Service Pupil Premium information for schools
The Service Pupil Premium (SPP) further information guidance provides further in-depth information on the Service Pupil Premium including the eligibility criteria in relation to divorced parents or step-parents and information on what happens when a child moves school after the school census date.
More information for teachers and school staff on supporting service children and understanding their needs is available from the Service Children in state schools (SCISS) handbook (PDF).
Passing information to a new school
The Pupil Information Profile supports a child’s learning by identifying their current and future learning needs. This information is intended to be passed across to the new school when the child moves.
In addition, since September 2018 the Common Transfer File (CTF) has included a specific section that schools can use to exchange information about service children’s particular needs (for example any concerns they have about the child’s responses to moving school, deployment, parental separation).
Further information around how the CTF supports better transfer of information about service children between schools can be found on the RAF Families Federation website.
- The Royal British Legion have developed a Guide for Schools with support for service children.
- The Directorate Children and Young People (DCYP) have created an information booklet titled ‘Information to support service children moving between schools' (PDF).
- The Children’s Education Advisory Service (CEAS), part of DCYP, provides advice, support and guidance regarding the educational well-being of the children and young people belonging to families in all three military services.
- The RAF Families Federation has produced a guide to funding and support for schools (and other educational settings) supporting service children. Although the booklet is titled ‘Funding and Support for RAF Children in Schools’, the majority of the content is applicable to all service children.
Thriving Lives toolkit
To help schools support their service pupils, the SCiP Alliance has produced a Thriving Lives toolkit, developed in response to a large-scale UK-wide consultation with professionals supporting service pupils.
The toolkit outlines seven principles for effective practice, a reflective-framework to follow and additional learning resources.
| Principle | Vision |
|---|---|
|
1. Our approach is clear |
Leaders' understanding and approach ensure resources and policies improve service children's outcomes |
|
2. Wellbeing is supported |
Tailored pastoral provision supports service children's mental health and wellbeing |
|
3. Achievement is maximised |
Teaching, assessment and support ensure the continuity of service children's learning and progression |
|
4. Transition is effective |
Systems and support ensure seamless transitions for service children arriving at and leaving school |
|
5. Children are heard |
Service children's diverse voices are heard and inform the support they receive |
|
6. Parents are engaged |
Strong home-school partnerships help service families feel valued as part of the school community |
|
7. Staff are well-informed |
Supportive training and networks ensure all staff understand and support each service child |