needs. He decided to leave the army to pursue the goal of attaining a degree, a goal which the army was unable to support. He was selected to join the Oxford University Offcer raining Corps which, Pete says, “enabled me to still do the bits of the army that I loved whilst being at university.”

Pete joined Brookes as a mature student to study for a degree in Computer Science and Network Computing, with a mixture of relevant experience and qualifications he had obtained whilst in trade training with the army. Of his time at Brookes Pete says, “The discipline and motivation that had been etched into me whilst serving in the Royal Signals and overseas operations enabled me to balance my course work, lectures and a part time job in IT for a small consultancy firm, giving me the experience and edge over other candidates when looking for a full-time job”, and that the firm he worked for was “really understanding and flexible around my studies.” Pete feels that the skills he has obtained at Brookes have prepared him for the commercial world of IT. The mix of practical and theory modules enabled him to gain a better understanding of how businesses work and how to implement IT projects. He is on course to graduate in the summer of 2015 and has recently secured a new job with Cambridgeshire based Jagex, a multi-

50 I Education for the Military I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

Computing, digital media and communication technologies are fast paced and exciting disciplines that thrive on innovation and have the potential to change the world. To be an effective practitioner in these areas requires the ability to stay up to date with rapidly changing technologies and have the competence to apply these technologies effectively. Our courses are specifically designed to enable you to become an agile adopter of new technologies and will equip you with the professional skills, techniques and ways of thinking needed to pursue a successful career. We place a strong emphasis on developing an inclusive learning and research community. We work to integrate our world-leading research with our teaching so that students become engaged with the leading edge of their discipline. Our new Cognitive Robotics Laboratory, for example, will enable students to apply what they are learning about programming to the control of sophisticated robots. Our courses, taught by leading academics with active research programmes, are designed to meet the needs of modern industry. Our graduates tell us that the relevance of our courses and the skills they’ve learnt enable them to achieve their goals and build their careers. In addition our location in Oxford places us at the heart of one of Europe’s biggest concentrations of high-tech businesses.

These are the computing and digital media courses we offer:

Computing foundation

This is a one-year full-time course which prepares you for undergraduate study.

Undergraduate degree courses • • • •

Computer Science BSc Computing for Robotic Systems BSc Digital Media Production BSc Information Technology Management for Business BSc • Network Computing BSc • Software Development for Business BSc

Postgraduate degree courses • Computing MSc/PGDip/PGCert • Computer Vision MSc/PGDip/PGCert • IT Systems Administration and Management MSc/PGDip/PGCert • Software Engineering MSc/PGDip/PGCert • Mobile and High Speed Telecommunication Networks MSc/PGDip/PGCert • Mobile and Wireless Communications MSc/PGDip/PGCert • eBusiness MSc • Digital Media Production MSc

>> Engineering students at Autosport 2014

All our taught postgraduate courses (except Digital Media Production) are now also offered as two-year programmes, to include a year-long work placement. If your interest tends more towards mechanical or automotive engineering or mathematics, we have a host of popular courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate level to tempt you. In all these programmes, which are developed in conjunction with industry, we aim to equip our students with the specialist knowledge and skills, experience of latest technology and specialist software packages and to develop as individuals so as to leave them in the best position to compete in the employment market. This is recognised by many employers, especially in Formula 1, who recruit a significant number of our graduates. Whether your passion is road cars, race cars, great engineering design, probabilistic concepts or algorithms, then studying one of our courses will help you to realise your ambitions. Our graduates enjoy excellent employment opportunities. Many go on to pursue successful careers with leading engineering and technology companies including major automotive and motorsport companies. Inherent in all our activity is the value we place on partnerships with business and industry, because it not only helps us to do better teaching and research and provide learning opportunities, such as student dissertations, but it also allows us to add value back into the economy. Teaching takes place in our purpose-built £9m facility which is well equipped and the envy of many local organisations. It creates an environment in which technical expertise is enhanced by creativity and imagination. This promotes a friendly, close knit community of staff and students with excellent student support staff and facilities close at hand.

>> Baxter and the Nao twins, research robots at Brookes

These are the engineering and mathematics courses we offer:

Engineering foundation:

This is a one-year full-time course which prepares you for undergraduate study.

