Schools
Schools can support the Armed Forces community and implement the Covenant by:
Mitigating the impacts of military life on Service children
Your school might educate:
- Children of currently serving members of the UK Armed Forces, or children of their partners or ex-partners
- Children of former members of the UK Armed Forces (‘veterans’), or children of their partners or ex-partners
- Bereaved children of a parent who died on service in the UK Armed Forces, or bereaved children of their partners or ex-partners
- Children who are currently serving Reserve members of the UK Armed Forces
- Children who are themselves veterans of the UK Armed Forces
These are called ‘Service children’. Some of these Service children might face disadvantages compared to non-Service children, arising from military life, when at your school. For example, an interrupted education caused by a mobile lifestyle. Your school might be able to mitigate some of these disadvantages.
Your school might also have opportunities to offer special provision to those children sacrificing the most, such as the bereaved.
Find out more about mitigating the impacts of military life and offering special provision.
Find out about the Thriving Lives Toolkit for schools, which helps schools ensure they provide effective support to Service children.
Since November 2022, governing bodies of certain state-funded schools have been legally obliged to have due regard to the Covenant principles when carrying out certain functions. Find out more about the Covenant Legal Duty.
Employing members of the Armed Forces community
Your school might employ:
- Currently serving Reserve members of the UK Armed Forces
- Family members of someone currently serving, or someone formerly serving, in the UK Armed Forces
- Veterans of the UK Armed Forces
You can be a Forces friendly employer of members of the Armed Forces community, receive awards that recognise your commitment to the Covenant, and get help and advice. Find out more about employing members of the Armed Forces community.
Show your support
Sign the Covenant, apply for Covenant funding, or use the Covenant branding. Find out more about showing your support.
