Service Families
Richmond School and Sixth Form College is located just around the corner from Catterick Garrison and has an increasing number of service students on roll. We are passionate about creating a supportive environment to help these resilient young people.
A Service Child is a person whose parent, or carer, serves in the regular armed forces, or as a reservist, or has done at any point during the first 25 years of that person’s life. A service child is resilient and is part of a family that has an extraordinary everyday life.
Students from military service families often display many positive qualities including open-mindedness, pride, determination, resilience and being self-possessed. Nevertheless, there are a range of challenges that may be associated with being a child of a current or former military service personnel, and one of the most significant struggles they face is navigating the school system. The constant moves, parental deployments, and frequent changes in their environment can have a profound impact on their education and overall well-being. Adjusting to new schools and making friends can be daunting for any child, but service children often must do it repeatedly throughout their academic years. The transient lifestyle can disrupt their continuity of education, making it difficult to catch up with curriculum changes. Moreover, the emotional toll of having a parent deployed can affect their concentration and overall performance
It is important that there is adequate support for military students if needed. Support can come in many forms from academic/pastoral care to service events and activities where they can socialise with other military students. It is also highly important staff are aware of the issues and challenges that military students can face. From our Wellbeing in Mind Team to Mrs Cheesbrough, our Service Children’s Advocate, various initiatives have been developed within Richmond School and Sixth Form College to best support our students and their families.
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OUR SERVICE CHILDREN'S ADVOCATE - AN INTRODUCTION
Louise Cheesbrough Service Children's Advocate and Teacher of MFL. Email: lcheesbrough@richmond-alt.uk |
At Richmond School and Sixth Form College, we prioritise the well-being, safety and success of every student. As your dedicated Service Children’s Advocate, my role is to ensure that all students have a voice, access to support and a safe space to express their successes, concerns and challenges. As a military wife myself, I have had the opportunity to live and work across Europe with my family. This has included working in an MOD school in Germany and spending a couple of years with my own two young children in Cyprus. Although I feel very fortunate to have been able to have such adventures abroad with my family, I am also fully aware of the impact deployments, exercises and working away can have on a family. The nature of military life often fosters a deep sense of empathy and community. I am hoping that with my own frequent moves I can empathise with students and families when students are facing similar challenges with major life changes. |
SUPPORT OFFERED AT RICHMOND SCHOOL
I understand that having a parent away on deployment, exercise, or duty can be a challenging time for students. That’s why I offer a dedicated Wellbeing Session designed specifically for our service students. This supportive and welcoming space give students the chance to connect with others in similar situations, share experiences, and explore positive strategies for managing emotions and staying resilient. Through engaging activities and guided discussions, we aim to foster a sense of community, boost wellbeing, and remind students that they are never alone.
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SERVICE STUDENT VOICE Looking to connect with other students from military families? The Service Student Voice is a welcoming space where service-connected students can meet, share experiences, and make a difference in school life. We've proudly taken part in a range of impactful projects, including the Festival of Remembrance at Ripon, conducting research with the Green Howards Museum, and celebrating the Month of the Military Child. Our members have also supported Year 6 transition activities, and helped plan tutor sessions and assemblies that raise awareness and foster understanding of military life. Join us to build friendships, develop leadership skills, and help shape a more inclusive school community. Please get in touch with Mrs Cheesbrough for information about these groups |
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