Undergraduate degree courses • • • • • •

Automotive Engineering BEng/MEng Mathematical Sciences BSc Mathematics BSc Mechanical Engineering BEng/MEng/BSc Motorsport Engineering BEng/MEng Motorsport Technology BSc

Postgraduate degree courses • • • •

Automotive Engineering MSc Mechanical Engineering MSc Motorsport Engineering MSc Racing Engine Design MSc

New course We have just introduced a Postgraduate Certificate course in Data Visualisation and Modelling. This part-time course is designed primarily for mid-career professionals working in mathematical modelling and data analysis. It is also possible to study any of the three modules of this course on a stand-alone basis, as an associate student of the university. At Oxford Brookes we realise that not everyone has the opportunity or time to study full-time, especially if they need to work to support themselves and, maybe, a family as well. Pete says he has been able to “balance my course work, lectures and a part time job in IT ,giving me the experience and edge over other candidates when looking for a full-time job”. To find out how a degree from Oxford Brookes could make the difference to your future, visit tde.bz/mems-em for mechanical engineering and mathematics courses or tde.bz/cctem for computing and communications programmes. Follow Us: @educationmat I Education for the Military I 51

> Accounts & Business

Advice on working in the security industry after the forces

f you are considering a career in the Security Industry, below is some information that will hopefully keep you one step ahead of the taxman! Your tax will be your OWN responsibility; when you start work in the Security Industry most companies state that you have to deal with your own tax responsibilities, this means that you will have to submit a self-assessment tax return to HMRC every year before the deadline to avoid fines. If the outcome is that you owe any tax it will have to be paid to HMRC before the deadline to prevent interest & fines being added to your account. There are only a small number of companies that will take you on a PAYE basis, i.e. pay your PAYE tax & NIC.

“

If you receive any letters or bills from HMRC & you are unsure why then either contact them direct & ask for advice, or if you have an accountant call them.”

What if I don’t tell the taxman anything? That isn’t a wise decision, HMRC have investigation teams & if you are found to have not declared your income then you can receive large fines & possibly face legal action. Also if you have paid too much tax in the past you won’t get it back if you don’t do anything. Never ignore correspondence from HMRC; if you receive any letters or bills from HMRC & you are unsure why then either contact them direct & ask for advice, or if you have an accountant call them.

Common Mistakes made: • Listening to know it all’s, unfortunately we all know someone who thinks they know everything about tax, how to deal with the taxman but unless they are a tax advisor or accountant then ignore them!

NON-RESIDENCY - Working on Land Abroad, You MUST adhere to the following: • Be employed or carry on a trade/profession abroad • Work at least 35 hours per week • Have an employment contract for a minimum of 12 months • Complete ONE full tax year, 6th April to 5th April the following year • Spend NO more than 90 days in the UK in a full tax year, April to April. SEAFARERS EARNINGS DEDUCTIONS - Working at Sea, You MUST adhere to the following: • Spend at least 183 days out of the UK over a 12 month period • Be classed as employed • Visit at least ONE foreign port every tax year, for every employer. If you are NOT going to qualify for either Non residency or Seafarers Earnings Deductions (SED) tax reliefs or you are going to be working in the UK then you have the option of being a SoleTrader or a Limited Company.

Self-Employment

• NOT keeping receipts, travel documents & other important documentation.

• Being a sole trader involves personal financial risk & you must pay your debts if the business fails.

• Setting up an overseas bank account to keep your money safe, HMRC now have the powers to investigate these accounts.

• Setting up as a sole trader is quick, easy & involves no cost.

• Not saving money for a tax bill, you should always expect to have a tax bill. We generally advise that you put 20-30% of your income away to cover any potential tax bill.

Working abroad in the Security sector, you need to qualify to get the tax reliefs that are available which can then minimise your potential tax bills.

