At Folly View Primary School, we are proud to support children from Service families. We recognise the unique experiences and challenges that come with Service life, including mobility, parental deployment, and time spent away from loved ones. Our aim is to ensure every Service child feels welcomed, supported, and able to thrive both academically and emotionally.

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Who Are Service Children?

Service children are pupils with parents or carers who are currently serving in the Armed Forces (Royal Navy, Army, or Royal Air Force), or have done so in the recent past.

We value the resilience, adaptability, and global experiences that these children bring to our school community.

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Our Commitment

We are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment where Service pupils:

• Settle quickly into school life
• Feel safe, valued, and understood
• Maintain continuity in their learning
• Build friendships and a sense of belonging

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How We Support Service Children

✦ Pastoral Support

• Designated Service Children Lead in school
• Pastoral support lead
• Emotional support during times of parental deployment
• Safe spaces and trusted adults to talk to

✦ Transition Support

• Welcome packs and buddy systems for new pupils
• Communication with previous schools to ensure smooth transitions
• Additional support when children join or leave mid-year

✦ Academic Support

• Monitoring progress to ensure continuity in learning
• Targeted support where gaps may occur due to mobility
• Adapted teaching to meet individual needs

✦ Social Opportunities

• Opportunities to connect with other Service children
• Activities and events that celebrate Service life
• Encouragement to share experiences and build confidence

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Deployment Support

We understand that deployment can be a particularly challenging time for children and families. At Folly View Primary School, we provide additional support to help pupils feel reassured and connected during periods of separation.

In-School Support

• Regular check-ins with a trusted adult
• Opportunities for children to talk about their feelings in a safe environment
• Support with managing emotions such as anxiety, worry, or sadness
• Flexible and understanding approach from staff during this time

Staying Connected

• Encouraging children to share letters, postcards, and messages
• Celebrating who we are in the Month of the military child.
• Opportunities to celebrate and recognise deployed family members

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Deployment Support Resources for Families

We also signpost families to a range of trusted organisations offering guidance and support:

🇬🇧 UK Support Organisations

• Little Troopers – resources, wellbeing support, and events for children with deployed parents
  👉 https://www.littletroopers.net

• SSAFA (Armed Forces Charity) – practical and emotional support for Service families
  👉 https://www.ssafa.org.uk

• Naval Children’s Charity – support for children of Royal Navy families
  👉 https://www.navalchildrenscharity.org.uk

• Army Families Federation (AFF) – advice and guidance for Army families
  👉 https://aff.org.uk

• RAF Families Federation (RAFFF) – support specifically for RAF families
  👉 https://www.raf-families-federation.org.uk

💬 Emotional Wellbeing Support

• Kooth – free, safe online mental health support for young people
  👉 https://www.kooth.com

• Childline – confidential support for children (call 0800 1111)
  👉 https://www.childline.org.uk

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Service Pupil Premium

The school receives Service Pupil Premium funding, which is used to provide additional support for children from Service families. This funding helps us to enhance pastoral care, improve emotional wellbeing, and ensure smooth transitions.

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Working in Partnership

We believe strong communication with families is essential. We work closely with parents, carers, and external agencies to ensure the best possible support for each child.

If your child is from a Service family, please inform the school office so we can ensure appropriate support is in place.

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Further Information

If you would like more information about how we support Service children, please contact:

Helen Cox – Service Children Lead
📞 01367240655
✉️ office@fvp.cambrianlt.org

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“We understand, we support, and we celebrate our Service families.”