Service Students

At The Gryphon School we understand that children from military families often face unique challenges, including parental absences, frequent relocations, and disruptions to home life and studies. Our goal is to minimise the impact of these circumstances on school life by providing a supportive network of peers who understand and empathise.

We are pleased to offer a dedicated provision for students with one or more parents serving in the armed forces, or who have left the forces within the last six years. Throughout the year, we organise a variety of activities designed to strengthen relationships within our service student community and encourage the development of resilience, independence, adaptability, and empathy—valuable life skills that can particularly benefit this group. Past events have included service lunches, team-building activities, day trips, and a spirited Army-Navy football match.

This group has been pivotal in giving students an additional support network within the school, helping them connect with others who share similar experiences and fostering a strong sense of community and belonging.

If you would like more information or need any particular support with upcoming transition or parental absence please contact sophia.bending@gryphon.dorset.sch.uk

Pupils are eligible for Service Pupil Premium if they meet one of the following criteria:

• One of their parents is serving in the regular armed forces (including pupils with a parent who is on full commitment as part of the full-time reserve service)
• They have been registered as a ‘service child’ on a school census in the past 6 years (see below the ‘DfE’s ever 6 service child measure’)
• One of their parents died while serving in the armed forces and the pupil receives a pension under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme or the War Pensions Scheme
• One of their parents is in the armed forces of another nation and is stationed in England

Useful links for service pupils and parents:

Navy

• Free tutoring – Free 1to1 tutoring GCSE and Alevel
• University application help – https://www.navalchildrenscharity.org.uk/the-brilliant-club/
• University bursaries – https://www.navalchildrenscharity.org.uk/university-bursary-scheme/

Army

• University support – https://aff.org.uk/advice/education-childcare/university/
• Armed Forces Employment help (16-24 year olds) – https://www.forcesemployment.org.uk/