Education is a devolved matter. Wales has a unique education system distinct from other nations within the United Kingdom.
Service children may have been educated in Wales all their lives but equally may be arriving in Wales from:
Service children bring a diverse range of strengths and experiences to a school community and will have a variety of learning experiences from previous schools to share e.g. experiencing different cultures, language. They may also experience challenges such as multiple moves, a sense of loss and separation impacting their educational journey. These are recognised as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
It is important for educators in Wales to recognise that education in Wales may be very different from previous experiences for the Service child and their parent. Differences can include;
Targeted support may be required to promote a better understanding of these differences and address any challenges that may arise from them.
The Defence Children Services transition resource; Supporting Armed Forces children’s transitions between education systems – Educator's toolkit includes advice on transitions as well as an information launchpad providing comparisons between nations to help educators support effective transitions. This resource has been developed collaboratively by education practitioners and education policy professionals from across Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England.
The Curriculum for Wales aims to inspire learners, giving them the skills and foundations to succeed in a changing world and become adaptable, motivated lifelong learners.
Four Purposes are at the heart of the Welsh curriculum and embedded in the life and work of schools. They set the aspiration that children and young people should be
Ambitious, capable learners who are ready to learn throughout their lives
Enterprising, creative contributors who are ready to play a full part in life and work.
Healthy, confident individuals who are ready to lead fulfilling lives as valued members of society.
Ethical, informed citizens who are ready to be citizens of Wales and the world.
For more information on the Curriculum for Wales;
Welsh is a statutory part of education in Wales and is taught to all learners up to age 16. For children moving into Wales, learning Welsh may be a new experience bringing both excitement and anticipation.
Please see the Learning Welsh page for more information.
In Wales, the term Additional Learning Needs (ALN) refers to children and young people aged 0 to 25 who have learning difficulties or disabilities which call for additional learning provision.
The Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 (the ALNET Act), the statutory ALN Code for Wales 2021 and supporting regulations, set out the legal framework for meeting the additional learning needs (ALN) of children and young people aged 25 or under in Wales. This legal framework is called the ALN system. This replaced the old Special Educational Needs (SEN) system. The ALN system aims to ensure that all children and young people in Wales with learning needs receive the support they need to thrive in education
More information about the ALN system and support available in Wales can be found via;
A notable feature of the school is the provision for supporting pupils from Service families. The Little Troopers club gives pupils from these families an opportunity to articulate their experiences and emotions. School ensures that the well-being and self-esteem of these pupils is a high priority. Staff provide a range of meaningful activities at the school to ensure that pupils feel valued and appreciated, for example Forces Fun Day, where Service families and their children from the locality are invited to a fun day of activities.
Estyn are the education and training inspectorate for Wales. Their purpose is to inspect the quality and standards of education and training in Wales.
Children of Armed Service families are included under section 1.2 Support for vulnerable learners in the guidance for inspectors handbook What we inspect: Local government education services.
Estyn’s handbook What we inspect - Maintained schools and pupil referral units - September 2026 sets out what inspectors need to consider when evaluating the three inspection areas in maintained schools (primary, secondary, all-age and special schools) and pupil referral units (PRUs). This document contains the following focus for each of the three inspection areas:
Although not explicitly mentioned, Service children would be considered on an inspection in the categories 'those at risk of adverse outcomes' or 'other identified barriers to make progress'
This helps to raise awareness of Service children in schools and local authorities; and encourages schools to monitor their progress and outcomes of this particular group of leaners.
All 22 local authorities in Wales are required to follow the guidance provided in the School Admissions Code.
Sections of the Code that include reference to Service children;
Schools need timely, high-quality information about a pupil’s previous attainment, progress and needs to ensure continuity when they move schools. SSCE Cymru recommends that previous and receiving schools collaborate to improve information sharing and securely transfer records in line with the Pupil Information Regulations.
Further guidance on transition can be found in;
Supporting Armed Forces children’s transitions between education systems – Educator's toolkit
Aspects of military life, whether it be operational tours, rigid shift patterns or other unpredictable demands may prevent service families taking holidays together outside term-time. As with all children at school, the decision on whether to authorise term-time holidays for the children of Service personnel sits solely with the head teacher of their school. Further guidance on term-time absence can be found via the links below;
"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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