The Forces Family Education Guide 2024/25

“Where natural talent becomes international achievement....”

Game-changing education . . .

Nestled in 153 acres of rural Scottish campus, Strathallan School has fostered game-changing education for over 100 years. The school’s award-winning experience and unique triple pathway of A-Levels, Highers and Advanced Highers attracts families from around the world, and achieves top exam results annually.

Strathallan has a rich history with the Armed Forces, understanding the challenges and commitments that accompany military life, providing a nurturing environment where children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

The school’s historic campus – with £22m+ investment in the last two decades – features state-of-the-art sports facilities, including strength gym, ice baths and infra-red recovery panels. Academies in Rugby, Swimming, Tennis and Shooting allow players to compete at the highest levels, and with over 80 co-curricular activities, there are boundless opportunities to discover passions and talents.

At Strathallan, we believe in nurturing the next generation of leaders, instilling values of integrity, resilience, and community spirit. Join us where tradition meets adventure, and every child has the opportunity to excel.

Find out more at our Open Morning: Saturday 12th October 2024 ww.strathallan.co.uk/visit-us nafese2023.com | 2

Strathallan School, Forgandenny, Perthshire, PH2 9EG | +44 (0) 1738 812 546 | admissions@strathallan.co.uk

CONTENTS Welcome An Introduction from our sponsor - Strathallan School What is the CEA? Forces Boarding Schools A Introduction to Enhanced Learning Credits What are Standard Learning Credits?

4 6 8 12 30 34

Project Editor - Mal Robinson | Publications Manager - Sam Rosenthal Design - Liam Grieves | Imagery - Ministry of Defence, Crown Copyright 2023 Contact: hospitality@nafese2023.com While the publishers have taken all reasonable care to ensure that all material is accurate at the time of going to press, they can accept no responsibility for errors or omissions. No liability is accepted for omission or failure from any cause. Opinions expressed are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of NAFESE. Professional advice should be sought before making any commitment to business transactions detailed within NAFESE. All advertisements are accepted only on the grounds that they comply with the terms of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 and all other relevant legislation. Inclusion of an advertisement cannot be construed as an endorsement of the advertiser or the product by the publishers, their employees or agents.

The publishers cannot accept responsibility for any transaction between readers and advertisers. No material in this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the publishers.

Eyes Front! Copyright of National Armed Forces & Emergency Services Events 2024.

W ELCO ME HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE FIRST EVER FORCES FAMILY EDUCATION GUIDE. Produced by the National Armed Forces & Emergency Services Events Team, the Guide is the latest publication addition to the portfolio of the NAFESE stable, which already boasts the NAFESE Community Directory and Eyes Front magazine.

I am naturally delighted to be the Project Editor for this production and coming from a forces background, having grown up in a British Army family and then served for nine years in the Royal Air Force and continuing to bring up children in a forces family, it is safe to say, I have had various experiences over a number of sides of fences, to cast my eyes over this publication.

My own schooling was somewhat an interrupted affair, my father seeing out his days in The Cheshire Regiment, leaving the regular Army in 1985, following a final flourish in Hong Kong. I was then in infants and whilst we settled down in the north east of England, my father joined the Reserves in a full time role, meaning my parents contemplated moving once again to be closer to his job.

One school move later for 4 months and I was back in my original school on returning to the UK from Asia - my parents failing to settle near my father’s new unit.

My sisters, with an age gap of eleven and seven years over me, had it far worse, with an array of postings around Germany, Northern Ireland, Chepstow and then Hong Kong. My eldest sister Helen even had to repeat a year, when the educational powers decided to move the goalposts on where academic year groups started and ended for individual’s birthdays.

My nephew and niece were both born into a forces family and endured upheavals to the point they both attended boarding schools and received excellent educations, although, not without a bedding in period, thus it is important to do your homework (pardon the pun) when selecting independent education schools, if you decide to go down that route at all.

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I was keen for my own children not to experience a similar fate of changing schools and this was one of my main drivers for leaving the military in 2011, particularly with a partner at the time, also serving in the RAF. My two children attend state schools (primary and secondary at the time of writing) alongside my stepson. Whilst the option of boarding has been discussed with their mother (still serving) my own job roles allowed flexibility for school pick ups, nativity play attendance and the like. I also preferred the hands-on parenting approach, but also knew on one hand they may be missing out on a potential superb spread of educational offerings, that comes with independent schooling in the UK. It’s a tough call at times, but hopefully, handy resources such as this guide can help support you, whatever your choices.

There is no one correct answer or solution and everyone’s situation when it comes to parenting is as individualistic as the children themselves.

Another element of forces education which is very much individualistic is that of what direction you want your forces career to go in, be it staying in or getting out and using resettlement services.

This brings me onto the second element to this guide and that of showcasing how to take advantage of your educational allowances within the services and for some, up to ten years after service.

