Armed Forces
Supporting the Children of Service Personnel: The Significance of Service Pupil Premium
At Dereham Neatherd High School, we recognise and value the sacrifices made by our service personnel who dedicate themselves to protecting our nation. As part of our commitment to providing exceptional education and support, we proudly offer the Service Pupil Premium (SPP) to ensure the wellbeing and success of the children from service families. This funding, provided by the UK government, plays a crucial role in addressing the unique challenges faced by these students, helping us create an inclusive and nurturing environment for their growth and development.
What is Service Pupil Premium (SPP)?
The Service Pupil Premium (SPP) is additional funding provided to schools in the United Kingdom, specifically aimed at supporting children of service personnel. It acknowledges the distinctive circumstances faced by these students due to the mobility and deployment demands placed on their families. The SPP aims to enhance their educational experiences, ensuring they receive the care, attention and resources needed to thrive academically and emotionally.
Why is it Important to Look After the Children of Service People?
- Continuity of Education:
Service families may experience frequent relocations, which can disrupt their children's educational journeys. The SPP helps bridge any gaps that may arise due to changing schools, enabling us to provide consistent academic support and ensure a smooth transition during these periods of transition.
- Emotional Wellbeing:
The unique challenges faced by service families, such as parental deployment and separation, can have an impact on the emotional wellbeing of their children. By allocating SPP resources towards counselling services, pastoral care and additional support networks, we prioritise the emotional welfare of our service pupils, fostering resilience and providing a safe space for them to thrive.
- Tailored Support:
Every child is unique, and the SPP allows us to provide tailored support to meet the individual needs of service pupils. Whether it's specialised educational programmes, extra-curricular opportunities or additional resources, we strive to ensure that all students receive the necessary support to reach their full potential.
- Building Community:
The presence of service pupils enriches our school community with diverse experiences and perspectives. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and understanding among all students. By actively supporting and advocating for the needs of service pupils, we promote a culture of inclusivity and appreciation for the sacrifices made by their families.
At Neatherd, we are dedicated to creating an environment where the children of service personnel can thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. The Service Pupil Premium (SPP) allows us to provide the necessary resources and support systems required to address the unique challenges faced by these students. By recognising and valuing the contributions of service families, we ensure that their children receive the care and attention they deserve, enabling them to excel in their educational journey and build a strong foundation for their future success.
Our school lead for this is Helen Hunton, who can be contactable on Helen_Hunton@neatherd.org Helen is very experienced in the role of Armed Forces Champion and is highly regarded in Norfolk, taking part in a Q&A session with Captain Matt Deavin at the Norfolk Showground. She often meets with the local forces, such as those at the Robertson Barracks, Swanton Morley. The letter shared below is a letter Helen sends to all of our service families, along with a questionnaire, which helps us ensure we can support your child as best as we can.
