Whether it’s scrunched into the school bag or landing with the ping of an inbox, school reports are being delivered all over the country. As a former teacher, I’m not sure this time of year ever feels quite the same ever again! I’ve written my fair share of them over the years. I’ve read them as a parent. And now, in this role which I’m so privileged to hold, I get to reflect on the school year in a very different way.

My time working in education – and as former serving Royal Navy mum – means I’m particularly passionate about the experiences of children and young people as part of the wider armed forces community. And there are a lot of them: an estimated 86,600 at last count (based on numerous reports: there is no reliable, single dataset across the UK) excepting Northern Ireland.

As a child or young person in an armed forces family, you may have incredible opportunities to build all sorts of skills, and to see amazing places. But you may also experience challenges.