Alexander First School
We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.
The Armed Forces Covenant
An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families
The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.
Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.
This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.
Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant
1.1 We Alexander First School will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment
2.1 Alexander First School recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
- Armed Forces Day
- Reserve Forces Day
- Armed Forces Charities
We also pledge the following:
Health and healthcare Promoting awareness-raising schemes, such as veteran-friendly accreditation for GP practices and the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance. Education Adapting our curriculum timetable to support military parents where deployments or exercise may impact their ability to engage in their child’s educational life. For example, changing scheduled parents’ evenings, assemblies or performances when large deployments are in place. Pursuing rapid SEND support for our Service pupils who are often impacted by mobility- this includes EHCP applications and referrals to outside agencies such as Educational Psychologists and Behaviour Support Promoting and making use of the provisions for Armed Forces families in the School Admissions Code (England), for example by allocating school places in advance of a family arriving in a local area. Promoting and using resources such as the Service Children Progression Alliances Thriving Lives Toolkit. Developing a clear strategy for the effective use of any dedicated funding (for example the Service Pupil Premium in England) in support of Service pupils. Supporting and promoting the wellbeing of Service children, recognising the particular experiences and challenges they may face. Civic responsibilities Organising and promoting remembrance and other ceremonial activities. Promoting the community and supporting the mental health and wellbeing of Service spouses and partners by hosting events such as ‘Mums’ Night Off’ events at school (teachers/staff provide childcare in the evening whilst mums/carers attend a themed event such as bingo, pizza night, games night to support community spirit and mental wellbeing, especially during deployments)
2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.