Raglan CIW VC Primary School recently completed an inspiring project that placed the experiences of Service children (SSCE pupils) at the heart of school life. What began as a response to pupils expressing that their unique backgrounds were often overlooked has become a powerful example of how storytelling, creativity, and collaboration can drive real inclusion.
SSCE pupils created personal story maps, sharing their journeys, challenges, and triumphs in small groups supported by staff. These reflections were then transformed into a short film, developed in partnership with Big Foot Education, showcasing the voices of Service children and their families. The film not only included stories from Raglan CIW VC Primary School but also featured Service children and family members from Overmonnow Primary School, Usk CIW Primary School, Trellech Primary School, and Kymin View Primary School.
It was fantastic to see such a collaborative effort across this cluster of schools, working together to raise awareness of the lives and experiences of Armed Forces families in the local area. The film, which combined personal accounts with informative statistics, helped educate viewers on the realities of life in an Armed Forces family, while celebrating the resilience and strength these children show every day.
Through this project, pupils developed key skills in literacy, numeracy, communication, and digital media. Staff also benefited from professional development, ensuring the project has a sustainable impact within schools.
The final film premiered in May at a special event attended by families, governors, school staff, local authority representatives, and members of the wider Armed Forces community. It was a moving and celebratory occasion, highlighting the diversity and strength within our schools. The film has since been shared on social media, continuing to promote understanding and inclusion in the wider community.
SSCE Cymru is proud to reflect on this collaborative project as a shining example of how schools can come together to elevate the voices of Service children within education and would like to thank all the young people involved in this amazing project for sharing their experiences. You are stars!
Please follow this link to view the film Military Me: Born to be brave
"Being a military child is hard, but it also gets you a lot of new experiences that I wouldn't have experienced otherwise".
Esme-Jane
"For military children they [Mount Street Junior School] do a club called Little Troopers, they've done a Remembrance service, purple up day. We celebrate Holi and Dawali".
Arushi
"My Mum is my parent that is in the Armed Forces. She is a reservist. So when I was younger it was a lot worse, she travelled around a lot. I've lived in the same house my whole life, but she has moved around me. I was in a constant cycle of saying goodbye".
Emma
"My Dad, he's in the Army and he works in the Engineers and he goes away on week days and comes back on weekends"
Emily
"Dad often goes away. It is a bit worrying not knowing where your Dad is going. It does worry me and my sister. Yeah, you just never know when he's coming home".
Joe
"In June or July, my Dad is going away quite far. He's in the Army, he's a chef. Having your Dad gone is so sad."
Josie
"I've lived in many places. So, I was born in Cyprus, after that I've been to Germany, then I went to this place called Stafford. Then another place which is Wales."
Dominic
"I've moved seven times in fourteen years."
Lilia
"Now we've got a forever home. I never have to worry about leaving or how long until I am leaving. I feel like I belong here a lot more, that's always great."
Oliver
"As soon as we get used to a house, you get moved - I’ve been to four schools and moved six times."
Aiden
"I lived in Nepal, then we went to Brunei, then Malaysia."
Ashim
"In my eyes, you have hundreds of friends in different places."
Chloe
"I’m used to moving now and mixing with the children... I’ve done it so many times, it’s just a normal thing now."
Chloe
"It's ok talking over skype and that, but sometimes you just want a hug when Dad is away."
Georgia
"He signed off last week, so he will be done by the end of this year. He’s done 24 years. I find that better because he will be around a lot. He likes watching us playing rugby, so he will get to see us more."
Lewis
"I’ve enjoyed going around to lots of places around the world, it's adventurous and exciting."
Harry
"In my eyes, you have hundreds of friends in different places."
Ieuan
"My mum got a chalk board and it says how many sleeps on it with chalk, every minute it’s getting closer for him coming home."
Mia
"I don’t want him to get promoted... I want him to get promoted but I don’t want to leave."
Oliver
"I might be going to boarding school so that I don’t change schools every few years."
Ryan
"I've been to seven different schools; I’ve not stayed put in one school long enough."
Shana
"He has been away for six months and he is back for two weeks, then he goes away again."
Sianed
"My parents were in the Army. My mum is a like a nurse and my dad went to the war in Afghanistan. I actually didn’t really know what he was doing so I was like, ‘Cool Dad, go there,’ but then I found out and thought, 'Thank God he came back alive.'"
Sanjog
"I’m going to a new place entirely. They don’t know anything about me and that’s a big restart and that’s really good for me."
Piaras
"I moved to Wales because my dad was posted in the Army. I thought I would get bullied and I was shy when you meet new people, but I made some friends."
Dan
Welsh Local Government Association
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