The Department of Education at Brunel University of London is leading a project funded by the Armed Forces Education Trust across Hillingdon, Berkshire, Surrey and Hampshire to improve support and educational provision for children from Armed Forces families.
The project is supported by a broad partnership of schools, local authorities and specialist organisations.
The Hillingdon, Berkshire, Surrey and Hampshire Festival of Friends project will bring together up to 30 schools serving children from Armed Forces communities, creating three regional hubs in Hillingdon, Berkshire and Surrey/North Hampshire to share expertise, strengthen support and give the children a stronger voice in school life.
The project responds to the unique experiences of these children, including high levels of mobility, parental deployment, changing schools, making friends and the broader emotional impact of Armed Forces life. There is a need for joined-up support across schools and local authorities, which this project will develop.
The programme is expected to reach up to 1,500 Service Pupil Premium-eligible children across the three hubs.
Brunel, a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant and holder of the Ministry of Defence Gold Employer Recognition Award, will lead the project, bringing together research expertise, school partnerships and a longstanding commitment to the Armed Forces community.
Dr Anne Chappell and Dr Ellen McHugh from the Department of Education at Brunel, and Matt Blyton, specialist advisor and project lead, said:
“We are delighted to have this funding from the Armed Forces Education Trust. Brunel has a longstanding relationship with the Armed Forces strengthened by our research and location near communities in Hillingdon, Berkshire, Surrey and beyond. We want to build on that connection and the previous successful work done in the Festival of Friends projects in seven other areas of England by helping schools better understand and support these children and those that work with them.”
Charmain Hickman, Chief Executive Officer, Armed Forces Education Trust, said: “Children from Armed Forces families can face particular challenges through mobility, deployment and changes in family life, and schools have an important role in helping them to feel understood, supported and able to thrive. The Armed Forces Education Trust is delighted to fund this next Festival of Friends project, bringing schools and partners together to share learning, strengthen support and, importantly, ensure that the voices and experiences of Service children help shape what schools do. We hope the networks and practical approaches developed through the project will have a lasting impact well beyond the schools taking part.”
Delivered through a regional hub-and-spoke model, the project will connect schools with experienced leaders and specialists. Participating schools will use the national SCiP Alliance Thriving Lives Toolkit to identify priorities, share what works and develop practical improvement projects.
Key partners already include Alexander First School in Windsor, the Corvus Learning Trust, Kings International School in Camberley, Pirbright Village Primary School and Hillingdon Council’s Stronger Schools Officers for Service Children.
Schools will nominate champions for the project and take part in professional development covering leadership, pastoral care, school transitions and ways to improve educational outcomes for children from Armed Forces families.
The project will end with a Festival of Friends celebration event at Brunel in summer 2027, bringing pupils, schools, and partners together to celebrate achievements and share the outcomes. A case-study booklet will also capture successful ideas so they can be used more widely across the education sector.
By bringing schools, universities, local authorities and specialist partners together, the Hillingdon, Berkshire, Surrey and Hampshire Festival of Friends project aims to leave a lasting legacy: stronger school networks, better support for the children and wider recognition of the experiences of Armed Forces families.