52 I Education for the Military I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

• You will be liable for tax, Class 2 & 4 NIC

Limited Company • Having a Limited Company means you will have to adhere to strict Company law legislation. • The accounts must be prepared under the Companies Act with financial statements & reports; this does make the accounting fees higher. • You will be liable for Corporation Tax on the net profit of the Company at the end of financial year

Whittaker & Co are specialists in Non Residency, Mariners Taxation etc. for Overseas and UK Security Operatives and also Ex-Forces working in Hostile Environments or even the Oil & Gas Industry etc. The company was started in 2006 by Anna Cooperwhite, who herself is ex forces. We specialise in providing accountancy services, tax returns, tax advice etc. and pride ourselves on understanding the needs of our clients which include • Non UK Residents • Maritime Security • Sole Traders • Partnerships • Limited Companies and Personal Tax Payers Within our team we have vast experience of dealing with the frustrations and concerns common to all businesses and individuals, we all share great enthusiasm to deliver a personal, high quality service to all our clients and each member of staff working for Whittaker & Co has a niche area of specialism. Our range of services and resources allows us to meet our clients’ needs quickly and efficiently which often exceeds their expectations. Whittaker & Co are not only the leading accountancy firm and preferred choice on the market for ex-forces going into the security industry but we also have a first class team to assist you with any matter when working for yourself, whether it is creating a business plan, helping you with basic bookkeeping, payroll, VAT etc., we will advise and guide you every step of the way in whatever business you choose to go in to. With the numerous associates we have on board and work very closely with on a daily basis, we can assist with finance, arranging both personal and business insurance, pension schemes etc. As well as offering all of the above services and much more, we also go out and give briefs on tax advice when individuals are on resettlement courses. It is in the best interest as an individual that you get the correct advice and help out there to steer you in the right direction and Whittaker & Co are committed 100% in getting you just that. If you wish to know more about the services Whittaker & Co can offer you, or would like to arrange a meeting to discuss how we can help you in more detail then please contact us on any of the available options at the bottom of the page. HELPING OUR INJURED FORCES GO A LITTLE FURTHER

HELPING OUR INJURED FORCES GO

Whittaker & Co have supported and will continue to support and fundraise for the Pilgrim Bandits For more information visit www.pilgrimbandits.org Go as a pilgrim and seek out danger, and seek stimulation in the company of the Brave

Go as a pilgrim and seek stimu

www.pilgrimbandits.org

www.pilg

Whittaker & Co (UK) Ltd, Bryn Isel, The Bank, Newtown, Powys. SY16 2AB Telephone: 01686 610662 Website: www.whittakerandco.com Email: info@whittakerandco.com

> ELCAS

Case Study: Kris Bhudoye >> Written By: Ex Sgt Kris Bhudoye, Military Consultant for Education for the Military

’ve signed off. I’ve given it a lot of thought, I’ve had the usual “You’re making a mistake” pep-talk in its various guises, and I’ve done it anyway. This is just over a year ago. After 8 years in the Army, and ready for a change, I decided I was going to do something…anything…to move on and utilise the skills I’d gained in the military. I’d heard the usual spiel from the careers guys; “Oh, squaddies don’t realise just how many transferable skills they have for civvy street.” Don’t get me wrong, this is absolutely true, but you try convincing a civvy HR department that “working closely with explosives in the military” means you would easily “thrive in the world of offshore wireline completion, utilising shaped charges”. I can sense your blank stare already; you might as well tell them that a tight grouping on the range means you’d be a Project Management ninja. So what is the trick? It is not (and I can’t stress the NOT hard enough) a case of making your CV toppers with Military acronyms and qualifications. They don’t translate well. However, we’ve all done some course or other, that while it seemed ‘bone’ at the time, actually means (and this is genuine) that you would make a very good office manager. CLM courses that maybe felt like endless hours you’ll never get back, can actually mean a very serious, accredited qualification in civvy street.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. You will be eligible for courses that may not seem to have a bearing on any qualification you’ve had drilled into you whilst in the Forces, but that when completed, might just tip the balance in your favour when it comes to the “all important” interview. Look into it. Go on the ELCAS website. Speak to the Education Centre. Go and spend some time in the Resettlement Centre. Decide what YOU want to do, but be prepared to be open minded, and ready to put in a (little) more graft, if required. It will be worth it. And with your ELCAS points, it potentially won’t cost you anything. Not a thing. Fast forward 6 months. I’ve attended employer events, I’ve written and re-written and re-re-written my CV, I’ve smashed out application after email, after follow up letter, after application. And nothing has come up yet. I’m not (yet) worried, but that civilianstreet-shaped-horizon is approaching fast, and I’m starting to consider getting worried The lads have taken to putting well-known fast food restaurant application forms on my desk. The taunts of “Aye, you’ll have your 5 stars in no time” are becoming more frequent. The hierarchy are taking to asking me more often “So are you sorted yet? I’m not. Not yet. But I’ve started to cast my net a little wider. Then one day someone, out of nowhere, having noticed a minor point at the bottom of my CV, points me in the direction of this very magazine, and here I am. And then the NHS job website is suggested to me (and I very nearly mugged it off. What do I know about health care?), because I had

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a blue lights qual, as well as my first aid MATTs. And I was offered an Emergency Care Assistant position! I’d need a little extra training, but I’d be paid to do it. Both were jobs I hadn’t considered before, but by opening my horizons a little, a whole new raft of opportunities came flooding in. I am then offered another contract, which can fit around my work at the magazine and which I am currently away doing. At the time of writing this all I can say is that it involves sometimes being out of country, doing technical things. And guess what? The company I now contract for abroad jumped at the chance of me using my ELCAS points. What seemed to be unrelated qualifications, such as Digital TV System Repairs, will help me no end when it comes to certain aspects of my new contract. Domestic Electrics…? I have no intention of wiring up light fittings. But it’s the application of those practical skills, earned from ELCAS points that we are eligible to use, year on year, that are going to get me there. It isn’t easy, and knowing where to go for advice is key, but the bottom line is this: Use what you’re entitled to. And if you can, use it while you’re still serving. You literally have nothing to lose.

LOOKING FOR A CAREER IN MARITIME SECURITY? Ambrey Risk is the leading international Private Maritime Security Company, providing a range of security services to commercial shipping and the oil and gas sector throughout the world. Why should you choose Ambrey Risk?

• •

• • •

Our deployed teams are drawn from all sectors of H M Forces Delivering the essential City & Guilds Level 3 MSO, Highfield First Aid at Work incorporating FPOSi, City & Guilds Level 3 Education & Training and Highfield Port & Terminal Security Risk Management. Other qualifications include FPOSi and the Maritime Coastguard agency STCW95 (All four Modules) High percentage of candidates who pass our MSO course are immediately put forward for deployment opportunities Offering Continued Professional Development with opportunities for promotion Flexible work patterns

Tel: +44 (0) 203 503 0340 • Email: recruitment@ambreyrisk.com

www.ambreyrecruitment.com

IDEAL Schools Bookkeeping Home Study Experts Celebrating 30 years of student success With over 30 years experience specialising in bookkeeping & accounting training via home study, we have a training and support package suitable for anyone seeking to embark on this qualification route.

Our current course choices are as follows,

Your course includes:

• Level 1 Award in Accountancy (Access) - £249 • Level 2 Certificate in Accounting - £549 • Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping - £249 • Level 2 Computerised Accounting - £249 • Level 3 Diploma in Accounting - £649

• All Study Materials via textbook or presentation folder • tutorial support via phone & email • Continuous Self Progress tests & Answers • tutor marked assignments • Unlimited access to online practice questions

Contact us Today: 0141248 5200 or 0800 028 1404 admin@idealschools.co.uk - www.idealschools.co.uk Follow Us: @educationmat I Education for the Military I 55

Anglia Logistics Transport Training Academy Ltd If you are looking for a career in logistics then look no further than ALTTA for all your training needs. OUR COURSES INCLUDE: > RTITB and ITSSAR fork truck training to both instructor and operator standard. If a career in transport is more for you we offer training in the following areas: > Management CPC > ADR (Dangerous Goods by Road) and Driver CPC. As well as all of these courses we can deliver training in health and safety, fire marshall, first aid, abrasive wheel, face fit and much more!

For more information please call: 01733 237115 email: info@altta.co.uk or visit our website: www.altta.co.uk

Enhance your Career Prospects with Accountancy Learning The ‘go to’ people for all your bookkeeping and accountancy training Why AAT?

Why Accountancy Learning?

If you want to embark on a career in accountancy or bookkeeping, AAT is a smart choice.

We’ve been there, done that! Our staff are qualified Accounting Technicians and Chartered Accountants with years of experience in both accountancy and in training.

The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) is widely recognised as the Gold Standard for accounting technician training. You’ll find it’s a qualification that’s recognised and valued across the whole accounting profession and it’s even a requirement of many employers in the field. As a result, by becoming AAT qualified, you’ll enhance your career prospects and increase the likelihood of finding work.

“A professional and well managed learning provider” Stuart McIndoe Stuart was in the Royal Marines until 2013 and has now set up his own bookkeeping practice.

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With us you will receive unparalleled careers advice and great training. You’ll benefit from uncapped tutor support, high quality learning materials, and a flexible approach to study, which fits around your other commitments. In fact, our course provision is carefully designed to maximise your success; regardless of what else you’re juggling – it’s why our AAT Pass Rates consistently exceed 95%. For more information and advice contact us on 01392 311928 or email us for a FREE guide to the Accountancy Profession and the related qualifications and study options on study@accountancylearning.co.uk using the subject line EDMIL4. Or visit our Website at: www.accountancylearning.co.uk/students/elcascourses

> Recruitment

Preparing your CV for Civvy Street >> Written By: Joanne Nattress, Editor at Education for the Military Ltd

hen I first received our newest employee Kris Bhudoye CV, I read through it with interest, however most of it almost felt like a foreign Language. Given the work I do as Editor of the Magazine and my instructor status with the ATC, I have a very small amount of military acronym knowledge, but I was still at a complete loss. However, given our commitment to employ Veterans I interviewed Kris anyway. The fact is, many Civilian employers will not take time to find out what it all means and what the military qualifications equate to, so in many cases your CV will not pass through to interview stage. The most important change to your CV is to make it “Civvy” Friendly; you can do this by including a brief description of what each military qualification actually means and how this can fit into the role you are applying for. There are many professional CV writing companies out there, however, if they do not understand the qualifications they will not necessarily produce the CV, so that your potential employer can understand, again, you will need to send over what each

individual qualification means. However it is also important to keep the CV as Brief as possible, too much information can go against you.

through, and ask the question, “Do you understand what this all means?” If they look like a ‘Rabbit in the Headlights’ maybe re work it, and try again.

It takes more time but is worth the extra effort, to tailor each CV you send out to highlight the key aspects of the individual jobs you are applying for. In my previous role with a Global TV channel, we would receive many hundreds of applications for one job, and the process of elimination was quite simply a points system. Key words used in the advertised job description, if they were in the CV, this would be scored highly, Experience in a similar area would also score etc. To be brutally honest, our HR assistant would quickly scan them, giving them a point score and those who had over 13 points the CV’s would then reach the HR managers desk, who would then scrutinise the CV’s further, then forward to me for the applicants I wished to interview. That awful term “Buzz Words” actually can make the difference from being rejected at the first hurdle and getting your CV in front of the Manager.

Finding a Job is a Job in its self, however because of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant there are many employers who have signed up and stated they actively will employ from the military community, each covenant is individual to the company and thankfully the list grows daily. It is well worth checking the Government website www.gov.uk or a quick search in Google for “Armed Forces Covenant” to find info on these potential employers. Visit the CTP job fairs, and utilise the many recruitment agencies out there. Many like Ana-Tech are ran by veterans, who just like you, have gone through the process and come out the other end. Always visit your resettlement officer, take the time to sit down with them and ask as many questions as you like, that is why they are there.

To check your C.V is Civvy friendly, get your non-military friends and family to read

It can seem daunting starting on the recruitment journey but you have the skills to accomplish anything you put your mind to, and if not the skills the funding to get the skills.

> Adoption

Serving personnel make ideal adoptive parents for vulnerable youngsters

>> Provided By: SSAFA

ervicemen and women make exceptional adoptive parents, according to Armed Forces charity SSAFA. Formerly the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen & Families Association, SSAFA runs the only national adoption agency catering specifically for members of the Armed Forces and has placed 18 children with military families in the last year. Although postings, deployments and misconceptions about the military lifestyle can put service families looking to adopt at a disadvantage, SSAFA says they actually have significant strengths and are particularly wellplaced to parent vulnerable children who have had a difficult start in life. SSAFA Adoption Service Manager Corienne Strange said: “At SSAFA we specialise in finding families for older children and sibling groups and we find military families make ideal parents for some of the most vulnerable young people. People in the Forces tend to be resilient, tenacious and resourceful. More often than not they also have a can-do attitude, a sense of humour and an ability to assist children who have experienced difficulties, all excellent qualities in a potential adopter.” Although service life can make it difficult for partners to pursue a career, being able to offer the stability of a home-based parent for children is a distinct advantage for couples seeking to adopt. Many Forces families live behind the wire and are also able to provide a secure home environment where there are safeguarding concerns. Additionally schools in military areas have a wealth of experience

when it comes to supporting new arrivals. Whilst potential prospective adopters can apply to local agencies, SSAFA’s expert adoption team understands the unique challenges of military life and is well-placed to guide and support service families through the adoption process and beyond. Regular postings and deployments can make it difficult for serving personnel to adopt through local authorities but by offering a nationwide service SSAFA is able to support families through the entire process no matter where they move and no matter how long it takes. Ms Strange added: “Our dedicated staff work tirelessly to help ensure that serving personnel have the same opportunity to be assessed as adoptive parents as anyone else. We are always looking for people who can offer children, including groups of two or more siblings, a loving and supportive family for life. “There is so much support available to Forces families when they adopt. SSAFA staff work with their employers to ensure housing and educational needs are met and we also offer a wide range of extra support to adoptive families including practical help and assistance from local volunteers on the ground, and a dedicated post-adoption Social Worker who adopters can speak to at any stage in their post-placement journey.” Louise and Richard, who served in the Army, adopted a three-year-old girl through SSAFA. Louise said: “We had considered adoption for a number of years and after seeing the successful placement of children with a family member, decided this was the way we wanted to grow our family. “We were concerned that a local authority may not understand the military lifestyle so SSAFA was the ideal choice for us because they were aware of the support and stability that a military family could provide an adopted child. “Our daughter has been with us almost a year now and the time has gone by so quickly. She has settled in very well and is a happy little girl. As with every family, there are good and bad days, some that take more patience than others but those special moments are priceless.” There is no typical adoptive parent. SSAFA works with a wide range of people, providing homes for children with a range of needs. Some children have had many moves and can find it difficult to trust adults. Potential adopters need to be able to offer a family environment that is safe, stable and loving, empathise with a child, handle difficult situations, be patient and calm and have fun. SSAFA is particularly keen to speak to people who can consider adopting single children who are aged three and upwards and brothers and sisters of all ages who need to be adopted together.

If you would like to find out more please contact the SSAFA Adoption Service on 020 7463 9326, email adoption@ssafa.org.uk or visit www.ssafa.org.uk 58 I Education for the Military I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

ADOPT WITH SSAFA Armed Forces charity SSAFA is a registered adoption agency. We have over 20 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience supporting the military with adoption. To find out more: 020 7463 9326 adoption@ssafa.org.uk www.ssafa.org.uk/adoption Registered Charity No. 210760 and SC038056. Est. 1885. S001.0315

> Legal: Harris Fowler

Where to Turn for Legal Advice after an Accident?

W By Louise Baker, Solicitor at Harris Fowler Ltd.

“

The most important thing that any injured person wants is support be it financial, medical or practical to get themselves back on their feet.”

e all know accidents can happen – but sometimes these accidents can have devastating consequences and are avoidable. Serving personnel are dedicated and committed, working in difficult circumstances doing vitally important work and they deserve to have the best equipment, training, and management to enable them to do their job safely. Being in the Armed Forces is demanding and often dangerous but the Ministry of Defence has a duty to keep personnel safe if it can and to reduce the risk of accident and injury. Most of the time this is what happens – but what can you do if something goes wrong? If it does, then you can make a claim against the Ministry of Defence for negligence and a claim to the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. If you were injured on or before 5th April 2005, then your claim will be under the War Pensions Scheme and not to the AFCS. The two types of claim are different and you can pursue both of them in relation to the same injury. For a successful negligence claim the Ministry of Defence must have been at fault for your accident. Different rules do apply if you are injured in combat situations – but even then the Ministry of Defence has a responsibility to make sure you were properly trained and equipped. To make a claim to the AFCS you must be able to show that your injuries were caused by your service or made worse by service. As a rule of thumb compensation received in one type of claim will be taken into account in the other. Advisors who specialise in military claims will be able to help you decide which is the best claim or claims for you to make to ensure you are properly compensated. Take action early on if you think you may want to make a claim and remember you can make a claim whilst you are still serving. If you delay in making a claim it can have very serious consequences. Critically, if you leave it too late you might be prevented from making a claim altogether because there are strict time limits which have to be complied with. A negligence claim needs to be started at Court within three years of the date of injury or the date that you knew your injury

