Two Vale schools receive Armed Forces Friendly Schools status
Two Vale of Glamorgan schools have been awarded Armed Forces Friendly Schools status by Supporting Service Children in Education (SSCE) Cymru.
St Athan Primary and Llantwit Major High received this recognition at a ceremony at the Ministry of Defence base in St Athan.
Cllr Eddie Williams, Armed Forces Champion, was in attendance, along with Cllr Rhiannon Birch, Cabinet member for Education, Arts and the Welsh Language as Headteachers Louise Haynes and Cedric Burden were presented with certificates from Wing Commander Gavin Wedlake.
The Armed Forces Friendly Schools status is funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and aims to:
- Embed good practice for supporting Service children.
- Create a positive environment for Service children to share their experiences, and
- Encourage schools to become more engaged with their Armed Forces community.
Martine Coles, the Council’s Vulnerable Groups Manager and Education Lead for Children of Armed Forces Personnel in schools, introduced the qward and congratulated both schools on their dedication to Service Children and their Armed Forces fraternity.
Cllr Williams said: “I’d like to congratulate St Athan Primary and Llantwit Major High for the level of commitment they have shown to gain this award. Both schools have a wide range of provision that not only helps service children but also links the school more closely with the Armed Forces element of their community.
“The Council has a long history of welcoming children of Service Personnel to our schools. There are currently 360 pupils from this background being taught in the County. They make up nine per cent of the student body at Llantwit Major High and 20 per cent of children at St Athan Primary.
“The Council is proud of that connection to the Armed Forces and prides itself on doing everything possible to meet the needs of Service Personnel and their children.
“We recently renewed our Armed Forces Covenant, a voluntary pledge that organisations take to demonstrate their support for the military community. Its principles ensure that those who serve, or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly and with respect.
“A dedicated Council officer is employed to operate the Authority’s Veteran’s Advice Service, providing free and impartial information, advice and support to members of the Armed Forces Community within the Vale.
“The Council also has a Gold Defence Employer Recognition Award (ERS), reflecting its work in this area.”