Swanton Morley VC Primary 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 Swanton Morley VC Primary 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 Swanton Morley VC Primary 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 Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
We also pledge the following:
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We actively promote the fact we are an Armed Forces-friendly organisation including participating in the act of Remembrance at Swanton Morley VC Primary School, remembering ALL that have fallen in past wars. We also recognise the personal sacrifice that serving personnel and veterans are making/have made for their country.
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We endeavour to offer a degree of flexibility in granting leave for Service children and allow authorised absences leading up to deployment period and home-coming parades.
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We actively participate in ‘Purple Up Day’ during month of the military child where purple is worn to show support for military children
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We maintain regular communications with the Unit Welfare team at Robertson Barracks, Swanton Morley and continue to do so to provide tailored support to students and their families aiding in building positive relationships within the local community.
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We actively participate in cultural engagement with Nepali and Fijian Armed Forces communities based at Robertson Barracks to aid in creating an inclusive environment where we acknowledge, respect and celebrate diversity within school. This is done through PHSE, RSE and PATHS lessons.
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We ensure that Service children do not become academically disadvantaged (due to being mobile students) by providing extra support in key subjects i.e. Literacy and Numeracy.
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Extra reading sessions are put in place to ensure Service children do not become academically disadvantaged by Service life. (Children who would otherwise have no adult to read to them outside of school due to varying factors)
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We provide a lunchtime drop-in session for Service children to meet other service children to aid in establishing new friendships and to obtain support if required
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We have appointed a Service Pupil Champion who is a member of the Armed Forces community and understands the unique challenges that service life can bring.
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Providing regular updates to staff on any changes in circumstances (such as deployments, postings etc) so the right level of support can be provided to students and families especially through challenging periods.
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Ensuring both parents and students have the appropriate level of support with a point of contact given if the need arises where additional support or assistance may be required in school.
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Ensuring that Service children have appropriate advice, support and guidance by carrying out regular 1:1 check-in to identify any specific needs required for individual support.
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Supporting bereaved Service children through continued staff CPD through the ‘school bereavement policy’. Child Bereavement Specialist on our Schools governing board.
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.