BRUNEI: BFB Children's Library - Summer Story Time with Rachana Thursday, 30th July 2026, 11 AM @ BFB Children's Library, CCCC

Story Telling Session with Tamsin - Monday, 10th August 2026, 1030 - 1130 AM @ BFB Children's Library, CCCC

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

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

A* for British Forces Cyprus schools: parents give top marks

Defence Children Services (DCS) schools and early years settings in Cyprus have received outstanding results in the 2026 Parent Satisfaction Survey.

Covering 1,148 pupils across early years, primary and secondary schools within British Forces Cyprus (BFC) military bases, families have reported very high levels of confidence and satisfaction across all areas of education and care.

The survey showed that:

100% of parents agreed their child feels safe at school
99% said they would recommend their child's school to another parent
97% said their child is happy at school and doing well
98% of parents with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) children said the school gives their child the support they need to succeed

School staff have been consistently praised for their warmth, dedication and professionalism, with many families highlighting the excellent support provided during deployments, transitions and the challenges faced by service families on posting.

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

Service Children's Progression Alliance Impact Centre Listening Tour: UK-Wide and online dates May-Oct 2026

Over the next few months, the Service Children’s Progression (SCIP) Alliance are hosting over 30 events across the UK to conduct discussion groups on the topic of evidence mobilisation.

These will be an opportunity for anyone working with Armed Forces families in any professional roles (education, health, local authorities, activity centres, youth groups) to discuss what they think works for supporting Service children, how we know this, and how can evidence be mobilised better.

Find out more about the Tour see here:

https://www.scipalliance.org/events/impact-centre-listening-tour


To express interest in joining in person or online: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/1UqyhEfx72


Written submissions are also available here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/903HRrCff7


Or hear a 45 second ‘walk and talk’ from the research lead: https://youtu.be/jpVOnBuU6l8

BELGIUM: AI Boot Camp - from Zero to AI fluent in one morning! Tuesday 30 June 2026 09:00 - 12:00 CEST

The Inspire to Lead Team are pleased to share that an additional session with the BFBS Academy has been secured. Want to know all about Artificial Intelligence? This course is perfect for you.

The brilliant session will take place on Tuesday 30th June 0900hrs – 1200hrs (CEST) via MS Teams.

If you would like to take part, please contact Zak on Zakia.Yousaf100@mod.gov.uk to secure your space by 16th June.

Places are limited; don't delay, book today!

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

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

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

BELGIUM: Inspire to Lead 'Everything You Want to Know About AI', Thursday 18th June 2026, 09:00-13:00 - Virtual Session

The next session in the Inspire to Lead Calendar is 'Everything You Want to Know About A.I.'

This will be an online Teams workshop running from 9am to 1pm CEST. It is open to all members of the UK Armed Forces community.

Places are limited so will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Sign-up with Zak to secure your place on Zakia.Yousaf100@mod.gov.uk

An attendance certificate will be issued on completion, should you wish to record this as CPD time.

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Supporting service children to thrive - a new round of the Service Pupil Support Programme now open.

Supporting service children to thrive: a new round of the Service Pupil Support Programme now open

Service life can bring unique challenges for children and young people. Frequent moves, disrupted learning and periods of separation can all add up - and they can affect how children feel, learn and achieve.

Delivered on behalf of the MOD’s Armed Forces Families Fund, the Service Pupil Support programme (SPSP) funds practical, evidence-led projects that respond to these challenges and strengthen educational outcomes for service pupils. With a new round of funding now open, the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) are inviting schools and local authorities across the UK to apply, so more service pupils can get the right support to feel settled and succeed at school.

Scotland: Moving to Scotland? Need to know about Special Educational Needs and the support available?

Moving to a new country and education system can be a worrying and busy time for families with a child with additional support needs.

Enquire is the Scottish advice service for additional support for learning.


Providing easy to understand advice and information about additional support for learning legislation and guidance for families and professionals.

Enquire

Defence Infographic – Primary School Offer Day information and support for Service families

To support Service families with further information on Primary School place offers, Defence has provided this infographic.  A PDF version with accessible hyperlinks is at this  LINK

BRUNEI: RAF HIVE Activity Book - Pick up your copy from the HIVE offices

 

RAF HIVE has generously donated Children’s Activity Books to BFB. Copies are available for collection at the HIVE offices. 

These books are suitable for children up to 8 years old. We hope you will have some fun doing the puzzles, colouring in the pages and finding Biggles all through the book.

There is a 'chuff chart' in the centre pages so that you can mark off the weeks until your Service Person returns and some letter pages that you can use to write to your deployed Service Person. 

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BELGIUM: Language Centre Courses for Summer and Autumn and Parent-Toddler Classes

 SHAPE Language Centre Summer and Autumn Sessions....

If you fancy learning a new language whilst here at SHAPE, the Language Centre is a great shout. With options of French, Spanish, Italian, German and Russian on the table, you can really widen your horizons!

The Intensive Summer Session for Beginners French is a popular option and a fab introduction or refresher before kicking off the Autumn session.

The GSO Language Fund for British Military Personnel and their Spouses will give you some money back too! What's not to love?

If you have little ones that you would like to introduce to the French Language, then these Parent and Toddlers classes could be just the ticket.

For more information pop into the Language Centre in Building 211 or drop them an email on languagecentre@shapemwb.be

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: Recruit for Spouses Online Portal offers support for military spouses, partners, serving members and veterans

Recruit for Spouses (RFS) is a multi-award winning social enterprise which supports military families to overcome barriers to employment and wellbeing.

They have an Online Portal that holds wellbeing resources, offers CV Reviews & free career coaching and hosts workshops & masterclasses.

If you are seeking employment, training or support with your next step, why not check out the opportunities they offer?

EMAIL: info@recruitforspouses.co.uk

WEBSITE: https://www.recruitforspouses.co.uk/

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE