Duke of York’s Royal Military School: The Princess Royal Visits Kent School as Royal Patron

The Princess Royal Visits Kent School as Royal Patron

The Duke of York’s Royal Military School welcomed Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to the school, in her role as Royal Patron. This visit provided an opportunity for Her Royal Highness to meet students and staff, and experience life at the school first-hand.

The visit marked an important moment in the school’s continued commitment to supporting young people, including children from Armed Forces families.

During her visit, The Princess Royal met with members of the school community and attended the annual Beret Parade, where she formally presented ceremonial berets to the school’s new Year 7 students.

Gibraltar: Careers Fair 19th November

 

Explore careers across Gibraltar's industries at the Careers Fair on Thursday 19 November, 4pm to 8pm, at the MUGA, Bayside Sports Complex. Meet employers, training providers and professional bodies. Free entry and open to everyone.

For more information or accessibility support, email careersfair@gibraltar.gov.gi

Defence Children Schools: Guidance for Service families on school admissions for September 2027 entry

Is your child starting primary school or moving to secondary school in September 2027?

Service families are encouraged to check admissions deadlines and start planning ahead.

If you are applying for a school place in England:

Secondary school applications close 31 October 2026
Primary school applications close 15 January 2027

Admissions arrangements and deadlines vary across the UK. Families in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland should check the requirements set by their local authority or education authority.

Read the full information and find out where to access support on the Defence Children Services website: School admissions information for Service families: September 2027 entry

Wraparound Childcare (WAC) - Armed Forces Personnel Portal Beta Testing

As part of the continued development of the Armed Forces Personnel Portal (AFPP), Defence are preparing to commence the next phase of Beta testing for the Wraparound Childcare (WAC) service. They are seeking current or recent WAC users who may be interested in supporting this important activity. User participation is essential to ensuring the service meets the needs of Service Personnel and their families and has been tested by representative users prior to wider release.

 

Expression of Interest Required

 

Any Service personnel who would like to be considered for participation in the Beta testing programme, please complete the Expression of Interest survey using the link below:

Expression of Interest Survey Link

 

Survey Deadline - The Expression of Interest survey will close at 2359hrs on Fri 23 Oct 26.

 

Only individuals who complete the survey by this deadline will be considered for participation in the Beta testing programme.

 

The Beta testing programme is currently planned to commence from Mon 2 Nov 26 and may be conducted across multiple iterative testing periods. This approach will enable the AFPP team to gather user feedback, implement improvements and, where required, re-test enhancements before wider release.

Brunei: Introduction to Early Help Awareness training session - Wednesday 30 September 2026 0800 - 1200 @ CCCC

Information provided by Brunei HIVE.

Gibraltar: Weekly Storytelling at the Library

Storytelling returns to the John Mackintosh Hall Library - every Thursday at 4.30pm.

Join them for a fun-filled session of stories, imagination and adventure. This free event is a wonderful way to inspire a love of reading and creativity. Book your place - see poster for contact details.

As an MOD resident you can join the library and take away books immediately - all you will need is your MOD badge and to fill in a short form. The library is at the far end of Main Street, beyond the Convent and beside Gibraltar International Bank.

BRUNEI: Treetops Nursery Open Day - Wednesday, 16th September 2026, 1400 - 1500

 

Please click the image to enlarge.

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

Armed Forces Children’s transitions between education systems – An Educators’ Toolkit

A new resource has been created for educators to support with planning transition for Service children: https://dcs.school/transition/ Families may also find the information helpful.

This toolkit has been developed specifically to help educators support armed forces children’s transitions between different education systems. Using this resource, educators can help children and young people from UK Armed Forces families experience positive transitions and thrive academically, socially and emotionally, wherever they move in the UK or overseas.

It was developed collaboratively by education practitioners and education policy professionals from across Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England. This involved officials from Government Departments, local authority officers, schools and Service charities from across the UK.

MOD ‘UK Nursery Authority’ childcare support: How to register and claim

From 1 September 2026, eligible working Service families who live in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can get help with early years childcare costs.

If you would get 'free' (Government funded) childcare hours if based in England, Defence’s UK Nursery Authority (UKNA) childcare scheme will now help cover the difference in cost where you live.

It’s important to understand that UKNA does not give you a childcare space. It pays back money to eligible families who have already paid for early years childcare.

Gibraltar: GCSE Results August 2026

Year 11 learners at Bayside and Westside Schools today received their GCSE / Level 2 results, marking the completion of their first public examinations and an important milestone in their education. Across both schools, staff are celebrating the many individual stories of effort, progress and achievement represented by today’s results.

Across the full range of GCSE and Level 2 courses in Gibraltar, including legacy letter grades and vocational outcomes, pupils at Bayside and Westside Schools achieved 3,457 pass grades out of a possible 3,536, representing an overall pass rate of 98%.

Across Bayside and Westside, 701 grades were achieved at levels 9, 8 and 7, the highest grades available at GCSE, with 359 secured at Bayside and 342 at Westside.

Gov.uk: Childcare for Service children "Moving to England from overseas or within the UK"

The gov.uk Childcare for Service Children webpage can be found at:  Childcare for Service children - GOV.UK

The section on moving to England from overseas or a devolved nation was amended on 6 Aug, and now reads:

 Moving to England from overseas or within the UK

If you are returning from overseas or moving within the UK, please visit the Best Start in Life website to find out what is available in your area. The application process and deadlines may vary.

It’s not possible to apply for additional funded childcare online when you are outside England. If you are due to return to England from overseas or elsewhere in the UK after a term deadline, you can call the Childcare Service Helpline on 0300 123 4097 to apply for a free childcare code and request a manual application. The manual application must be completed before the term deadline.

Information on term deadlines and when to apply can be found in DIN - Early years funded childcare overseas. Search for the DIN on defnet or Defence Connect (accessible by MOD personnel only).

Term during which you return to England  Term Deadline  Recommended time to apply

1 September to 31 December             31 August          15 June to 31 July

1 January to 31 March                         31 December    15 October to 30 November

1 April to 31 July                                  31 March           15 January to 28 February

Parents can apply outside of the recommended dates, but they might not receive their code in time. Parents must have a valid code by the end of the month before a new term starts.

Overseas

In overseas locations, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) provides services (or access to services) that, so far as is reasonably practicable, conform in type, scope and standard to that required by legislation in England.

NAPLES : Where to buy school uniforms

  

 

 

 

 

  

Naples School Uniforms  

 

 

  

School uniforms can be purchased locally, in Naples, but are often cheaper in the UK. The uniform can be worn without logos.  

 

Places to buy in Naples  

 

Use google maps for exact locations and directions.  

 

Uniformi e Divise Napoli, Traversa Nuova Marina no 8 Palazzo Gentile 11 piano, 80133 Napoli  

 

Naples Uniform Store 13020 Livingston Rd, Ste 12 Naples FL 34105 

 

Primark, Centro Commerciale, Campania SS Sannitica 87, 81025 Caserta  

 

 Read more

MOD’s Families Hub is now in its second year – have you used it yet?

 

Discover My Benefits - Families

Defence children Services: Supporting Armed Forces children’s transitions between education systems - Educators’ toolkit.

This transition resource was developed collaboratively by education practitioners and education policy professionals from across Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England. This involved officials from Government Departments, local authority officers, schools and Service charities from across the UK. It is designed to complement and strengthen existing practice, helping educators support effective transitions in educational settings.

Service parents with children who are moving schools across devolved nations may wish to highlight this guidance to the education professionals that they are liaising with.

To read the guidance in full online, please go to: Transition

There is also an option to download the whole booklet at this link: https://dcs.school/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026051504_BetweenEducationsystems_Transitionstoolkit_FINAL.pdf

BRUNEI: The Directory of Boarding Schools 2026

Are you considering a Boarding School for your child(ren)? 

Did you know there is a directory showcasing all the Boarding Schools and Colleges that offer discounts and CEA-funded places for HM Armed Forces Families?

You can find the Directory of Boarding Schools 2026 here.

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BELGIUM: Directory of Boarding Schools 2026

Are you considering Boarding School for your child(ren)? Did you know that there is a directory that showcases all the Boarding Schools and Colleges that offer discounts and CEA funded places for HM Armed Forces Families?

You can find the Directory of Boarding Schools 2026 here.

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

Gibraltar: Summer Book Club at John Mackintosh Hall Library.

• Summer Book Club at John Mackintosh Hall Library. 
• For children age 8 and over. 
• Weekly 15th July to 26th August. 
• Free - you just need to book your child's place. See poster for details.

Running every Wednesday from 15th July to 26th August, the club will offer students the opportunity to discover new books and genres through a series of fun, creative, and interactive sessions. Each week, participants will explore different themes, take part in hands-on crafts and writing activities, and develop their creativity and confidence in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.
Throughout the programme, students will also collaborate on the creation of a special magazine, showcasing their writing, artwork, and achievements from across the summer.

Gibraltar: Heritage Summer Camp 20th to 24th July

Currently being advertised by Gibraltar Heritage Trust. If this is of interest, book immediately - places are limited and it's popular:

Join us for a week of creativity and discovery at our Heritage Summer Camp for children aged 6-10!

Monday 20th July to Friday 24th July

Each day will offer the opportunity to unlock sites along our heritage trail and then an arts and crafts session at Witham’s Cottage.

Book in for individual days or for the full week

Email engagement@gibraltarheritagetrust.org.gi or visit our shop in John Mackintosh Square  to book your space now!

£10pp per session

BRUNEI: Army Library and Information Service (ALIS)

Please click on the image to enlarge.

ALIS. The role of the Army Library And Information Service (ALIS) is to provide information and resources in support of operations, education, training, life-long learning and welfare. To help support the professional development of military personnel in BFB, ALIS Online can still be accessed via Defence Gateway. ALIS Online is accessible by all serving British Army personnel both regular and reserve. It contains a searchable catalogue as well as electronic books, journal articles, audiobooks and links to podcasts. Electronic content can be accessed directly and hard copy books from the catalogue can be requested using BFPO to support professional development.

SHAPE: Little Linguists at SHAPE House, Starting Monday 11th May, Every Monday

Starting Monday 11th May a brilliant new session for Parents and Little Ones. If your petit enfant is due to start a local nursery and you want to get ahead of the game in the language department, join Debbie at SHAPE House.

This is a great intro to basic French words and phrases ideal for the nursery school environment.

WHAT: Little Linguists
WHEN: Mondays, 11:00-11:30, starting Monday 11th May
WHERE: SHAPE House

HOW MUCH: FREE

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE