Forces Children's Education

The Forces Children’s Education team was honoured to join the other Scottish Veterans Award 2022 hopefuls at Edinburgh Castle on Tuesday, 15 March, and receive our finalist certificate. 

A special presentation ceremony was held to recognise all of the finalists and their outstanding achievements. 

We were at the Scottish @AwardsVeterans filming day at Edinburgh Castle to meet some of the finalists and those involved in making the event happen …including @SeanAMolino @JointForceAlba @ForcesChildren @gordonmichie pic.twitter.com/riG8vnfj0m

— BFBS Scotland (@BFBSScotland) March 15, 2022

The Scottish Veterans Awards – sponsored by Joint Force Alba and in association with the ABF Soldiers’ Charity – recognise veterans in areas such as business, fitness and sport, reservists’ achievements, and companies that support the Armed Forces community. 

Forces Children’s Education (FCE) – run by National Transitions Officer Carolyn MacLeod, on behalf of the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (Ades) – is a finalist in the ‘Health and Wellbeing’ category for the team’s work to support Armed Forces families and educators.

Joining Carolyn at Edinburgh Castle was Natalie Cutler, who runs FCE’s social media channels, and Connect’s Paul McGinnity and Leanne McGrath, who assist with hosting, maintaining and creating content and resources for the FCE website.  

Carolyn said: “We’re honoured to be a finalist and be recognised among so many worthy individuals and groups.

“The information we provide to Armed Forces families on the move (veterans, reserves and regular service) helps towards the wellbeing of the whole family. If the parents are well-informed about the unique Scottish education system beforehand, the move is less stressful for everyone.”

FCE’s resources include our new free poster about the resilience of children of serving, reservist and veteran families, and the benefits they bring to schools.

FCE has also created a Teacher Toolkit to support educators about the positives and challenges of children and young people from Armed Forces families, while our Understanding the Scottish Education System guide answers the crucial questions serving and veteran families will have when moving here.

A frequently updated news section keeps families updated on everything from health and wellbeing to military events, free webinars, support opportunities and family activities.