Support for children with parents in the Armed Forces

LJMU is contributing to national strategies to widen access to higher education for children with parents serving in the Armed Forces.

Complex schooling categorised by separation, mobility and transition can lead to disadvantage for service children due to the wide-ranging impact of Armed Forces family life. National statistics, compiled by the Office for Students, suggest a 24% gap for children with parents in the military attending university, attainment can be poorer, and social and emotional disruption can impact on their mental health and wellbeing.

LJMU has committed to extending its outreach activities for service children, as part of its Access and Participation Plan, ensuring that this group is equipped with the knowledge and skills required to successfully access higher education and to help narrow this equality gap.

Last week saw the first engagement of a series of planned activities take place with Ministry of Defence schools. Young people from St John’s Secondary School located within the British military complex Episkopi Cantonment in Cyprus, and King Richard School serving Dhekelia Cantonment and nearby Ayios Nikolaos station also in Cyprus, experienced a variety of subject taster activities on campus in Liverpool. They also heard from three current LJMU students who were previously at St John’s and King Richard as children of service personnel.

It was fabulous to hear our own students reflect on their experiences and give advice to the young people from a similar background about opportunities available, and what to think about in preparing for the next stage in their education.

Working with St John's Secondary School and King Richard School, we were able to design a motivational day based on the pupils' needs, tailoring a schedule including interactive academic sessions based on subjects the schools had expressed an interest in.

Dave Leigh, from LJMU’s Outreach Team

Further in person and online events designed to support service children will take place over the coming months.

Outreach for service children is part of a broader strategy and commitment from LJMU to support the Armed Forces community. Find out more about LJMU’s pledge under the Armed Forces Covenant.