22 June 2022
A south Powys primary school that has created a positive environment for Service children has received a prestigious award from the Minister for Education and Welsh Language.
Mount Street Junior School in Brecon has become the first school in Wales to achieve SSCE Cymru Armed Forces Friendly Schools Bronze Status.
The school received their certificate from the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, On Monday, June 13.
Funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, the Armed Forces Friendly Schools Status aims to:
- Embed good practice for supporting Service children
- Create a positive environment for Service children to share their experiences
- Encourage schools to become more engaged with their Armed Forces community.
The status demonstrates a school’s commitment to the Armed Forces community.
The Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, said: “Mount Street Junior School is leading the way in providing a warm and friendly welcome to Service children, while building really important relationships with the local Armed Forces community. Congratulations to Mount Street on becoming the first school in Wales to attain the Armed Forces Friendly School Bronze Award.”
Cllr Pete Roberts, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “To become the first school in Wales to achieve bronze status is a great achievement and I would like to congratulate everyone at Mount Street Junior School for their success.”
Mr Julian Hopkins, Headteacher of Mount Street Junior School, said: “The Award is indicative of the inclusive ethos of the school. The life of service families can be challenging and it is fundamental to our approach as a Community School, that all new members of the community are welcomed and receive the best possible support to settle in.
“The wonderful thing is that Service pupils assimilate quickly into school. That is great credit to the other children and staff. The school recognises that transition for Service families is a way of life, and this is not only a challenge, but also to be celebrated, as children from diverse backgrounds join our roll.
“We are very proud of the Award and working with SSCE Cymru has provided us a clear strategy in developing this provision. To be the first school in Wales to receive this is a great honour.”
Brigadier Andrew Dawes CBE, Head of the Army in Wales, said: “On behalf of the military community based or settled in Wales, I’m thrilled that this scheme recognises the vital support our children receive in the wonderful schools that we are blessed with right across Wales. Thank you for your amazing support and for continuing to nurture the education of our children as a Forces Friendly School. Congratulations for this special recognition.”
Millie Taylor, SSCE Cymru Programme Manager, said: “The launch of Armed Forces Friendly Schools Cymru has been a huge success and a fantastic way to recognise the growing collaboration between education and the Armed Forces community. The SSCE Cymru team work closely with school across Wales to support them in understanding the needs of Service children, celebrating their experiences and engaging with the Armed Forces.
“Congratulations to Mount Street Junior School on being the first school in Wales to achieve their Bronze status. This achievement is well deserved and we look forward to sharing examples of their good practice with many more schools in Wales.”