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was caused by or linked to an original accident or incident. The Court does have a limited power to extend the three year time limit but you should not rely on this. If you want to make a claim to the AFCS you have seven years to do so. Again there are exceptions but these are limited and you should not rely on them. The key is to seek advice early on so as to maximise your chances of having a successful claim. The most important thing that any injured person wants is support be it financial, medical or practical to get themselves back on their feet. A specialist military claims advisor will be able to help you get that provision early on in your claim if fault on the part of the Ministry of Defence is accepted and this will help you to maximise your recovery. Understandably you will want an idea as to what your claim might be worth. An experienced advisor will be able to give you an early indication. Every case is different but if you have been discharged from the Army because of your injuries you may well be entitled to a significant award to compensate you for your injury and loss of career. If you are making a claim to the AFCS then you will be awarded compensation based on a tariff scheme. Thankfully, even working in the Armed Forces in a challenging and fast moving environment, accidents are rare. If things do go wrong, remember serving personnel have the same rights to be protected and compensated as other working people. Seek advice as soon as you can from a specialist advisor with experience in military claims to ensure you receive the best possible support.

Harris Fowler has an experienced specialist team dealing with military personal injury claims. If you or a family member, either still serving or already left the military, have been involved in an incident where you have suffered an injury and would like free, no obligation, expert advice, please call our FREEPHONE number 0800 132965. Or visit us online at www.harrisfowler.co.uk.

> Private Tutoring

Giving Your Child a brighter future! >> Provided By: Kip McGrath Education Centres

ip McGrath Education Centres have been helping children with Reading, Spelling, English and Maths for over 35 years. There are now over 550 centres worldwide, with over 200 operating in the UK. Our experienced, professional and fully qualified teachers provide support to children who are finding schoolwork difficult, wish to excel or those students who are preparing for examinations or entrance exams. We understand that more often than not, the most common reason children struggle with maths and English is simply because of

a lack of understanding, and should not be put down to lack of intelligence. We’ve even witnessed gifted children feeling insufficiently stretched by work which is beneath their capabilities, and subsequently lose interest in learning and slip down below their potential. At Kip McGrath, we firmly believe that any child can learn if they are taught properly and every child deserves the opportunity to access educational services to reach their full potential. Confidence is a key element, and that’s one of our focus areas with our students. Our proven methods of tuition are designed to teach any missing concepts of maths and

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English, which in turn will boost a child’s confidence, and help them make up any lost time so that they may have the opportunity to catch up with their peers. The programmes are designed to give students the motivation to succeed. Each child is an individual, and they all have different learning styles. We don’t label or categorise our students, and therefore create a completely individualised learning plan for that child, which is catered to meet their style of learning. Using our new, ground breaking, multimillion pound software, we are able to determine through our FREE assessment, with precision accuracy, the levels your child is at in their education. Our software, in combination with our manual activities and qualified teachers, who teach educational concepts, are able to ensure that students are not given work that is too easy, nor too hard. The Kip McGrath system of tutoring is able to monitor a student’s progress and abilities to give them exactly the correct level of educational challenge. There are no ‘standard’ timeframes and progression is at the students’ pace, so that they never feel overwhelmed and therefore any sense of failure that they may have previously experienced is removed! Children try harder when they attend Kip McGrath Centre because they genuinely feel that they are progressing and improving. Our teachers only provide support where and when it’s needed. At Kip McGrath, we find that children are more productive and become more successful independent learners when taught on a one-to-one individualised learning programmes basis, but in a group environment. Online tutoring opens up a whole new world of possibilities for teachers, parents and students. We found that many parents wanted to enrol their child with us, but simply didn’t have the time to commit to a lesson time or a centre nearby. However, with a computer and a steady internet connection, they can still receive all of the benefits provided by our unique, proven methods of tuition with a qualified teacher online. For more information and details of your nearest centre, please visit our website, www.kipmcgrath.co.uk/em or call 01452 382282.

