Virtual school is by your side around the world

October 9, 2023

There are more than 100 assignment locations across the world and around 4,000 children who are accompanying their serving parents.

It is important that the MOD is aware of where these children are and how they can best help them on their educational journey, so Strategic Command and the army asked Defence Children Services (DCS) to set up a virtual school to help support them.

In September last year the MOD Virtual School (MODVS) was launched with headteacher Shena Washer in charge.

Shena Washer

WHAT IS THE MODVS?

The MODVS has been set up to oversee the safety, welfare and education of those children who accompany their parents on assignments to overseas locations. It is there to offer further support for children who are educated in non-DCS schools, as well as those who are home educated.

The MODVS is there to provide advice and support to parents, schools and commands about educational matters that may arise overseas. Working in partnership with schools and families, the MODVS team will monitor a child’s attendance, achievement and safety. It’s there to offer additional support to parents to ensure that every child is given the best life chances.

The virtual school does not have a building, and children remain the responsibility of the school at which they are enrolled (or the parents for those home educated).

DO FAMILIES NEED TO ENROL THEIR CHILD AT THE VIRTUAL SCHOOL?

Children moving to schools in non-DCS locations will automatically be enrolled in the MODVS once the serving person has received their confirmation of educational supportability from DCS.

From this point Shena will act as a contact point for parents, schools and commands who need advice and guidance. The MODVS will also track the children’s educational journey from the UK and back to lessen the chance of children going missing from the education system as they travel with their parents.

WHICH AREAS DOES IT COVER AND WHAT SUPPORT DOES IT OFFER?

The school covers families posted overseas in non-DCS school locations, excluding USA, Australia and New Zealand.

The MODVS can provide advice and support with any aspect of education overseas, including:

SEND
curriculum enquiries
academic progress
concerns on the quality of education
attendance questions
support during transition.

The MODVS will monitor the locations of families who home educate their children abroad and can provide advice and support if needed.

Shena is available to attend meetings with parents and schools and this can often put parents at ease and explain the ‘educational jargon’.

In April she visited schools in Kenya which are currently attended by more than 100 service children.

HOW CAN YOU BE CONTACTED?

The MODVS can only be contacted once families are overseas. Email RC-DCS-HQ-MODVS@mod.gov.uk. This email can be used by either the serving person or the spouse/partner. The MODVS is hoping to eventually extend the area it covers to include all overseas locations worldwide.