New education toolkit to support children and young people
A new toolkit has been launched to help educators across the UK support children and young people from Armed Forces families as they move between education systems.
While moving is a familiar part of life for many military families, it can mean children having to adapt to different schools and curriculums. While each move brings different experiences, having the right support at the right time can help them settle more quickly.
The Transition Resources toolkit provides practical guidance for sending and receiving schools, including structured transition activities, information on curriculum differences across the four UK nations, guidance on qualifications and links to key resources and sources of support.
The toolkit can be used as a complete resource or accessed in sections.
Carolyn MacLeod MBE, a former teacher and ADES National Education and Transitions Officer, chaired the UK Nations group responsible for developing the resource.
She said: “It has been my honour and pleasure to work closely with colleagues across the four UK nations and Defence Children Services (DCS) overseas in the development of this resource. Focusing on educational transitions across jurisdictions with systems that were not designed to be compatible was a challenge, yet the level of commitment, willingness and cooperation of those involved in this project has been immense.
“The collaboration in development of the toolkit was strengthened by keeping the needs of the child firmly at the centre of our work and maintaining a regular dialogue with educators – early years, special, primary and secondary settings across the UK.”
The toolkit was developed in response to feedback from educators who highlighted the need for accessible information about the UK’s various education systems and examples of effective practice to support Forces families.
Carolyn added: “As educators, you told us through surveys and focus groups that you wanted links to both authoritative information and case study examples of good, interesting or effective practice. The purpose of this transition toolkit resource is to meet that requirement.”
The toolkit is hosted by DCS through the Discover My Benefits website, with each of the four UK nations providing access through their own education systems.
More for Families
We have lots of useful guides for families of school-age young people in our Families section.
More for Educators
Our Educators section is filled with valuable information for teachers of Forces children across Scotland.