You could say that Kip McGrath give all students a second chance to reach their full potential and gain skills for life!

Take the next step to unlock your child’s full potential. Call Kip McGrath TODAY for a FREE assessment to see what your child can achieve!

> Feature

Education for military families >> Provided By: The Royal Navy & Royal Marines Children’s Fund

here is so much well-deserved public debate and attention given to our serving and ex-serving Armed Forces personnel that we can often forget about the families and children back home. For the children and families of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines in particular they spend long periods of time coping as their serving parent is away at sea, sometimes for months on end. For both the families coping back home and for the serving person away, often in a conflict zone, peace of mind can be hard to come by. The RN and RM Children’s Fund have been dedicated to supporting these children for over 100 years providing help to around 2000 children every year; we are there for those challenges that they have to deal with over and above those usually faced by their peers. With around 85% of the children we help either themselves or a parent having a disability or illness they also have the extra stress linked to being a ‘forces’ child.

So where does the RN and RM Children’s Fund come in and why is it needed? The main challenges that military children face revolve around the stresses and strains on them from long periods with a parent away and the impact of living in a temporary one-parent or no parent family in addition to the

difficulties they are facing if there is disability or illness to contend with and we provide support in many different ways. In the main we give grants to provide equipment or services linked to their disability or illness but we can provide help in such basic ways as putting food on the table or a grant when a crisis hits a family that is already struggling.

>> So how do they help? We have our own case-worker based at our offices in Portsmouth and we also use a large network of volunteer caseworkers through SSAFA (The Soldiers and Sailors Families Association). They get the information from the family as to what help is needed. The grants we provide range from equipment and clothing, providing wheelchairs or other equipment to make the life of a disabled child easier and that of the parent caring. Many of our families have to make frequent hospital visits and stays and this can be expensive both travelling and finding accommodation if far from home. Assessments of special needs so that the child can receive the right support at school are complicated when you have to move frequently and therefore change school.

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>> Education In particular we can offer support where there are educational needs. Service children move frequently and this means moving schools which can have a huge impact on their education – particularly where there is a learning disability or special needs. We provide support to children needing stability and continuity of education at times of crisis, help with educational assessments and if the situation warrants it we can support their attendance at a special school or help with extra lessons.

>> Emergency Essentials Grants A large proportion of our support falls into what we call our Emergency Essentials Grant scheme. For some children and young people their need is immediate and we need to respond quickly and directly to the family. This could be for a bed, clean clothes or a hot meal. Our Emergency Essentials Grant helps those children who are living in desperate situations and where poverty is having an effect on their health and development. All our families are struggling financially and many have been tipped into desperate circumstances through bereavement, injury, illness or disability.

Supporting children of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines who are in need, hardship and distress. Also children who have physical or learning disabilities: helping with special needs education and support, educational need in times of crisis and bereavement (tri-service, Ogden armed forces bursary). The only charity dedicated to supporting children whose parents work, or have worked, for the Naval Service.

Tel: 023 9263 9534 rnchildren@btconnect.com www.rnrmchildrensfund.org.uk Charity Registration - 1075015

Queen Victoria School Raising to Distinction Open Morning Sat 19 Sept 2015 Admissions Deadline 15 Jan each year Queen Victoria School in Dunblane is a co-educational boarding school for the children of UK Armed Forces personnel who are Scottish, or who have served in Scotland or who have been members of a Scottish regiment. The QVS experience encourages and develops well-rounded, confident individuals in an environment of stability and continuity. The main entry point is into Primary 7 and all places are fully funded for tuition and boarding by the Ministry of Defence. Families are welcome to find out more by contacting Admissions on +44 (0) 131 310 2927 to arrange a visit.

Queen Victoria School Dunblane Perthshire FK15 0JY