Again, using myself as an example, I opted to partake in a Diploma in Literature with the Open University, of which I used Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC’s) towards. I know some of my colleagues opted not to take them and again it is all personable, but why not use them?

Later in this guide, you will find a guide and introduction to the scheme, which is sometimes not always promoted within forces circles as it should be.

As with the boarding school information, the ELC content within the guide will be of use and support, whatever route you decide to take.

The very best of luck in all of your forces education future endeavours!

Kind regards, Mal Mal Robinson Project Editor, The Forces Family Education Guide.

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Where Tradition Meets Innovation

Nestled in 153 acres of beautiful Perthshire, Strathallan School has been delivering game-changing education for over a century. For families in the British Armed Forces, Strathallan offers a nurturing environment where children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, supported by a community that understands the unique challenges and commitments of military life. nafese2023.com | 6

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A Rich History of Excellence Strathallan’s award-winning education and unique triple pathway of A-Levels, Highers, and Advanced Highers attract families from across the UK and around the world.

Consistently achieving top exam results, our pupils go on to study and pursue careers globally, and our alumni include Olympians, Emmy winners, and influential leaders.

A Welcoming Community At Strathallan, we believe in nurturing every child, and our supportive environment ensures that everyone feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.

With over 80 co-curricular activities, students have ample opportunities to explore their interests, develop new skills, and build lifelong friendships. Our welcoming community is home to children from many military families, and we understand the unique challenges they face. From the youngest pupils in Strathallan Prep to our senior students, every child is set up for success, equipped with the tools and confidence to excel.

Strathallan Prep School: Starting Strong Since its launch in 2020, Strathallan Prep School has expanded to welcome pupils from age five, making a big impact with its small class sizes and specialist teachers.

Even our youngest pupils benefit from groundbreaking programs like the Pre-Senior Baccalaureate and the Junior Foresters Award, setting them up for future success in senior school and beyond. The Prep School is a happy, vibrant place filled with music and laughter, where every child is encouraged to discover their passions and talents.

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State-of-the-Art Facilities With over £22 million invested in the last two decades, Strathallan boasts state-of-theart sports facilities, including a strength gym, ice baths, and infra-red recovery panels.

Our academies in Rugby, Swimming, Tennis and Shooting allow young sportspeople to compete at the highest levels. Additionally, we have an indoor small bore rifle range and the country’s only purpose-built compact sporting clay pigeon shooting facility.

Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship Strathallan’s commitment to sustainability has been recognized with a nomination for the Sustainability in Boarding Award in the Boarding Schools’ Association Supporting Excellence Awards 2024. Our initiatives include presenting sustainability plans at COP28, rewilding large parts of our campus, and creating habitats for rescued hedgehogs. We are dedicated to reducing waste and encouraging biodiversity through the planting of native Scottish species.

Celebrating Scottish Culture and Tradition The Traditional Music and Scottish Culture department at Strathallan has seen remarkable growth, and our four pipe bands compete internationally. In recent years, they have shared the stage with Scottish rock legends like The Red Hot Chili Pipers and Skerryvore, nurturing a deep appreciation for Scotland’s rich cultural heritage.

Combined Cadet Force: Leadership and Adventure Our renowned Combined Cadet Force (CCF) program is a cornerstone of the Strathallan experience, offering Army, Navy, and the only Royal Marines school section in Scotland. Under the command of Major Marjoribanks, a former British Army Officer, cadets develop leadership skills, discipline, and resilience through a variety of military disciplines and outdoor adventure training. The CCF program is supported by local military units, providing high-quality training and opportunities for cadets to participate in local and national competitions.

Our cadets are also involved in meaningful community projects, such as planting over 1,200 trees as part of the Northwoods Rewilding Project, contributing to environmental sustainability while working towards their CCF Community Engagement Award and John Muir Award.

Join Us at Strathallan Strathallan School is more than just a place of learning; it’s a community where tradition meets adventure, and where every child has the opportunity to flourish, making memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.

“For me, Strathallan is like a tailored suit: it’s the same outfit on everyone but tailored to fit your needs and ambitions. It’s a huge box of opportunities for everyone and you just have to reach in and grab them.” - Constantin, Lower 6th Discover Strathallan School, where excellence is tradition, and every child’s potential is nurtured and celebrated.

Website: www.strathallan.co.uk

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EDUCATION ALLOWANCE WHAT IS THE CONTINUITY OF EDUCATION ALLOWANCE (CEA)?

The Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) is offered by the MOD to assist with funding a place in a boarding school in order to help to provide continuity of education for a child, and to enable the spouse of a Service person to accompany them on assignments.

In claiming CEA, a Service person must fully accept that accompanied service is the overriding principle for maintaining entitlement. An exception to this requirement is when a Service person is classified as Involuntarily Separated (INVOLSEP). This classification must be confirmed by the claimant’s Commanding Officer or by means of casework to Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) before claiming while serving unaccompanied.

