Defence Children Schools: Guidance for Service families on school admissions for September 2027 entry

 

Is your child starting primary school or moving to secondary school in September 2027?

Service families are encouraged to check admissions deadlines and start planning ahead.

If you are applying for a school place in England:

• Secondary school applications close 31 October 2026 
• Primary school applications close 15 January 2027

Admissions arrangements and deadlines vary across the UK. Families in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland should check the requirements set by their local authority or education authority.

Read the full information and find out where to access support on the Defence Children Services website: School admissions information for Service families: September 2027 entry

Wraparound Childcare (WAC) - Armed Forces Personnel Portal Beta Testing

As part of the continued development of the Armed Forces Personnel Portal (AFPP), Defence are preparing to commence the next phase of Beta testing for the Wraparound Childcare (WAC) service. They are seeking current or recent WAC users who may be interested in supporting this important activity. User participation is essential to ensuring the service meets the needs of Service Personnel and their families and has been tested by representative users prior to wider release.

Expression of Interest Required

Any Service personnel who would like to be considered for participation in the Beta testing programme, please complete the Expression of Interest survey using the link below:

Expression of Interest Survey Link

Survey Deadline - The Expression of Interest survey will close at 2359hrs on Fri 23 Oct 26.

Only individuals who complete the survey by this deadline will be considered for participation in the Beta testing programme.

The Beta testing programme is currently planned to commence from Mon 2 Nov 26 and may be conducted across multiple iterative testing periods. This approach will enable the AFPP team to gather user feedback, implement improvements and, where required, re-test enhancements before wider release.

Defence Children Services: Service Pupil Premium – register your child before 1 Oct 2026

 

 If you're a Service parent and your child attends a school in England, make sure their school knows about your Service status before 1 October 2026.

 

Eligible schools can receive £360 per eligible Service pupil through the Service Pupil Premium (SPP), helping them provide additional support for Service children.

 

Find out more about eligibility and how you can help your school access this valuable funding:

 

https://dcs.school/2026/09/11/service-pupil-premium-2026-extra-funding-for-service-children-in-england/

Armed Forces Children’s transitions between education systems – An Educators’ Toolkit

A new resource has been created for educators to support with planning transition for Service children: https://dcs.school/transition/ Families may also find the information helpful.

This toolkit has been developed specifically to help educators support armed forces children’s transitions between different education systems. Using this resource, educators can help children and young people from UK Armed Forces families experience positive transitions and thrive academically, socially and emotionally, wherever they move in the UK or overseas.

It was developed collaboratively by education practitioners and education policy professionals from across Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England. This involved officials from Government Departments, local authority officers, schools and Service charities from across the UK.

UK Boarding School Exhibition - WSBA & ESBA locations

 

UK Nursery Authority (UKNA) Q&A Session

The UKNA scheme launched on 01 September 2026.

The UKNA scheme will reimburse eligible working parents in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for the difference in in the costs of early years childcare hours, matching the “free” (Government funded) childcare hours they would be entitled to if assigned to England.

This Q&A session with the policy team is your opportunity to find out more about UKNA and to ask any questions you may have. If you are unable to attend the session please send your questions to People-AFFS-Child-Expenses@mod.gov.uk

Dial in Details:

Add the meeting to your calendar: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/318145437217141?p=mDdcsA56kwMr0TSvXd 

How to ask questions:

There will be a short presentation, after this we will take questions. We will not be able to discuss any personal details in this forum, but we are happy to talk offline at an arranged time if required.

Useful links:

For further information please visit:

The Defence Childcare Information Page on defnet or Defence Connect

Families can find further information on UK Nursery Authority on the Discover My Benefits website.

Defence Children Services students celebrate 2026 exam results

 

Students at Defence Children Services secondary schools have been celebrating throughout August, with many progressing to university, military careers and apprenticeships. Read more about this year's results at Queen Victoria School, King Richard School and St John's School:  

Defence Children Services students celebrate 2026 exam results

Exceptional GCSE Results at The Duke of York’s Royal Military School

 

The Duke of York's Royal Military School Celebrates Outstanding A Level and BTEC Results

 

13 August 2026

The Duke of York's Royal Military School Celebrates Outstanding A Level and BTEC Results

Students at The Duke of York's Royal Military School are celebrating another year of excellent A Level and BTEC results, with strong performances across a wide range of academic and vocational subjects.

Alliance Manchester Business School: Advanced Management Achievement Course (AMAC)

 

The Advanced Management Achievement Course (AMAC) is a 3-week highly specialised programme designed for officers moving into management and executive careers.

 

AMAC has a long and successful track record in helping officers make the transition from a military career to the business world after leaving the Armed Forces.  It shares the language, concepts and practices of business which are often unfamiliar to delegates.  AMAC qualification is CMI Level 8 Certificate in Strategic Direction and Leadership.

 

Gov.uk: Childcare for Service children ‘Moving to England from overseas or within the UK’ section updated

 

The gov.uk Childcare for Service Children webpage can be found at:  Childcare for Service children - GOV.UK

MOD’s Families Hub is now in its second year – have you used it yet?

Link to the Families Hub: https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/families/ 

Building Heroes Programmes - Register Now for Autumn 2026

 

Building Heroes will be welcoming learners back onto our funded training programmes from mid-September, with courses starting again across our national academy network.

Our programmes are designed specifically to support members of the Armed Forces community to gain practical skills, recognised qualifications and valuable insight into construction and built environment careers.

