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.  

Primary School Offer Day information and support for Service families

To support Service families with further information on Primary School place offers, Defence has provided this infographic.  A PDF version with accessible hyperlinks is at this PDF with links or please see links below:

Starting Reception website 

General Gov.uk guidance on school admissions and appeals

Defence Children Services (DCS)

Education Advisory Team email address: RC-DCS-HQ-EAT@mod.gov.uk

Defence’s Wraparound Childcare (WAC) scheme

April is the Month of the Military Child – get involved!

April is the Month of the Military Child – an annual initiative to recognise and celebrate the remarkable children and young people in our Armed Forces community.

 

This campaign is led by the Education Policy Team within the Defence Children Services (DCS), who are responsible for the equality of delivery, support and outcomes of education and safeguarding for Service children and MOD entitled civilians in accompanied postings overseas.

Introducing the Continuity of Education Allowance advisory helpdesk

Introducing the Continuity of Education Allowance advisory helpdesk

A new team is ready to help you with questions about Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA).

Moving around for your work in the Armed Forces can make it hard to keep your children's education on track. This is where CEA comes in – helping your children stay settled in education, even when Service life means your family must move.

Here to help
Sometimes, working out if you’re eligible to claim CEA – or how to claim it – can feel complicated and confusing, as every situation is different. That’s why we've set up a new team in the Pay and Allowances Casework and Complaints Cell (PACCC) to assist.

From 1 April 2026, the CEA advisory helpdesk will provide a group of experts to help you, your family, or your Unit HR team with any tricky questions about the allowance.

Whether you're trying to understand the rules or need help with a complex case, the team will point you to the right people and make sure you get clear guidance.

The new helpdesk works alongside the Education Advisory Team (EAT) (UK) service within Defence Children Services (DCS). This remains available to provide professional, independent advice, guidance, and support to Service families on children’s education – covering school admissions, Special Educational Needs Allowance (SENA), and boarding school applications (including schools not currently on the Boarding School Database).

CSF Education

Free Childcare for Armed Forces Families at The National Transition Event – Silverstone, 2 Mar

 

For the first time ever, the National Transition Event has partnered with RAFA Kidz to provide a free, professionally staffed crèche service for members of the Armed Forces Community with children aged 2–4 years, allowing more members of our fantastic community to attend.

Armed Forces Education Trust: Supporting Service Children in Education

 

Business Start Up Programme for Cyprus

BFBS AI Skills Programme For Military Partners!!

RAF Association - Women's Wellbeing Network

You may already be familiar with the Network, which launched on International Women’s Day in 2025. It provides a supportive, open, and encouraging environment for serving women to explore and develop their understanding of a wide range of topics that can affect day-to-day life.

The Network delivers 20 expert-led webinars over a two-year period, covering subjects such as women’s health, work–life balance, finances, and inspirational talks, among many others. In addition, they have a growing WhatsApp group where members can connect, share experiences, and network with one another.

The latest programme of webinars can be found in the image above.

To book onto the sessions, please visit their website: Women's Wellbeing Network - The Royal Air Forces Association

To listen to past recordings, please click this link and find the recording you want.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the Network further, please contact chloe.hulbert-rawnsley@rafa.org.uk

Bath Spa University - Upcoming Free Courses in Wiltshire and Online

Bath Spa University have two upcoming courses for military partners, both of which are fully funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.

Bath Spa University - Upcoming Free Courses in Wiltshire and Online

 

Bath Spa University have two upcoming courses for military partners, both of which are fully funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: