Tots of Fun session on the 28th November 2024 between 09:30 and 11:00

 

The Impact of VAT changes on the Continuity of Education Allowance

In the Budget speech The Chancellor of the Exchequer has confirmed that the government will remove the VAT exemption for private schools from 1 January 2025.  

For families claiming the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) this is likely to increase private school fees.  

To minimise the impact of this change, the Secretary of State has directed that the CEA rate cap will be uprated, to ensure it continues to pay up to 90% of school fees for eligible claimants.

New information on school admissions and education support to Service families

Defence Children Services and Education Advisory Team (UK) have released some new information for Service families. 

This includes guidance about key dates related to school admissions which are coming up; the first of these is October 31st for families who have a child due to start secondary school in September 2025. 

There are also leaflets explaining the support available from EAT (UK) and the Overseas Education and Supportability Team (OEST):​

• Letter for families
• Top Tips Information sheet with some FAQ
• EAT(UK) leaflet
• OEST leaflet

​DCS also has a new website with comprehensive information for Service families: www.dcs.school

Duke of York's Royal Military School - Cyprus Visits 10-15 Oct

Click here to visit the DOYRMS website 

Funded Early Years Childcare Overseas – Briefing Note

FUNDED EARLY YEARS CHILDCARE - OVERSEAS

Assigned overseas with young children? Find out if you can benefit from an expansion to funded childcare.

The Ministry of Defence have expanded the childcare offer for families assigned overseas with 9 months – 4-year-old children, to reflect the offer available in England. 

Early Years funded childcare overseas and definitions of funded universal childcare, working families and additional working families entitlement:

Help your child’s school to access Service Pupil Premium funding

Help your child’s school to qualify for the Service Pupil Premium by informing them of your Service status by 3 October 2024.

State schools, academies and free schools in England, which have children of Service families in the school years from Reception to Year 11, can receive Service Pupil Premium (SPP) funding. 

The Department for Education (DfE) provides extra funding – £340 per pupil – to help schools to support Service children.

It is for the school to decide how the money is spent, but support is often provided through pastoral support and can help to mitigate the impact of family mobility or parental deployment. 

The funding can be used for individual pupils or added to larger support projects.

Defence Children Services (DCS): Potential Delays for Education Advisory Team (UK) Responses

Defence Children Services (DCS) have advised that there may be a delay in responses to enquiries, guidance requests and casework due to current staff shortages.  A letter has been provided which explains further, and gives details on potential timelines for service delivery.  

To read the letter please use this link 

For further information on DCS and EAT(UK)

A Level and BTEC Successes at The Duke of York’s Royal Military School

Students at the Duke of York’s Royal Military School are celebrating success at A Level, with well over half of all of grades being A* - B, BTEC with an average of Distinction*, and 85% achieving A* - C grades.

Subsequently, most students now head off to university, attending elite institutions on highly competitive courses. Several students will begin military careers, while others have chosen apprenticeships, including Daniel Ibikunle who will begin an apprenticeship in Nuclear Engineering, whilst India Allen will begin her career at BAE Systems.

Apart Not Alone: Support For Serving Families

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has launched the second in a series of new Covenant Fund programmes under its exciting three-year Funding Framework. 

Apart Not Alone: Support for Serving Families programme is now open for applications for grants between £5,000 and £15,000 for projects that will help to mitigate the impact of long or frequent involuntary separation for families, spouses, and serving personnel, including Reservists and their families.

The Trust ran a public consultation in 2023, which identified that one of the key areas to focus on was ‘Reducing stress and challenges for Armed Forces families. This family focused programme will address the unique needs of serving Armed Forces families facing long and/or frequent involuntary separation which can have significant impact on different aspect of family life. The consultation findings are available to read on The Trust website.  

What is the Apart, Not Alone programme all about? 

 Apart Not Alone: Support For Serving Families will support projects which achieve one or more of the following outcomes:   

* Improved mental health and wellbeing for serving families. 

* Enhanced access to support and activities that improve quality of life for serving families. 

* Improved understanding of effective models of support for serving families.  

* Supporting the reintegration of Service personnel back into their family homes and units after separation through developing and piloting new approaches. 

