USW was the first University in the UK to have a designated Armed Forces Champion (AFC). Dr. Ross Hall has been instrumental in leading the coordination of the activities outlined in this case study.

As a result of the AFC activities, USW won the Defence Employers Recognition Scheme Gold Award in August 2018. USW was the first in Wales to achieve this accolade and was among the first three HEIs in the UK to be awarded Gold in August 2018. USW is presently providing support to other UK universities in their bids for Defence Employer Recognition Scheme applications and other research projects and bids for external funding.

The AFC also led on the introduction of the USW’s AF Recognition of Prior Learning scheme, which has helped over 450 serving and ex-AF personnel into higher education.

2. Has signed the Armed Forces Covenant

All four main areas of the AF Covenant have been supported by USW, including serving and former members of the AF, their spouses, and children. USW have externally advertised the AF Covenant and both encouraged and given support to other Wales based and UK HEIs to engage with the AF and sign the Covenant.

To reinforce the signing of the AF Covenant, the following actions were taken over the course of six months:

• The AFC developed a strategic document outlining proposed engagement activities for the University Executive
• USW held a variety of internal department meetings seeking to change internal policies and procedures to support the AF community, primarily focusing on USW's Fee and Access plan.

3. Includes Service children in Fee & Access Plan

USW’s Fee and Access plan for 2020/21 identifies ‘children from military families’ as one of its under-represented groups, being the first university in Wales to do so.

USW is currently exploring ways of engaging with this under-represented population, and as such in August 2020, USW's UK Student Recruitment Team established a sub-team responsible for developing and delivering targeted activities for students from under-represented groups, as identified in the Fee and Access Plan. One member of the sub-team now leads activities for Service Children.

4. Co-leads the SCiP Alliance Hub Cymru

USW, in partnership with SSCE Cymru, has been successful in gaining Community Covenant funding to establish a Wales-based hub of the Service Children's Progression Alliance (SCiP). This partnership will meet at least twice yearly and both the hub leads sit on the SCiP Alliance Board and Practice Group. Research interests and ideas also continue to be developed with other stakeholders and HEIs across the UK focusing on Service children and their educational journey. Such activities will be developed, delivered, and where appropriate submitted for peer review, to inform good practice and influence relevant government policies.

5. Runs a Creative Forces Day

The proposed Creative Forces Day event for Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 learners was postponed in Summer 2020 due to COVID-19. However, the lead for activities in this area has already forged close working relationships with SSCE Cymru and the newly appointed SSCE Cymru Regional School Liaison Officers, and planning is underway for an online Creative Forces Day event in 2021.

6. Has identified Service children studying at USW

When students with an AF connection apply to study with USW, a note is made on their records so that it can be reported on. Since 2015 USW has placed over 400 students with an Armed Forces background, either currently serving or having served over the past 15 years; on the USW Armed Forces page you can read more about some of these students' experiences.

No data is currently held on Service children’s progression within USW, although the new UCAS process, which introduces a question into the undergraduate application which identifies Service children, will change this. The hope is to develop a UK wide multi-university research bid to gather such data and outline educational outcomes for Service children.

7. Has committed to including Service children into the teacher training curriculum

USW Initial Teacher Education Partnership is committed to including support for service children in their provision for student teachers. This will be included in Professional and Pedagogical Studies and Core Studies modules in sessions where students explore, research, and discuss meeting the needs of all learners, the diverse and changing nature of the school population in Wales, and learners' right to a voice in matters that relate to their lives. These themes will be introduced in Year 1 and revisited in Year 2 and Year 3.

Date produced: December 2020