News & Views

Hub launched to support Service children across Kent and Medway

Thousands of military service children across Kent and Medway are set to benefit from a new Hub designed to help them overcome barriers in education and reach their full potential.

The official launch event for the new South East SCiP Alliance Hub took place yesterday [Wednesday, April 24, 2024] at the Duke of York’s Royal Military School in Dover.

Led by the Kent and Medway Progression Federation (KMPF) in partnership with the Service Children’s Progression (SCiP) Alliance, the Hub is a significant step forward for Service children and their families in the area.

The event was attended by around 80 representatives from local education and military organisations, who gathered to pledge their support for the initiative. There was also a Ministerial Address by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Defence People and Families) The Rt Hon Dr Andrew Murrison MP.

Nathan Hazledene, who will lead the new Hub on behalf of KMPF, said, “The Kent and Medway region has a rich military history, and still has a significant military footprint. However, we know that Service children can face unique challenges in education, which can negatively impact them reaching their full potential. The new Hub will allow us to bring together key education professionals and organisations supporting Service children regionally and nationally to ensure the children get the support they need to progress and make informed decisions on their future.”

Attendees at the event had the chance to meet Service children from the Duke of York School and were encouraged to pledge their support for the Hub moving forward.

Dr Andrew Murrison, Minister for Defence People and Families, said, “We are proud to support the Service Children’s Progression Alliance, an organisation focused on removing the challenges that Service children face.

“The Alliance, working with thousands of professionals in the UK and overseas, is critical to supporting UK Service children’s wellbeing and success.

“Together, we will continue to support their development.”

Phil Dent, Director of the Service Children’s Progression Alliance said, “We are thrilled to launch the South East SCiP Alliance Hub and to reaffirm our commitment to supporting Service children and their families in the region. This Hub represents a collaborative effort to provide the resources and assistance needed to help these children overcome any barriers to progressing and reach their full potential.”

The new South East SCiP Alliance Hub is chaired by Angela Maxted, previously Headteacher at Cheriton Primary School. The school has many children of Service personnel from the Royal Gurkha Rifles based at the neighbouring Shorncliffe Barracks in Folkestone. Angela is also the Vice Chair of the Service Children in State Schools group, which works to help schools support Service children.

She said, “This is an exciting opportunity to serve the needs of Service children and their families more effectively through strategic working and local sharing of best practices. We look forward to seeing the positive impact that the Hub will have on the wider community over the years to come.”