Lincolnshire Festival of Friends: Empowering Service Pupils

On 6th June 2024, 27 schools came together at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln to celebrate the Lincolnshire Festival of Friends. This inspiring event showcased completed and ongoing projects designed to enhance the lives of Service Pupils. Over the course of the yearlong initiative, more than 35 schools across Lincolnshire participated, making a significant impact on the education and wellbeing of Service Pupils throughout the county.

Empowering Schools to support Service Pupils

The project, funded by LiNCHigher and the Armed Forces Education Trust and supported by Lincolnshire County Council, provided schools with access to specialised training through the Service Children’s Progression Alliance (SCiP) Thriving Lives Toolkit. Delivered by independent education consultant Matt Blyton, the training enabled schools to identify challenges faced by Service Pupils and implement tailored solutions to support them.

The festival not only celebrated these achievements but also offered a platform for educators to share best practices and build a sense of community. Schools showcased a variety of initiatives, including mentoring programmes, curriculum adaptations, and extracurricular activities designed to build resilience and a sense of belonging among Service Pupils.

One school introduced a peer-mentoring programme, pairing Key Stage 3 Service Pupils with primary-aged pupils to foster leadership skills and create a support network. Another developed welcome packs for students joining mid-year, which included a letter from the headteacher, a school map, and a buddy system to help ease transitions. Extracurricular activities, such as arts and sports clubs, focused on resilience and emotional wellbeing, offering Service Pupils opportunities for self-expression and teamwork. These initiatives helped address the unique challenges Service Pupils face, including frequent relocations and family separations.

On 6th June 2024, 27 schools came together at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln to celebrate the Lincolnshire Festival of Friends.

Community engagement and future plans

The Lincolnshire Festival of Friends also highlighted the importance of community engagement in supporting Service Pupils. Schools partnered with local military bases, veteran organisations, and community groups to foster a more inclusive environment for Service Pupils and their families. These collaborations strengthened ties between schools and their communities, providing ongoing resources and support.

Building on this year’s success, plans are underway to expand the use of the Thriving Lives Toolkit and develop new resources to address the evolving needs of Service Pupils. Schools aim to sustain the momentum created by this project by continuing to adapt their strategies and ensure that every Service Pupil thrives academically, socially, and emotionally.

The Lincolnshire Festival of Friends has been a milestone event, celebrating the collective efforts of schools to enhance the educational experiences of Service Pupils. Through targeted projects, specialised training, and community collaboration, the initiative has not only enriched the lives of Service Pupils but also transformed the educational landscape in Lincolnshire. As the festival continues to grow, it promises to inspire innovation and strengthen the commitment to supporting Service Pupils for years to come. To view the Lincolnshire's Festival of Friends booklet visit here.