CEA is available for children aged eight years and over. If your child has Special Education Needs or Disability (SEND), this should not prevent their admission to a boarding school, and an allowance for SEN support may be available in some circumstances.

Children for whom CEA is being claimed must be placed in their correct chronological year group. If a school suggests that a child be placed, on entry to the school, in the year behind (or in front of) their correct year group, advice and authority for this must be sought from the Children’s Education and Advisory Service before the placement is accepted, as this may affect your eligibility to claim CEA. Advice and authority must also be sought from CEAS if a child is asked to repeat a year in a school they are already attending.

You are expected to contribute a minimum of 10% towards the fees. The fees are only part of the costs of attending a boarding school and so it is important to be clear about any extras the school charges for.

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Further information about eligibility is in Joint Service Publication 752, part 2 (Chapter 9). To check your eligibility and to apply, contact your Unit Personnel Office.

The Continuity of Education Allowance is also available for Guardians of children, however, please check with your Unit Welfare Officer for more information on what is considered a case by case scenario.

General Considerations 1. When considering sending your child/children to boarding school it is essential that you fully consider following factors: Boarding education is expensive and you need to be aware of the full costs involved before committing yourself.

2. The headline fees can link to other additional charges which vary school by school. The CEA rate covers up to 90% of the headline fee up to a published ceiling. Costs above that ceiling and additional school charges are the responsibility of the parent.

3. High independent school fees do not automatically result in good or outstanding schools.

4. Maintained, or State Boarding Schools, offer lower fees because they charge only for boarding provision with the tuition element being State funded.

5. Every child is an individual and a school suitable for one child may not be suitable for another; one child’s needs may best be met by a large, highly academic school, while another child needs a small family atmosphere in which to thrive.

6. Choosing a boarding school is not easy and you will need to gather together as much information as possible. Do visit as many schools and speak with as many teachers and boarding staff as possible. Try to talk to pupils and other parents and remember not to commit yourself before you have confirmed that you will be eligible for CEA through engaging fully with the application process.

7. Check school inspection reports which are public documents available either from The Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED).

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BOARDING SCHOOLS D I D YO U KNOW ?

The UK Education Advisory Team (UK EAT) – formerly CEAS gives advice, information and support on all aspects of your child’s education, including boarding school.

It holds the Accredited Schools Database (ASD), a list of schools for which CEA is admissible. To claim this allowance, the school you choose must be on this list.

This database now includes more detail about the schools, including latest inspection reports, boarding capacity, fees and discounts to Service families in receipt of CEA. Families can also use filters to identify suitable schools. The information provided is for guidance only and all Service personnel should verify the details with the school prior to accepting a boarding offer. You can request access to the database by emailing RC-DCS-HQ-EAT@ mod.gov.uk Source: The Army Families Federation (AFF) aff.org.uk Please see a selection below of boarding and independent schools in the UK offering services discounted rates.

• Abbotsholme School

• Clifton College

• Appleford School

• Culford School

• Ashville College

• Duke of York’s Royal Military School

• Badminton School, Bristol • Barnard Castle School • Beeston Hall School • Bedstone College • Bilton Grange Preparatory School • Boundary Oak School • Cargilfield School, Edinburgh • Caterham School • Cheltenham College • Christ’s College Brecon nafese2023.com | 12

• Durham School • Eastbourne College • Farlington School • Felsted School • Finborough School, Suffolk • Framlingham College • Giggleswick School • Godolphin School • Gordonstoun School

• Gresham’s School

• Queen Mary’s School, Thirsk

• Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls

• Rishworth School

• Handcross Park School • Hazlegrove School • Horris Hill School • Kent College Canterbury • King Edward’s School Witley • Kingham Hill School • King’s Bruton • Kingsley School, Bideford • Kingswood School • Longridge Towers School, Northumberland • Loughborough Grammar School • Malvern College • Millfield • Mill Hill School • Monmouth School • Moorland School • Norman Court Preparatory School • Orwell Park School • Oswestry School • Packwood Haugh School, Shropshire

• Ryde School • Rye St Antony • Salisbury Cathedral School • St Felix School • St John’s College Southsea • St Lawrence College • Seaford College • Sherborne Prep School • Sherborne School • Slindon College, West Sussex • Stonar School • Stover School • Strathallan School • Taunton School • Terrington Hall School.

• The Downs, Malvern College Prep School • The Elms School, Worcester • The Oratory School • The Royal School Haslemere • Tonbridge School • Trent College • Warminster School

• Port Regis School

• Wellington College, Berkshire

• Prior’s Field School

• Westonbirt School

• Queen Anne’s, Caversham

• Windermere School

• Queen’s College Taunton

• Wrekin College

• Queen Ethelburga’s College nafese2023.com | 13

U S EFUL CO NTACT S - S C HO O L S Useful contact details for organisations and bodies within the UK to assist with advice on Boarding and Independent Schools, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and other links can be found below.

A RM ED FO R CES E DUCATI ON TRUST The Armed Forces Education Trust is a charity working for children and young adults whose education has been compromised or put at risk as a result of parents’ past or current service in our Armed Forces. The grants we give make a difference to young lives, helping improve their educational opportunities or supporting special skills or talents. admin@armedforceseducation.org WhatsApp - 07464732000.

Armed Forces Education Trust PO Box 684, Farnham, GU9 1LP.

T H E B OA RD I NG S CH OOLS AS SOCIATION ( B SA) www.boarding.org.uk Telephone: : 020 8253 8388 Email: boardingschools@metropolis.co.uk

T H E D EPA RTM E NT FOR E D UCATION The Department for Education is responsible for children’s services and education, including early years, schools, higher and further education policy, apprenticeships and wider skills in England. DfE is a ministerial department, supported by 18 agencies and public bodies. https://www.gov.uk/browse/education

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IN D E P END E NT S CH OOLS COUNCIL (ISC) The Independent Schools Council is a non-profit lobby group that represents over 1,300 private schools in the United Kingdom.

Independent Schools Council, First Floor, 27 Queen Anne’s Gate, London, SW1H 9BU Telephone: +44 (0)20 7766 7070 Fax: +44 (0)20 7766 7071

S P EC I AL E D UCAT I ONA L NE E D S AND D I SAB I L I T I ES (S E ND) B RI T I S H DYS LE XI A AS S OCI ATION (BDA) The British Dyslexia Association, Office 205 Access Business Centre, Willoughby Road, Bracknell, RG12 8FB Telephone: 0333 405 4555

CO U N C I L FOR THE R EG I ST RATION OF S C H O O L S TE ACHI NG DYS LE XIC PUPILS (CR EST E D) CReSTeD, C/o Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity, 24 West Street, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7DR. www.crested.org.uk

A D D I T I O N AL CONTACTS Council of British International Schools (COBIS) www.cobis.org.uk Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) www.iaps.co.uk Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) www.ucas.com

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senior schools rank 1st & 7th in the north for academic performance qe college placed 2nd in the uk & 1st in the north for a level results

queen ethelburga’s collegiate Welcoming Forces students for over 100 years.

Well-established, co-ed school set in 220 acres of countryside.

Day students from 3 months to 19 years and boarders from Year 3. cea approved with cea, non-cea, forces & ex-forces discounts

special forces pastoral provision

combined cadet force & forces clubs onsite

excellent facilities

100+ clubs, activities & trips

join over 300 forces students on a campus of 1300

open morning: 28th september 01423 333333 | admissions@qe.org www.qe.org | stand b5

Co-educational, Day & Boarding School in the Lake District Why Forces choose Windermere School?

About Windermere School?

• Pay only 10% of fees in addition to the CEA for boarding children • Registration fee of only £50 per child • Boarders activity programme provided throughout the year • No Exeat weekends • Free ‘Taster Stay’ • Refer a Forces Friend Scheme • Sibling discounts available • 10% discount of school fees for day pupils

• A unique outdoor education programme • Private watersports centre on Windermere • Award-winning Sixth Form IB programme • Top academic independent school in the North West • Non Academically Selective • Boarding from the age of 7-18 • Co-ed, family feel, boarding experience • UNESCO World Heritage Site location • An adventurous education like no other

admissions@windermereschool.co.uk - www.windermereschool.co.uk - 015394 46164

Scan to learn more about how we support Forces families!

Rated ‘Excellent’ by ISI in 2023

Reserve your place

OPEN DAY

SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER 2024 giggleswick.org.uk admissions@giggleswick.org.uk Founded in 1512, Giggleswick is an independent co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 2-18. Boarding is available from Year 4.

WHEN H OM E K E E P S M OV IN G Being a parent of two extremely welltravelled service children, I know alltoo-well how difficult life can be for their stability.

Moving can always be stressful, but when you have already moved twice in the last 3 years, the direct emotional response for the entire family becomes harder to bear. Deployments and work commitments destabilise the family unit and each relocation can be physically and emotionally draining. Moving a child to a school they dislike from one they love, leaving friends behind and having to start again, can have a huge negative impact on the whole family. The more you move the harder it becomes for you to sustain, and research has worryingly highlighted the disadvantage service children receive as a result of our global mobility, especially in their education.

The Continuation of Education Allowance (CEA) is designed to help service personnel maintain a continuity of education for their children which may not otherwise have been possible. It assists in offering students the chance to finish their education in one location while their family continue to move. CEA is not means tested and is available to all (eligible*) service personnel no matter what rank or service.

Whilst offsetting CEA against boarding school fees does not mean that the perfect education you imagined for your child is always affordable, many schools will offer armed forces discounts on top of the CEA entitlement. Some schools may ask for as little as 10% of the total termly fee, the minimum required when claiming CEA. This means that boarding your child at their dream school may be more affordable than you think.

I can say with pride that our armed forces children are often described as dandelions. They are hardy and resilient, with strong roots, flying on the wind to new adventures. It is positive traits like these that help military children adapt so well to boarding life, and the reason why so many parents feel that boarding is the logical next step for the family.

CEA coupled with generous military discounts, gives parents the ability to provide stability and continuity for their children, opening otherwise impossible, unaffordable opportunities. Boarding school suddenly becomes a more feasible prospect, meaning armed forces parents can make the brave and profoundly difficult decision to begin the journey of selecting a school.

No one understands your child as well as you and this is why it is important to decide exactly what you want from their boarding school experience and how you envisage their future developing.

The question is, how do you tackle the overwhelming amount of choice available? Each school has its strengths.

No two schools are the same, and wading through prospectus after prospectus looking for the right educational pathway for your child can be daunting.

Images courtesy of Milton Abbey & Clifton College

But you don’t have to do it alone.

Panoba, offer a FREE impartial service for military families.

With a wealth of experience and access to over 300 schools nationwide, we will create a shortlist that best fits your family. It is extremely important for us to understand your child’s unique needs.

Considering all key aspects of your expectations, we will establish your ideal locations, your curriculum requirements, your child’s hobbies and strengths, special educational needs, budget and more. With understanding and empathy for the decision you have just made we will guide you hand in hand through the daunting task ahead, supporting you and striving to find your child a perfect home from home when home keeps moving.

Author: Stacey Heartford, Forces Education Consultant at Panoba If you would like any more information about the service or would like to arrange an informal chat email info@panoba.co.uk *for detailed information on CEA allowances and eligibility please access JSP 752 Chapter 14 (available to access on any search engine) or contact your Unit HR.

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our commitment to Forces families, we offer significant discounts to Forces, Ex-Forces, CEA and non-CEA applicants.

QUEEN ETHELBU RGA’S CO L L EGI AT E (QE) Queen Ethelburga’s (QE) supports girls and boys to become resilient, confident, independent and future-ready young adults through our four schools; Chapter House (3 months to Year 5), King’s Magna (Year 6 to 9), QE College and QE Faculty (both Year 10 to 13). We have welcomed students from Forces families for over 100 years and of our 1300 students, 340 of them are Forces boarders.

A CEA-accredited school, military children can board with us from Year 3 and take full advantage of the 100+ clubs and state-ofthe-art facilities we have within our rural 220-acre North Yorkshire campus. As part of

Military children are a community within a community at QE. We have our own Forces Club, Combined Cadet Force and two specialist Forces Liaison Officers, who are either ex-Forces personnel or past military children. We have a keep in touch club for students, themed pastoral activities and support clinics where staff help students to contact parents who may be deployed abroad, chat about issues and offer one-toone support. In addition, the school runs a ‘buddy’ system and Peer Mentoring initiative between students. Forces students are also welcome to wear Prefect-style Forces pin badges with pride.

QE is best known for our excellent academic results with QE College ranking 1st in the North for Academic Performance in the Sunday Times Parent Power 2023. We have won or been shortlisted for multiple boarding and pastoral awards including the BSA BEst Refurbishment 2024, BSA Inclusion and Diversity Finalist 2024, Muddy Stilettos Happiest Boarding School Finalist 2023, BSA Innovation Winner 2022, and ISOTY Student Experience Winner 2022. www.qe.org/forces-families

Rated ‘Excellent’ in all areas Independent Schools Inspectorate

PREP | SENIOR | SIXTH FORM

A leading independent day and boarding school for girls and boys aged 4-18, set amid stunning countryside in Northern England

Home away from home full-time and flexi boarding in a happy, stable environment

‘Barney’ is served by a range of excellent transport links

Scan to learn more about our upcoming Open Events or to arrange a personalised visit Alternatively, contact 01833 696030 or admissions@barneyschool.org.uk

@BarnardCastleSchool

@barnardcastleschool

@barney_school

Barnard Castle School | Co Durham DL12 8UN | www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk

Ignite

YOUR POTENTIAL

Renowned for our warm and welcoming home-fromhome community, Kingswood offers full, weekly and flexi boarding opportunities, with our houseparent teams providing a safe, nurturing and engaging experience for pupils. Our broad and balanced curriculum is supported by outstanding pastoral care, so that every pupil can find and ignite their potential. We are proud to provide an outstanding education for children of serving members of HM Forces and the FCDO. Join us at one of our forthcoming open events and discover more – register your interest on our website today.

A co-educational independent school for pupils aged nine months to 18 years

www.kingswood.bath.sch.uk

Long term commitment to CEA

CEA + 10% of Fees

The school provides an almost unimaginable sense of family and warmth and is a welcome second home Noah, military boarder

Set in the grounds of 35 acres of stunning Hampshire countryside, on the border of the New Forest.

- 3 New Specialist Science Labs - DT Hub including CAD Suite - New school library - Multiple art studios with gallery space

Good links between major railway stations and airports with DBS checked transfers organised by the school.

Scan to Book a Tour

A full programme of entertainment for boarders outside of the normal working day, mid-week clubs and weekend enrichment activities.

A N I N D E P E N D E N T DAY & B OA R D I N G S C H O O L FO R AG E S 0 - 18

A HOME FROM HOME Whatever your background, whatever your story, we unearth potential in every child.

Find your exceptional at Taunton School.

# FI N DYOU R E XC E P TI O NAL

For more information visit: www.tauntonschool.co.uk/militaryfamilies

Forces Discount: Pay just 10% of the gross boarding fee

Explorer

Chloe

Artist

Actor Chorister

A whole world to explore.

At The Downs Malvern, we have a proud history of welcoming the children of Forces families to our home in the Malvern Hills.

Safe, supportive and inspiring, it’s a place where curiosity meets opportunity; where children learn to navigate their world with confidence – whichever path they choose.

Discover The Downs Malvern information@thedownsmalvern.org.uk www.thedownsmalvern.org.uk

Co-e duc ation al day a nd boarding s c hool age 3 -1 8

Forces Discount: Pay 10% gross boarding fees

Role Model

Amelia Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet

Boarder

Deputy Head of House

Cyclist

Tomorrow’s role models, shaped today.

At Malvern College we are proud of our military heritage, which dates back to 1865. Today we have a thriving community of pupils whose parents are serving military personnel.

We are excited to announce our new forces discount scheme.

Families in receipt of CEA funding only need to pay 10% of the gross boarding fees.

Discover Malvern: admissions@malverncollege.org.uk www.malverncollege.org.uk

ELCAS GUIDE TO USING YOUR ENHANCED LEARNING CREDITS We continue our focus on education within the forces family by highlighting how to use educational allowances for serving personnel and in particular the Enhanced Learning Credits scheme.

C H EC K YO UR E LI G I BI LI T Y !

Before being eligible to make an ELC claim, individual scheme members must have completed not less than six years eligible service (lower tier).

If you have completed 4 years qualifying service prior to 1st April 2017, please read JSP 822. The lower tier of funding is up to £1,000 per claim instalment and the higher tier (eight years service) is up to £2,000 per claim instalment. Only service accumulated since 1st April 2000, may be counted as eligible service for the purpose of the ELC Scheme.

You are entitled to make three ELC claims in total. You can only make one claim per financial year (1 April- 31 March), however if you have served between 6 and 8 years you may be eligible to aggregate all three lower tier claims together subject to meeting the qualifying criteria in JSP 822.

As the expiration date of your claims is dependent upon many factors please read JSP 822. If you are claiming in the last year of your scheme eligibility, you must commence study before your scheme expiry date.

If you are in your qualifying resettlement phase you may be eligible to claim under the Joint Funding Initiative (PF FE/HE Scheme). For the full details and to check the eligibility rules, please view the Serving Personnel/Claiming Publically Funded FE/HE page.

Procedure for Eligible Service Personnel You must complete an online claim and submit to your Education Staff a minimum of 25 working days prior to your course start date.

On receipt of your Claim Authorisation Note (CAN), you must present it to your chosen Learning Provider before the course is due to start.

Service Leaver Claiming ELC These guidance notes are for claimants who are no longer in service.

Personnel who are still in Service, and/or in their resettlement phase,

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should refer to their Education Staff, Education Centre or Resettlement Centres.

Once eligible to claim you may submit a claim up to five years (if you left on/after 1st April 2016) or up to ten years (if you left before 1st April 2016) after you leave the service. Please read JSP 822 for the expiration date of your claims particularly in respect of those service leavers who were medically discharged.

You can only make one claim per financial year (1st April to 31st March), however if you have served between 6 and 8 years you may be eligible to aggregate all three claims together subject to meeting the qualifying criteria outlined in JSP 822. If you are claiming in the last year of scheme eligibility, study must commence before scheme expiry date.

As a Service Leaver you may be eligible to claim under the Joint Funding Initiative (PF FE/HE Scheme). For full details and to check the eligibility rules please click here.

Procedure for Claimants No Longer in Service Please note that the following information must be submitted with your electronic claim (Paper claims by authorised exception) to your Single Service Representative a minimum of 25 working days prior to your course start date/registration date: • Evidence of your last day of Service (copy of your discharge document or P45) • A copy of a utility bill showing your home address.

Choosing your Learning Provider Your course of study must be delivered by an organisation that holds ELC Approved Learning Provider status and has your chosen course(s) approved for funding.

Not all learning organisations are listed; if you know where you would prefer to study and they aren’t listed, you may wish to contact them directly and ask them to make an application (subject to qualifying criteria).

Only MOD approved courses will appear on the Provider’s course listing on the ELCAS website. If your chosen course does not appear in the search results for an approved Learning Provider but would result in a level 3 (or above) nationally recognised qualification, please ask the Learning Provider to submit their course for approval by MOD via their online portal. Only approved courses can be selected when making a claim.

For further information and guidance please see the Enhanced Learning Credits website at www.enhancedlearningcredits.com

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JOIN THE GAS SAFE REGISTER JOIN THE GAS SAFE REGISTER

THE LONGEST RUNNING GAS TRAINING CENTRE IN THE UK 20 Years of MOD resettlement THE LONGEST RUNNING GAS TRAINING CENTRE IN THE UK 20 Years of MOD resettlement NEW ENTRANT GAS [lvl 3 award] This course will allow you to register with the "Gas Safe Register" to [lvl carry out domestic gas NEW ENTRANT GAS 3 award] installation and service work within the UK This course will allow you to register with the "Gas Safe Register" to carry out domestic gas installation and service work within the UK

OUR WORK PLACEMENTS ARE GUARANTEED AND FREE. OUR WORK PLACEMENTS ARE GUARANTEED CLAIM ON : AND ELC FREE. • OFTEC Oil • Commercial gas CLAIM ELC ON : • LPG • Commercial catering OFTEC Oil • Renewables • Domestic gas Commercial gas Our domestic portfolio gives you • LPG • BoilersCommercial - Cookers - Fires - Meters. catering :Portfolios available for all the above courses to get you qualified • Renewables • Domestic gas

Our domestic gives you FUNDING FORportfolio RE-ASSESSMENT ON ALL COURSES AVAILABLE NOW Boilers - Cookers - Fires - Meters.

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FUNDING FOR RE-ASSESSMENT ON ALL COURSES AVAILABLE NOW

Calne Girls Can HM Forces Discounts available for all years

Open Days: 9th November & 11th March 2024

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Inspiring you to learn, explore and achieve www.northyorks.gov.uk/adultlearning See our courses

STAN DA RD L E A R N I N G CRED ITS GUIDE TO USING YOUR STANDARD LEARNING CREDITS W H AT A RE STA NDA R D LE A R NING CREDITS? The MOD’s Standard Learning Credits (SLC) scheme provides you, as Regular and Reserve armed forces service personnel, with an incentive to professionally develop yourselves throughout your military career.

Each year (1st April – 31 March) service personnel can access up to a maximum of £175 worth of funding to be used on certain courses and qualifications. The funding can only cover 80% of the fees meaning a £200 course will only cost you £40.

Unlike funding for the Enhanced Learning Credits, the funding for Standard Learning Credits DOES NOT carry over into the next financial year and must be used within the allotted 12-month time period, otherwise they will be lost.

Ask your Education or Resettlement Clerk for further clarification on Standard Learning Credits.

Please also see JSP 822.

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ENHA N C ED L E A R N I N G CRED ITS ENHANCED LEARNING CREDITS SCHEME CHECKLIST Here we have produced a quick checklist when looking to submit a claim for your Enhanced Learning Credits.

In the first instance refer to JSP 822 - Defence Direction and Guidance for Training and Education, if you have any queries before you start to look into your educational allowance claim. ●Do you research - see what is out there in terms of training providers and what courses they offer (remember they must be ELCAS accredited to use your credits) by reading the range of resettlement publications out there, visiting forces events (such as our own National Armed Forces & Emergency Services Event) and visiting the ELCAS official website, where you can search for training providers online.

•

●Think about what fits with your long term goals and what line of training you wish to undertake.

•

●Chat to your line manager and local educational staff on camp.

•

●Complete the ELC Application Form on the official ELCAS website - www.enhancedlearningcredits.com

•

●Identify the course you wish to do on the ELCAS website

•

●If a training provider is not on the ELCAS list, ask them to become accredited, however this can take some time to process

•

●DON’T pay any initial registration fee up front from your own money as this will not be refunded.

•

●You need to submit a separate claim for each year of your chosen course. If you do not follow this process, your claim could become void.

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P RIVAT E SCHOOL, N U R SE R Y & SIXT H FORM

Experience the Moorland Difference We are a small family school located in Clitheroe, between Skipton and Preston.

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E X PE R I E N C E D MI L I TA R Y SCH OOL A boarding school for your child provides a safe, stable and balanced educational journey with minimal disruption to their progress. +44 (0) 1200 423 833 MO ORLANDSCHOOL.CO.UK

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ADVANCE YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN CAREER WITH IoSCM Prepare for a successful future with the support of IoSCM. ACHIEVE AN IoSCM QUALIFICATION IoSCM qualifications are the go-to for skill and knowledge development within the supply chain industry. Covering all aspects of the supply chain, from procurement and manufacturing through to warehousing and distribution, you can develop a broader understanding of the industry, or hone your expertise in a specific area.

FUNDING AVAILABLE IoSCM is an approved ELCAS provider, allowing military personnel and service leavers to utilise their enhanced learning credits (ELC) towards their qualifications.

Whether you are currently serving or transitioning into a civilian role, our courses are designed to benefit all.

MEMBERSHIP Obtaining membership with IoSCM demonstrates your expertise and credibility within the supply chain industry.

With access to a networking platform as well as the latest updates and resources, you’ll always be ahead of the curve.

Contact us today to find out how we can support you in taking your career to the next level.

Telephone: 0800 1422 522 Email: info@ioscm.com www.ioscm.com/contact

Learn more about IoSCM

COUNCIL FOR THE REGISTRATION OF SCHOOLS TEACHING DYSLEXIC PUPILS CReSTeD is a charity set up in 1989 to maintain a Register of Schools accredited for their provision for children with Specific Learning Difficulties. These schools cover all levels of provision for SpLD pupils and include both state and independent establishments.

Our purpose is to help parents and those who advise them choose an educational establishment, which will be critical to their child’s educational future. Our Register is a valuable resource for parents, educational advisers and schools.

CReSTeD works with support from British Dyslexia Association, Dyslexia Action, DyslexiaSpLD Trust, PATOSS and the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity. It is the key reference point and a symbol of quality when seeking a school with SpLD provision.

The CReSTeD Register covers all levels of provision for Dyslexic (SpLD) pupils. There are several lists of schools offering such provision, but only CReSTeD will visit schools using a consultant selected for their experience in the field of SpLD to ensure they meet the basic criteria set by the Council. Schools are revisited every three years to ensure the criteria are maintained.

Our website provides parents with all the information they need, whether it be finding a school or understanding our criteria.

There are six categories within our criteria according to the type of provision:

Dyslexia Specialist Provision (DSP) schools established primarily to teach pupils with Dyslexia.

Learning Support Centre (LSC) schools offer a designated unit that provides specialist tuition on a small group or individual basis, according to need.

Maintained Schools (MS) local authority schools able to demonstrate an effective system for identifying pupils with dyslexia. The British Dyslexia Association’s Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark Schols are also listed in this category.

Specialist Provision (SPS) schools are specifically established to teach pupils with dyslexia and other related specific learning difficulties.

Withdrawal System (WS) schools help dyslexic pupils by withdrawing them from appropriately selected lessons for specialist tuition.

Teaching Centre (TC) designated centre providing specialist tuition on a small group or individual basis, according to need.

Please visit our website for further information www.crested.org.uk

Unlock your future with Cranfield University short courses Are you transitioning from the military and looking to enhance your skills for a successful career in the public or private sector? We offer a range of short courses designed specifically for military leavers like you.

Our programmes provide you the knowledge and expertise needed to thrive in today’s competitive job market. Our courses include: Leadership and Management: Develop essential leadership skills that are highly valued in any industry.

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Logistics and Supply Chain Management: Translate your military logistics experience into a thriving civilian career.

Masters level (L7) Apprenticeships: Study at a Master’s level flexibly around work and other commitments.

For more information, scan the QR code or contact: E: study@cranfield.ac.uk

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Learn more

Veterans in Crisis Sunderland supporting our serving and ex-forces community in 2024.

Services include: Walking Club, Boot Camps, Coffee Mornings, Art Therapy, Outward Bound Training, Counselling, Free Gym Membership, Day Trips, help for Veterans made homeless and much more.

ERV, 1 Roker Avenue, Sunderland.

T: 0191 5671878 info@veteransinscrisis.co.uk www.veteransincrisis.co.uk

Visit us at one of our undergraduate Open Days!

It all starts with an

OPEN OPEN

OPEN

OPEN

Open Days are a great way to get a feel for what it's like to live and study at Chichester.

You’ll have the chance to visit both campuses, view some accommodation and learn more about the university and your course!

DAY! DAY! DAY! DAY! OUR OPEN DAYS:

Saturday 12 October Friday 1 November ► Saturday 23 November ► ►

SCAN TO BOOK YOUR PLACE!

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TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN SUCCESS Burnley College’s professional training arm, North West Business Training (NWBT), is committed to paving the way for you to build a successful future in civilian life.

To show our support for members of the Armed Forces and their families, we’ve signed the Armed Forces Covenant.

We offer courses in the following areas: • Engineering & Advanced Manufacturing • Construction Trades • Education & Teaching • Health & Wellbeing • Sport & Fitness • And more…

> Experienced Tutors dedicated to your success > Industry-standard facilities > Specialised support every step of the way

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