SSCE Cymru understands that because one or both of your parents may currently or have previously served in the Armed Forces, you may have faced unique experiences at home and at school.
You may have lived abroad, moved schools and homes during the middle of the year, made new friends, experienced one or both of your parents being away for work, or had to support a friend during one of these experiences. Lots of these experiences can be really exciting and interesting, but they can also be challenging. Every child deals with the emotions they feel during these experiences in different ways.
The purpose of the SSCE Cymru programme is to ensure that teachers and staff in schools in Wales understand what experiences and challenges you may have faced because of the lifestyle of an Armed Forces family. SSCE Cymru provides resources that help schools to support Service children to make sure you have the most positive experiences while attending a school or schools in Wales.
51% made negative comments about leaving friends/family, while 31% made positive comments about meeting new people/making friends.
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Wales is a nation within the United Kingdom (UK) that has the responsibility of making many of its own decisions regarding education.
It has many similarities to the other nations within the UK, but also many differences.
Located to the west of England, Wales has the same timezone (GMT) and uses the same currency (pound sterling) as England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Cardiff is the capital city of Wales.
Wales is a nation that is very proud of its culture and heritage. The red dragon, daffodils and leeks are some of the national symbols of Wales. The national anthem is 'Hen Wlad fy Nhadau' (Land of my Fathers).
Further information about Wales can be found here.
The feast day of St. David, the patron saint of Wales, is 1st March. In many schools across Wales, this day is marked by special activities, and some children wear traditional Welsh costumes; others may wear rugby shirts or take in leeks and daffodils.
The Eisteddfod (pronounced eye-steth-vod) is a Welsh festival of music, literature and performance. Some schools in Wales create their own Eisteddfod as part of their St. David’s Day celebrations. This can include making arts and crafts, and writing or reciting songs and poems. These events and activities can take place in English and in Welsh.
Further information on St. David’s Day can be found here.
The education system in Wales used to resemble the structure set up in England, with maintained schools (most state schools) following the National Curriculum. However, from September 2022 a new curriculum was introduced that has been created in Wales by teachers, partners, practitioners and businesses. The age of a child on 1 September determines when they need to start primary school.
From September 2022, phases and key stages were replaced with one continuum of learning from ages 3 to 16 in each of the new areas of learning. The areas are:
- Expressive arts
- Humanities
- Health and wellbeing
- Science and technology
- Mathematics and numeracy
- Languages, literacy and communication.
In addition, literacy, numeracy and digital skills will be embedded throughout all curriculum areas.
This charity supports primary school children of Service families, providing advice and resources to support children in the classroom and at home.
You will need a log in to access some of the resources below.
Relevant resources
This organisation uses books to bring Service children and families closer together. Its shared reading initiative encourages families to read, talk and scrapbook about a book, improving communication and enriching relationships with books and each other.
Relevant resources
"Our aim is to help fund the education of the children of servicemen and women who have been disadvantaged by their parents’ service. We also provide schools with funding for additional resources to support the education of children whose parents serve or have served in our Armed Forces."
Relevant resources
Meic is the helpline service for children and young people aged 25 and under in Wales.
From finding out what’s going on in your local area to help dealing with a tricky situation, Meic will listen even when nobody else will.
If you need advice, connection, or just someone to listen, you’re in the right place. Share what’s on your mind in our Discussion Boards, join a Support Group for real-time support or chat one-to-one with our trained team. However you reach out, we’re here for you.
If you need support with your mental health but don’t know where to turn, our Heads Together Charity Partners are there for you.
Whoever you are and whatever you’re going through, talking it through can help and it’s important you know you’re not alone. We all struggle with our mental health at times, and we all need support.
Growing up is a challenge for everyone, but for some it’s more difficult. Barnardo’s offer practical and emotional support so that young people can enter adulthood with the confidence they need to achieve their full potential.
Relevant resources
This organisation provides support services directly to the Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marines Reserve, Army Reserve and Royal Auxiliary Air Force, and their Cadets.
Relevant resources
CWVYS (the Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Services) is the independent representative body for the voluntary youth work sector in Wales.
The aims are to represent, support and give a collective voice to its membership of national and local organisations in their work with over 250,000 young people in Wales. CWVYS works in partnership with agencies promoting good youth work practice.
Family Information Services (FIS) are the first point of contact for advice and information on local services for families and carers.
"Gynted ag ydych yn dod i arfer i dŷ, rydych yn cael eich symud – rwyf wedi bod mewn pedair ysgol ac wedi symud chwech gwaith."
Aiden
"Roeddwn i’n byw yn Nepal, yna aethom i Brunei, yna Malaysia."
Ashim
"Drwy fy llygaid i mae gennych gannoedd o ffrindiau mewn llefydd gwahanol."
Chloe
"Dwi di arfer symud rŵan a chymysgu gyda’r plant... Dwi di neud o gymaint o weithiau mae’n rhywbeth arferol rŵan."
Chloe
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