The BSA has confirmed five ambassador schools for its new scheme helping service personnel and veterans move into boarding school roles.
The following schools will host orientation visits as part of a structured resettlement pathway that includes comprehensive training and mentoring:
- Duke of York’s Royal Military School
- Hurstpierpoint College
- Rugby School
- St Catherine’s, Bramley
- Wycliffe College
Three of the schools are led by ex-service personnel who themselves made the jump into residential education and would like to help others do the same.
Dominic Nott, Head, Hurstpierpoint College, said:
“During my short service in the British Army prior to entering the world of education I worked alongside some of the most capable, resourceful, reliable and adaptable colleagues that I have ever encountered. I am fully aware of the positive impact that former service personnel can have in boarding schools, and I am genuinely excited about the prospect of helping them make that transition.”
Emma Watson, a former Army helicopter pilot and Head, St Catherine’s Bramley, said:
“I am delighted to be part of this fantastic initiative and fully support the concept of offering a training and induction pathway for serving or former service personnel to explore careers in boarding. Having experienced at firsthand the qualities of resilience, initiative, flexibility and positivity that a career in the Armed Forces fosters I recognise the importance of creating an environment in school in which these attributes are valued. We look forward to welcoming participants into roles in which they will forge exciting new careers and in which they will inspire our students.”
Christian San José, a former infantry office and Head, Wycliffe College, said:
“Wycliffe College is delighted to support the BSA’s ASPIRE initiative as a programme ambassador school. Once upon a time, I was a service leaver myself and I would have hugely valued the support and expertise of Mark Mortimer and the BSA team in opening up employment pathways into boarding schools. Veterans offer so many directly transferrable skills and qualities that are of great value to boarding schools. They will find joining a resident community which serves pupils and their families with real purpose creates a sense of belonging that is very familiar to them.”
All the schools have strong links with the armed forces, including accommodating military children and recruiting ex-service personnel.
Alex Foreman, Head, Duke of York’s Royal Military School, said:
“Supporting ex-service personnel into boarding roles is a win-win. Students will benefit enormously from the resilience and life experience of participants, who will in turn embark upon a fulfilling career mentoring and nurturing young people.”
Gareth Parker-Jones, Head, Rugby School added:
“Becoming an ambassador for the BSA Aspire programme reflects Rugby School’s dedication to educating the whole person. Veterans bring experience, integrity and an ethos of service, along with discipline, resilience and leadership – qualities that enrich a boarding environment and support the whole point of a Rugby education: developing character as well as intellect. We look forward to welcoming participants into roles that will inspire our students.”
The schools span several regions: Gloucestershire, Kent, Surrey, Warwickshire, and West Sussex. They are predominantly co-educational independent schools catering for senior students with a few exceptions; St Catherines is for girls only, Duke of York’s Royal Military School is a state school (where the education is state-funded), and Wycliffe College accepts junior boarders. Together, they share 1,100 years of heritage.
Mark Mortimer, Director of Defence and Military Services, BSA, said:
“It is encouraging to see such strong early support from leading schools in recognition of the clear alignment between military values and the skills required in boarding. This is a great development for the ASPIRE programme and the many talented service personnel preparing for their next chapter.”
The ASPIRE programme is currently available at an introductory price of £750. An Individual Resettlement Training Costs (IRTC) grant of up to £534 may be available to those who have served within the last two years and completed six years of full-time service (or less if medically discharged or made redundant).
Find out more at boarding.org.uk/aspire.
Categories: Sector News