Depending on location and availability, our programmes include:

• Construction Multi Skills
• Green Skills and Retrofit
• Groundworks and Streetworks

We will also be launching new programmes in the new year, including Engineering and Welding.

With some courses already fully booked for the first one or two cohorts of the new academic year, now is the time to register your interest so you do not miss out on your place with Building Heroes.

Our programmes are delivered across a growing number of regions, including:

• Darlington, County Durham
• Reaseheath, Cheshire
• Ibstock, Leicestershire
• Heybridge, Essex
• Wembley, London
• Drayton, Oxfordshire
• Andover, Hampshire
• Salisbury, Wiltshire
• Plymouth, Devon

With academies located across the country, there may be a Building Heroes programme close to where you plan to resettle. This means you can gain training in the region where you hope to live after service, while also meeting employers and industry partners in that local area.

If you are within your final 18 months of service, have already transitioned from the Armed Forces, are a Reservist, or are an immediate family member keen to upskill, our programmes can help you take a positive next step.

Our training provides:

• Valuable knowledge of the construction and built environment sector
• Practical skills and recognised qualifications, which may include a Diploma, Health and Safety Award and CSCS card, depending on the programme
• Funded training to help you build confidence in your capabilities alongside specialist tutors
• Employability support, underpinned by knowledgeable employability and career coaching specialists
• Confidence and insight to support transition into civilian life
• Access to our wider support offer, including guidance, employer engagement and links to our network of industry partners
• A pathway towards meaningful second careers after service

Places are limited and demand is already high for the autumn term, so we encourage you to register your interest as soon as possible.

To find out more and apply, please visit:
www.buildingheroes.org.uk/courses

Defence children Services: Supporting Armed Forces children’s transitions between education systems - Educators’ toolkit

 
This transition resource was developed collaboratively by education practitioners and education policy professionals from across Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England. This involved officials from Government Departments, local authority officers, schools and Service charities from across the UK. It is designed to complement and strengthen existing practice, helping educators support effective transitions in educational settings.

Service parents with children who are moving schools across devolved nations may wish to highlight this guidance to the education professionals that they are liaising with.

To read the guidance in full online, please go to: Transition

There is also an option to download the whole booklet at this link: https://dcs.school/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026051504_BetweenEducationsystems_Transitionstoolkit_FINAL.pdf

Queen Victoria School, Dunblane, Scotland – Open Morning 2026 12th September 2026

 

Please contact the school to register for the open event, and for further info go to: Queen Victoria School - Boarding School, Dunblane, Scotland

A* for British Forces Cyprus schools: parents give top marks

 

Defence Children Services (DCS) schools and early years settings in Cyprus have received outstanding results in the 2026 Parent Satisfaction Survey.

Covering 1,148 pupils across early years, primary and secondary schools within British Forces Cyprus (BFC) military bases, families have reported very high levels of confidence and satisfaction across all areas of education and care.

The survey showed that:

• 100% of parents agreed their child feels safe at school
• 99% said they would recommend their child's school to another parent
• 97% said their child is happy at school and doing well
• 98% of parents with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) children said the school gives their child the support they need to succeed

School staff have been consistently praised for their warmth, dedication and professionalism, with many families highlighting the excellent support provided during deployments, transitions and the challenges faced by service families on posting.

One parent summed it up simply: "Hands down the best school my children have attended."

Leigh Drummond, Head of Defence Children Services said:

“I would firstly like to congratulate the schools and staff who earned these amazing results. I am delighted that the efforts made throughout the year by BFC staff are being recognised.

“The fantastic feedback demonstrates the staff’s commitment to nurturing and supporting the pupils in our schools, from nursery all the way up to college. Schools, and those who work in them, play a critical role in helping children thrive in full and healthy lives.

“Parental feedback is really important in allowing us to continuously improve how we develop the education we offer.”

Families were surveyed in the first half of summer term, and questions and statements were designed to align with Ofsted standards. With 20% feeding back on their thoughts and experiences, BFC families doubled the expected return rate – providing the schools with a broad range of valuable viewpoints and insights.

Areas identified for continued development include improving club booking systems, extending after-school clubs and activities, and addressing staffing consistency – and the schools are already acting on each of those points.

These results build on strong performance in two previous annual surveys. They reflect the commitment of every member of staff across DCS Cyprus to providing a safe, ambitious and supportive environment for the children of our serving community.

MOD’s Families Hub is now in its second year – have you used it yet?

 

Service Children's Progression Alliance Impact Centre Listening Tour: UK-Wide and online dates May-Oct 2026

 

Over the next few months, the Service Children’s Progression (SCIP) Alliance are hosting over 30 events across the UK to conduct discussion groups on the topic of evidence mobilisation.

 

These will be an opportunity for anyone working with Armed Forces families...

FREE Courses - RACPD & Functional Skills UK Courses

At RACPD, they have been funding Level 2 online courses for spouses and partners of currently serving personnel in Cyprus for several years. They have recently partnered with Functional Skills UK to expand their offering, enabling them to provide a wider range of fully funded courses to both serving personnel and their spouses/partners.

Please find attached a selection of posters highlighting some of the courses currently available.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Supporting service children to thrive - a new round of the Service Pupil Support Programme now open

Service life can bring unique challenges for children and young people. Frequent moves, disrupted learning and periods of separation can all add up - and they can affect how children feel, learn and achieve.