Who can apply?   

The Trust is inviting applications from UK-based registered charities, Community interest Companies (CIC) with substantial recent experience of supporting Armed Forces communities, and Armed Forces units or bases.

 What type of projects are The Trust looking to support?   

 Projects that can significantly benefit Armed Forces families impacted by frequent or long periods of involuntary separation. You will need to show that your project will address current and immediate needs identified within the community and how you have identified any gaps in support or provision.

The programme is now open for applications and the closing date is 12 noon on 25 September 2024.

Anna Wright, Chief Executive at the Trust said: “We’ve designed the Apart, Not Alone programme, with community feedback, to help with issues such as emotional wellbeing, mental health, social connections and other issues which can arise from long or frequent separations due to Service. This is the second in an exciting series of new programmes we

are launching, which all aim to have an important impact on the quality of life for members of our Armed Forces community.” 

Find out more 

Full details of this exciting new programme, including eligibility and how to apply, can be found on the Trust’s website: www.covenantfund.org.uk 

Keep up to date with funding opportunities 

For the latest updates and announcements on each of the Covenant Fund programmes, and any other funding opportunities the Trust has available throughout the year, sign up to their e-newsletter via their website www.covenantfund.org.uk 

Open Morning at Queen Victoria School, Dunblane on Saturday 21 September 2024

 

Families are welcome to find out more by contacting Admissions on +44 (0) 131 310 2927 or email qvs.admissions@modschools.org www.qvs.school.

Training Opporutnity -XForces

Award in Support Work in Schools and Colleges

 

School Admissions: Which primary/ Secondary School will My Child Attend?

The UK Government website has information and guidance on school admissions with links to support those who have applied for school places in each of the four countries.

To view the and download the document use this link. (Google Drive.)

If you are viewing this from an MoD computer the Google Drive Link will not be accessible. please contact your local HIVE and they will be happy to send you a copy.

Month of the Military Child 2024

Each April, we celebrate Month of the Military Child, a time to recognise the important role that military children play in the wider armed forces community.

We invite individuals, organisations, schools and groups to participate in Month of the Military Child this year through 3 key activities:

1: For the 3rd year running, we are holding a poetry and art competition, with the theme: Life As a Dandelion. The competition is open to young people 6-18 and begins 1 April and entries must be received by 3 May. Winners announced 27 May and winners will be invited to London in June to receive their certificates and a special day out. Each winner will also receive a £25 Amazon Gift Voucher and a goodie bag! One lucky school will also receive a £250 Book Grant. Cash prizes were very kindly donated by the Armed Forces Education Trust!

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Service Pupil Support With New Round of Funding

Great news for schools supporting Service children in the UK! The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has announced a new round of the Service Pupil Support Programme.

Part of the MOD’s Armed Forces Families Fund (AF3), the Service Pupil Support Programme will award grants of £5,000 to £80,000 to projects supporting Service children along their educational pathway.

Celebrate the Month of the Military Child with Little Troopers

April is the international month of the military child. Little Troopers has organised a  month packed full of events, workshops and downloadable activities, so wherever you live, your little troopers can get involved.

Defence Children Services, Education Advisory Team (UK) - School Place Offers & Appeal Advice

There are some key dates coming up for families who have children due to start primary or secondary school in September 2024. 

Defence Children Services Education Advisory Team (UK) have prepared an information sheet, which offers advice to families about responding to the school places they have been offered for their children should it be needed.  This guidance is relevant UK-wide.​

For further information use this link

Attenborough School Term Dates 2024

 

Tri Service Spouses & Partners: Free Self-Employment Discovery 3-Day Course

X Forces are excited to relaunch their popular 3-day Self-Employment Discovery Workshop designed exclusively for Tri-Service spouses and partners, looking to explore alternative employment options. This is an amazing opportunity to develop valuable enterprise skills, learn about the start-up landscape, and network with others going on a similar journey. ​

For more information

National Apprenticeship Week 5th-11th February

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2024 is the 17th annual celebration of apprenticeships.

The week brings together everyone passionate about apprenticeships to celebrate the value, benefit and opportunity that they bring.

Learn more about apprenticeships programmes here