Ardvreck 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 Ardvreck 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 Ardvreck 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
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
- Armed Forces Day
We also pledge the following:
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Promoting the Armed Forces: Ardvreck School will actively celebrate and acknowledge the work of the UK Armed Forces through assemblies, Remembrance Day services, themed learning activities, and participation in national events. We will highlight the values of service, leadership, and resilience that align with our school ethos.
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Employment support to members of the Armed Forces Community: We will encourage applications from Service leavers, reservists, and military spouses for employment within the school, recognising the valuable skills and experience they bring. We will offer flexible working arrangements, where possible, to accommodate deployment cycles or other servicerelated commitments.
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Communications, engagement and outreach: We will maintain strong links with our local Armed Forces units, cadet forces, and veteran organisations. We will ensure clear communication channels so that serving families can discuss deployment-related needs confidentially with pastoral and administrative staff.
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Commercial: Where appropriate, we will seek to work with suppliers and partners who share our respect for the Armed Forces community and uphold similar values of service and integrity.
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Health: We will ensure that the wellbeing of pupils from Service families is supported through our pastoral care systems, recognising the challenges of mobility and separation. Our staff will be trained to understand and respond sensitively to the emotional and mental health needs of children and families connected to the Armed Forces.
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Housing: We will remain flexible and understanding in admissions processes and accommodation arrangements for Service families who are required to move at short notice due to postings.
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Education: At Ardvreck School, we are deeply committed to providing an exceptional, nurturing, and stable educational environment for children from Service families. We understand the unique challenges faced by Service pupils, including frequent relocations and parental deployments, and we work closely with families to ensure each child feels secure, valued, and supported both academically and emotionally. Our exceptional pastoral care lies at the heart of everything we do. Every pupil is known and cared for as an individual, with dedicated pastoral staff ensuring that each child’s wellbeing and personal development are prioritised. Teachers, tutors, and house staff maintain close communication with parents, ensuring a strong sense of partnership and continuity of care, particularly during times of family transition or deployment.
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We nurture resilience, confidence, and curiosity in our pupils through a broad and enriching curriculum complemented by a strong co-curricular programme. We aim to ensure that Service children thrive both in their learning and their personal growth, no matter how often their family circumstances may change.
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In recognition of the dedication and service of Armed Forces families, Ardvreck School proudly pledges that, with the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) in place, families will pay no more than 10% of the published boarding fee. This pledge goes hand in hand with our commitment to providing an exceptional, nurturing education and ensuring stability for Service children wherever their parents’ duties may take them.
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Civic responsibilities: We will encourage pupils to take part in community service, leadership programmes, and charitable initiatives that support the Armed Forces and veteran communities.
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Additional commitment: Ardvreck School will continue to foster an inclusive environment where Service families feel valued and supported. We will also look for opportunities to host or participate in community events that honour the Armed Forces, such as Armed Forces Day and remembrance activities.
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.