Festival of Friends – Supporting Our Service Families

We are proud to be taking part in the Festival of Friends project for the second year running. This national initiative helps schools to better understand, support and celebrate children from service families, including those with parents or carers in the Armed Forces.

The project aims to:

• Raise awareness of the unique experiences and challenges service children may face

• Give our service children a voice and opportunities to share their experiences

• Help staff develop a deeper understanding of how best to support service families within school

Since joining the Festival of Friends project last year, we have seen many positive changes across our school community. These include increased awareness among staff and pupils, stronger support systems for service children, and a greater sense of belonging for families connected to the Armed Forces.

As part of our commitment, we also proudly celebrate the Month of the Military Child each year. During this time, we recognise and value the important role service children play and highlight their resilience and achievements. One of the key events is Purple Up Day, where pupils and staff wear purple to show support and appreciation for children from service families.

Participation in the Festival of Friends project allows the school to reflect on its practice and make meaningful improvements. The school is also recognised and rewarded for its involvement and commitment to supporting service families.

We are excited to continue this important work and to build on the positive impact the project has already had, ensuring that all our children feel valued, understood and supported.