Forces Children's Education

Forces Children’s Education is dedicated to helping Armed Forces families every day of the year, providing clear and accurate information and resources.

In support of Month of the Military Child (MotMC) in April, we have compiled a digital toolkit of content to help children and young people, their families, educators and the wider community.

We hope this content will inspire, share good practice and support Forces families, while recognising the unique needs and challenges Military children and young people face, including relocations, absence of parents and carers during deployments, having to adapt to changing circumstances and switching schools.

Forces Children’s Education is run by National Education Officer (NEO) Carolyn MacLeod MBE, a former teacher whose role with the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES) is to create a blueprint for education policy affecting the movement of Forces children into, away from, and within Scotland.

Speaking about the campaign, Carolyn said: “While Month of the Military Child is only for four weeks each April, it’s important to remember that our Armed Forces community face daily challenges.

“At Forces Children’s Education, we are always extending our resources in support of children and young people from Armed Forces families – Regular, Reserve, Veteran and ex-Service –  and are the first point of contact for information regarding transitions in education and learning.

“I work closely with schools, every local authority across Scotland, children’s service partners and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to help shape policy and practice and ensure the needs of Forces children are always considered.

“It’s an honour to be responsible for children and young people of Armed Forces Families families across Scotland and at Forces Children’s Education we are delighted we can share some of our many resources in this digital toolbox.”

The resources have been split into two categories – content for families and educators.

Families

Understanding the Scottish Education System

The Scottish education system has a different curriculum and exam system. We created a guide to helping families understand the Scottish Education System.

School placements

We also have information on catchment areas for primary and secondary schools, placement requests outside your area and denominational schools.

Additional Support Needs

Find out more information on Additional Support Needs (ASN), which provides support on a short and long-term basis based on the needs of the individual child. It is a much broader term than Special Education Needs (SEN), which is used in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Let Your School Know leaflets

Download our Let Your School Know leaflets to help Forces families and schools to communicate children’s needs to aid in settling in a new area. The documents are free and available in English, Nepali and Fijian.

Transitions Guidance: Children of Armed Forces Families

This guide is one of a set of advice and guidelines from the National Education Officer to support children as they transition from different education provisions.

Transitions for Armed Forces families

This leaflet aims to help make the transition as easy as possible for families who are moving to Scotland, or who are already here but relocating to another part of the country.

UK Armed Forces Families Strategy 2022-32

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) strategy guide explains how they will support Armed Forces families over the next decade.

Identification of Armed Forces families

Guidance on letting schools and early learning centres know you are an Armed Forces family – the SEEMiS Indicator.

Notification of Parental Deployment Form

Parents and carers are encouraged to complete and return this form to their child’s school in advance of any parental deployments or absences (such as training).

Powers of Transition comic

Forces Children’s Education and partners created a special comic and set of characters to help children during their transition to the Scottish education system. The free-to-view 44-page Powers for Transition engaging comic provides contextual experiences for children and young people of Armed Forces families.

Educators

Toolkit and Advice for Teachers

Forces Children’s Education has a guidance document packed with advice and help for educators available for free download. The teachers toolkit has been developed to help staff answer the questions they will have when a pupil from an Armed Forces family joins their school. 

Let Your School Know posters

We have developed a series of Let Your School Know posters to help Forces families and schools to communicate children’s needs to aid in settling in a new area. We recommend educational facilities and community associations share these resources. These posters can be displayed in schools and other educational settings to show your support for Military families. The free-to-download posters are available in English, Nepali and Fijian.

Supporting Armed Forces families: A learning resource

Forces Children’s Education has a valuable learning resource everyone can access and work through. You can pick and choose the steps you feel are most relevant to you.

The learning material was developed by Forces Children’s Education and the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES) in partnership with Education Scotland and Forces Children Scotland (formerly the Royal Caledonian Education Trust).

Phrases for Use by Educators: When talking with pupils about war and conflict

This helpful document was created to help educators explain the increase in conflict in Ukraine, and sadly it’s still relevant today. Children of Forces families are often highly tuned to the announcements and decisions made by the UK Government. This simple document will support you when speaking with an Armed Forces child.

X-Ray of Feelings

Our friends at Little Troopers have a host of fun resources for families to help mark this special time, which can be downloaded via the Forces Children’s Education website

Activity sheets and assembly planners for teachers and schools can be downloaded from our resources section. 

Leading Education for Armed Forces Children

This guide is a national document that gives peer advice and guidance to Headteachers who have children and young people from Armed Forces families attending their schools.

Admissions guidance for Local Authorities and Schools

Guidelines on the admission of Armed Forces children agreed by local authorities and endorsed by the Scottish Government and MoD.

To learn more about the awareness month and why the annual event is important and marked with a dandelion read more.