Service Pupils and Families
Supporting our Service community
At Hadleigh High School, we are proud to support pupils and families connected to the Armed Forces.
We recognise that being part of a Service family can bring experiences that are different from those of other young people. Deployments, exercises, training, periods of separation, moving home or school and changes to family routines can all affect a young person's experience of school.
At the same time, Service pupils bring many strengths to our school community, including resilience, adaptability, independence and a broad understanding of different people and places.
We want our Service pupils to feel that Hadleigh High School is a place where they are understood, supported, valued and connected.
Our support is shaped around the individual needs of each pupil. We recognise that every Service family is different, and that not every pupil will need the same type or level of support.
What is a Service pupil?
A Service pupil is a child or young person whose family has a connection with the Armed Forces.
This can include pupils who have a parent or carer serving in the Regular or Reserve Armed Forces, as well as pupils who meet other Service child criteria used for educational support.
Every Service family has a different experience. Some families may experience regular deployments and moves, while others may remain in the same community for many years.
We do not make assumptions about what a Service pupil needs. Instead, we aim to understand each young person’s circumstances and provide support when it is helpful.
Why tell us that your child is a Service pupil?
We encourage families to let us know about their Service connection, even if their child is currently doing well.
There are two simple ways to let us know:
Email us
You can email support@hadleighhigh.net to let us know that your child is a Service pupil.
Please let us know if there is anything about your family’s circumstances that you would like us to be aware of, particularly if a deployment, posting, move or period of separation may affect your child.
You can contact us at any stage. You do not need to wait until there is a problem before getting in touch.
Update your child's Arbor profile
You can also update your child's information directly through Arbor.
When updating your child's profile, please tick the Service Pupil box to let us know that your child is part of a Service family.
This helps us to identify Service pupils and ensure that we can offer appropriate support and opportunities.
Why tell us?
Knowing that a pupil is part of a Service family helps us to:
- understand their circumstances;
- provide appropriate pastoral support;
- recognise when a deployment or family change may affect them;
- support pupils through periods of separation;
- help with transitions when families move;
- connect pupils with other Service children;
- make families aware of relevant support and events.
Early communication means that we can be proactive rather than waiting until a pupil is struggling.
Support at Hadleigh High School
We have a dedicated member of staff who acts as a point of contact for our Service pupils and families.
They provide a friendly and consistent person for pupils and families to talk to, help pupils access support within school, and signpost families to specialist organisations where appropriate.
Service Pupil Drop-In
Our fortnightly Service Pupil Drop-In provides a relaxed and informal space for Service pupils to come together.
It is a place where pupils can:
- chat with other Service pupils;
- share their experiences;
- support and encourage one another;
- make new friendships;
- talk about deployment or separation;
- discuss moving school or moving home;
- ask for advice or support;
- or simply spend time with people who may understand their experiences.
There is no requirement to be experiencing a problem to attend.
Sometimes simply knowing that there are other pupils who have experienced similar things can make a real difference.
The drop-in helps us build a supportive Service pupil community at Hadleigh High School, where pupils can talk openly, look out for one another and feel that they belong.
Service Pupil and Family Events
Throughout the school year, we will provide opportunities for Service pupils and their families to come together and connect with other members of our Service community.
These events will give families the opportunity to meet one another, share experiences and take part in activities together.
Details of upcoming events will be shared through Arbor.
As our programme may develop and change from year to year, families are encouraged to look out for Arbor communications for the latest information.
Deployment support
If a parent or carer is going on deployment, please let us know by emailing support@hadleighhigh.net.
Knowing about a deployment allows us to consider whether a pupil may benefit from additional contact or support before, during or after the deployment.
Every young person responds differently to separation. Some may want to talk about what is happening, while others may prefer things to continue as normally as possible.
We will always take an individual, sensitive and flexible approach, based on what is right for each pupil.
You do not need to wait until there is a problem before contacting us.
Additional support for Service families
There are a number of organisations that provide specialist advice, resources and support for Service children and their families.
Defence Children Services
The Education Advisory Team (UK) provides educational advice and support for Service families, including guidance around education, admissions, SEND and educational continuity.
Little Troopers
Little Troopers supports children who have one or both parents serving in the British Armed Forces. It provides resources and activities to help families manage separation, deployment and other aspects of Service life.
Service Children's Progression Alliance
The SCiP Alliance brings together organisations working to improve outcomes for children from Armed Forces families and provides research, guidance and resources for Service children, families and professionals.
Dandelion Military Families
Dandelion Military Families provides peer support for members of the military community, including online individual and group support.
Armed Forces Education Trust
The Armed Forces Education Trust provides grants to support children and young people whose education has been disadvantaged or put at risk as a result of their parent's current or past Service.
Scotty's Little Soldiers
Scotty's Little Soldiers supports children and young people who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the Armed Forces, providing specialist bereavement and wellbeing support.
Never Such Innocence
Never Such Innocence gives children and young people opportunities to explore conflict, remembrance and the experiences of those affected by war through creative activities including poetry, art and music.