We frequently hear from families wanting to know what support is available to service children when their circumstances are a bit outside the norm. So we’ve put together some FAQs and answers on Service Pupil Premium (SPP) and the MOD’s Wrap Around Childcare offer (WAC).
WHAT IS SPP?
State schools, academies and free schools in England can get SPP funding for children from service families in reception through to Year 11. This funding helps schools provide extra support that service children might need. It’s paid to the schools and they determine how it’s spent so it isn’t specifically allocated to an individual child. Full details about SPP can be found on gov.uk by searching ‘Service Pupil Premium’.
WHAT IS WAC?
Wrap Around Childcare helps eligible UK Armed Forces families with the cost of before and after-school childcare for school-aged children. Serving personnel can claim back up to 20 hours a week of childcare costs during term time. Full details are available on Discover My Benefits.
MY PARTNER IS IN THE FULL TIME RESERVE SERVICE. CAN WE USE WAC TO PAY FOR AFTER-SCHOOL CLUB?
If your partner is serving in the Armed Forces on FTRS, either on full commitment, limited commitment or home commitment, and you meet all the other requirements, then yes, you can claim WAC to help with childcare costs.
I AM A SINGLE SERVICE PARENT AND SHARE CARE OF MY CHILD. CAN I CLAIM WAC FOR BREAKFAST CLUB ON THE DAYS THEY ARE WITH ME?
To qualify, your child must normally live with the serving parent at least half of the time and they should have parental responsibility. The only exceptions to this rule are when separation is due to service reasons (such as deployment or training) or when the serving person is on unaccompanied overseas postings.
I AM A RESERVIST. DOES MY CHILD QUALIFY FOR SPP?
Children may be eligible if the parent is FTRS on full commitment, or if the parent previously served as a Regular and the child has already been recorded as a service child at school, in which case they can continue to receive SPP for up to six years after the serving person left the Army.
MY HUSBAND IS IN THE ARMY BUT IS LEAVING THIS YEAR. WILL MY CHILDREN STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR SPP?
Yes, provided the child has already been recorded as a service child on a school census. Once the parent is no longer serving then any children would remain eligible for SPP for up to six years after the parent leaves the Armed Forces.
WE ARE MOVING FROM ENGLAND TO ANOTHER PART OF THE UK. WILL MY CHILD STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR SPP?
SPP is only available in England. If you move within England, your child will remain eligibile to receive it as long as the criteria are met. If you move to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, SPP will no longer apply, although those nations have their own arrangements to support service children and information about these can be found at aff.org.uk.