News & Views

The Covenant Fund Trust, in collaboration with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), has launched the latest Service Pupil Support Programme (SPSP 20/4/25). This initiative is designed to support service pupils along their educational pathways, ensuring they have access to the resources and guidance necessary to reach their full potential.

Speaking at a recent Thriving Lives Toolkit webinar, Kerry Newham, Armed Forces Families Lead at the Covenant Fund Trust, outlined key updates to the funding programme and encouraged schools to leverage the Thriving Lives Toolkit to strengthen their support strategies.

Key Updates for 2025

Increased Funding Availability

Schools and local authorities can now apply for up to £150,000, a significant increase from the previous £80,000 cap. This funding aims to enhance the educational experiences of service pupils while promoting targeted interventions that address their unique challenges.

Eligibility & Project Focus

• Exclusive to service pupils (ages 4-18): Funding must directly benefit service children and cannot be allocated as a whole-school resource.
• Standalone project requirement: Applications must outline a sustainable project that will not require continuous funding beyond the grant period.
• Revised eligibility criteria: Applicants must demonstrate alignment with at least one of four key outcomes, including; closing the academic gap, support for service pupils with SEND/ASN/ALN, mobility, deployment and separation and low numbers of Service children.

The Role of the Thriving Lives Toolkit

A central theme of the webinar was the value of the Thriving Lives Toolkit, developed by the SCiP Alliance and supported by the MoD. Schools are strongly encouraged to integrate this toolkit into their project planning to:

• Assess and enhance their support for service pupils
• Strengthen funding applications with evidence-based strategies
• Facilitate collaboration with external partners for joint initiatives

Applicants using the Thriving Lives Toolkit are advised to highlight its impact within their submissions, as it is a recognised framework for improving support structures for service children.

Application Process & Deadlines

Applications for SPSP 4/20/25 funding must be submitted by midday on 30th April 2025. The Covenant Fund Trust’s Grant Committee will review applications, with decisions expected in June.

Schools and eligible organisations can apply via the Covenant Fund Trust website: covenantfund.org.uk

💡 Tip: Applicants are advised to draft responses in a separate document before submitting them online to avoid data loss.

This initiative underscores the MoD’s ongoing commitment to ensuring Service pupils receive tailored educational support. By leveraging resources such as the Thriving Lives Toolkit, schools can build more inclusive and effective support systems for the children of Armed Forces families.

Please watch the short video clip below for more details.