In collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, the Department for Education has jointly published new non-statutory guidance for schools to help them support service families and pupils.
The guidance brings together several separate pieces of existing guidance into one place.
It also provides some new advice on the use of the Service Pupil Premium which was introduced in April 2011 and provides additional funding to schools to help them to mitigate the negative impact of Service Pupils high mobility rates and offer pastoral and academic support during times of family separation.
Education Minister Stephen Morgan MP, said:
“Through our Plan for Change we are focused on breaking the link between young people’s background and their future success.
“Military families make a huge sacrifice for serving this country and their children face unique challenges that can impact their learning, from family members being in active warzones to frequently having to move schools.”
On support for service family children, the Portsmouth MP added:
“We provide a range of support for service families and their children to help break down the barriers they face. This includes additional funding for schools through the Service Pupil Premium, giving priority to service children in the admissions process and ensuring there is a school place for every service pupil returning to England from overseas bases.
“To build on this the Government has published new guidance for schools to help them to provide the targeted support service children need to achieve and thrive.”
The new guidance can be found here.
