Dandelions is our club for Service Children. The club gives Service Children a chance to get to know each other; support each other and have fun in a relaxed environment. As described by a Year 2 child “it’s our club family at school”. The club was named by a Year 6 pupil, explaining that “dandelions are like Service children because they blow around in the wind but wherever they settle, they thrive.”

                                                          

We have special books and teddies in the library that can help us if our parent is deployed or working away. Our club is run by Mrs Sullivan and Mrs Cheeseman who are both members of the Armed Forces Community.

 

 

 

Last May the school applied to the MOD Armed Forces Families for funding to develop our provision for service families.

The intention of the funding is to aid schools with the closing of gaps as well as support the social and emotional wellbeing of our service children.

Over the summer holidays we received the news that the Trust has awarded us a grant of £18663! This is an amazing amount of money which will be used to support the start of a new project, called ‘Dandelions Forces retreat’.

The grant will be going towards the provision of a yurt in the school grounds and the funding for an academic year of small group and 1:1 Forest School sessions lead by Pachamama’s Forest School..

Please find below a link to a “Naval Families Federation” web page from which you can order a free book that might support your child during separation/deployments as well as the list of books you are able to choose from this link

Family-Resource-project-details

Dandelions have enjoyed hosting Red White and Blue day. The children hosted an assembly and encouraged all children to wear non-school uniform in return for a donation that goes towards supporting three military charities.

We have been thinking about the wider world and looking at maps and globes when talking about deployed family members. The children have been sharing their experiences to support each other.

Jesus says, “All things are possible if you believe.”