Ministry Of Defence
Moving overseas
There are lots of things parents need to consider when taking their children overseas.
Before accepting an overseas assignment, we encourage all parents to contact the Overseas Education and Supportability team on RC-DCS-HQ-OES@mod.gov.uk for advice and guidance.
As the MOD send personnel to a range of locations overseas, it is important for parents to understand what education is available in area to which they intend to move and whether there is any information specific to that location they need to consider. For example, many countries do not have the same qualification structures (GCSE, A-Level) as the UK and this should be taken into account.
The availability of support for children with additional needs is another important factor and, for this reason, all children must go through an assessment of educational supportability before moving overseas.
DCS schools and settings
Th MOD provides schools and early years settings in key locations overseas and these are run by Defence Children Services (DCS).DCSschools and settings provide education to the dependent children of service personnel andMOD-entitled civilians, entitled contractors and fee payers.DCSschools and settings are predominantly overseas, with one school in Scotland. For information and guidance specifically for Queen Victoria School in Scotland, please see Education in the UK.
The diverse locations of our schools and the dedication of our staff ensure pupils engage in a rich and fulfilling curriculum whilst overseas.DCSschools and settings overseas mirrors the English education system including Ofsted inspections, assessments and examinations. This enables pupils to transition from our overseas schools and settings to UK based schools and nurseries with the minimum amount of disruption. We work closely with UK schools and local authorities to ensure information is shared to support the varying needs of pupils.
Locations where there are no DCS schools or early years settings
Supporting childrens education in isolated detachment (ISODET) areas
There are many locations around the world where service personnel and their families may be posted, which are not served by aDCSschool. Childrens education in these locations can either be provided by local state schools or by schools from the independent or international school sector.
As stated in JSP 342, Chapter 5, in countries where the first language is English, children accompanying their parents on assignments are expected to attend local state provided schooling, unless this is deemed inappropriate (either at an individual student level or more broadly incompatible with the UK education system). There are significant benefits associated with a student being immersed in the local education system, however there are occasions where the local education system is deemed inappropriate for the needs of students from the UK.
The decision whether a local state provided school system is appropriate is either made through the completion by the Global Education team in Armed Forces Families and Safeguarding (AFFS) of an Educational Suitability Review (ESR) or through casework. This is submitted toAFFSby parents following conversations with their receiving command requesting schooling provided by the international or independent sector.
It is parents responsibility to research and find a school place in areas where there are no DCS schools or early years settings. The MOD do not approve schools overseas. If the assignment is to an overseas area not supported by a DCS school/setting, Service personnel should liaise with the gaining command and/or the current role incumbent. They may have advice on schools in the area and/or provide details of where service children have attended in the past.
It is important for parents to note:
The impact of different education systems:
- Parents will need to fully research the local educational provision in the location of the overseas assignment and ensure they are content that the provision on offer is suitable for their childs needs. Many schools overseas will follow a different curriculum to schools in the UK. Therefore, it is important that parents are aware of any curriculum differences. Year group ages may also vary as well as school starting ages.
The impact of transitional phases of education during and after an assignment:
- This may include moves from early years provision to primary school, primary school to secondary school or secondary to post-16 education. Parents will also need to consider the educational impact of transition back to the English education system (or devolved administration equivalent) at the end of assignment. This includes transfer into a critical stage of education (such as GCSE) course which may include public examinations.
For further guidance and advice, contact the OES team directly on RC-DCS-HQ-OES@mod.gov.uk
Educational Supportability
What is Confirmation of Educational Supportability and why is it required?
All children aged 0 to 18 years of age require confirmation of educational supportability before accompanying their parent on an overseas assignment. Defence Children Services (DCS) educational supportability assessment is part of the overarching MOD Assessment of Supportability Overseas (MASO) process. To gain confirmation of educational supportability, a child must be supportable in the overseas location.
Confirmation of educational supportability is required:
- so the overseas Command and school/setting are able to consider whether appropriate support and educational provision is available to meet the individual needs of all children;
- so schools and settings have early knowledge of a childs needs, to prepare for, and ensure, a smooth transition;
- so parents have the chance to consider the variability of provision in overseas locations, to make informed choices and not be disadvantaged as the result of an overseas assignment.
If a child is not accompanying parents on an overseas assignment and is accessing educational provision in the UK, confirmation of educational supportability is not required. For example, if a child is at boarding school in the UK or residing with a guardian.
Confirmation of educational supportability also forms part of the overall overseas assignment procedures co-ordinated through the Families Section and/or DBS. They will seek evidence that Confirmation of Educational Supportability has been given prior to completing all necessary arrangements. Parents are encouraged to engage with the process at the earliest possible time to avoid unnecessary delays to assignments.
In most locations, it is important to have a confirmed school place before an assessment of supportability can take place. This is so that provision in the receiving country can be considered. In some locations, such as the USA, a school place will not be offered before families arrive in location. In these circumstances, parents are advised to contact the OES team directly on RC-DCS-HQ-OES@mod.gov.uk
If a child will be attending a DCS school/setting, parents should make contact with the school directly and follow their admissions process (including the educational supportability assessment). Further information can be found on each DCS school/settings website.
For areas not supported by DCS school or early years settings, parents should contact the the OES team directly on RC-DCS-HQ-OES@mod.gov.uk