Armed Forces Children within schools across the UK
The Service Children’s Progression (SCiP) Alliance
The SCiP Alliance is a partnership of organisations focused on improving outcomes for children from Military families. The SCiP Alliance is hosted by the University of Winchester and supported by the Ministry of Defence.
The SCiP Alliance website has a number of resources for schools including research briefings around moving schools and non-operational separation (weekending), which a number of Service families within West Yorkshire may be experiencing.
In May 2020 the SCiP Alliance produced a report ‘Listening to Learn: The Voices of Service Children’. The report aims to improve understanding of how those supporting Service children put their voices at the heart of all they do.
The SCiP Alliance has produced a mapping tool which provides an overview of Service Pupil Premium statistics across England.
Linking with data from the Department for Education, as well as identifying the number of children registered for Service Pupil Premium within a Local Authority area, the mapping tool also indicates:
- The number of schools that have registered Service pupils
- The average number of Service pupils within schools that have a Service child – rating this high, medium or low in regards to the overall population
- The Local Authorities national decile by number of Service children
Number of Schools with Service Pupils on Roll in England
In his July 2019 briefing note ‘Service Child Distribution in England’, Dr Michael Hall states that at least 52% of schools across England have at least one Service child on roll. Of those schools, 50% will only have one or two Service children registered.
Thriving Lives toolkit
To help schools support their Service pupils, the SCiP Alliance has produced a Thriving Lives toolkit, developed in response to a large-scale UK-wide consultation with professionals supporting Service pupils.
The toolkit outlines seven principles for effective practice, a reflective-framework to follow and additional learning resources.
| Principle | Vision |
|---|---|
| 1. Our approach is clear | Leaders' understanding and approach ensure resources and policies improve Service children's outcomes |
| 2. Wellbeing is supported | Tailored pastoral provision supports Service children's mental health and wellbeing |
| 3. Achievement is maximised | Teaching, assessment and support ensure the continuity of Service children's learning and progression |
| 4. Transition is effective | Systems and support ensure seamless transitions for Service children arriving at and leaving school |
| 5. Children are heard | Service children's diverse voices are heard and inform the support they receive |
| 6. Parents are engaged | Strong home-school partnerships help Service families feel valued as part of the school community |
| 7. Staff are well-informed | Supportive training and networks ensure all staff understand and support each Service child |
Next: Family life for children with serving parents
Back to: The Armed Forces Community – local picture
Back to: West Yorkshire Service Pupil Premium Resource Directory