From Service Child to Future Educator: Why Military Experience Belongs in Every Classroom
19 year-old student Holly grew up in a service family. Now at uni training to be a teacher, she’s on a mission to support other children and young people with military connections.
She writes about how the Covenant Fund’s work to help schools better understand children’s unique needs and to enable them to reach their potential should remain a big focus in the next ten years…
Growing up as a service child in the UK to me meant living a life shaped by separation (deployments, weekending, duties, exercises, the list goes on), but also meant resilience and quiet strength. My Dad’s military service wasn’t just a backdrop—it was the rhythm of my childhood. Now, as a university student training to become a teacher, I want to carry that rhythm with me into the classroom, determined to ensure that the contributions of military families are not only recognised but celebrated in education. I aspire to be the support system that I had throughout my education, and with the help from programmes provided by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
Why It Matters
Service children face many unique challenges such as frequent relocations, long periods of parental absence, and the emotional rollercoaster of experiencing military life. These experiences can have detrimental impacts on a young person’s growth and development throughout, not only their personal life but their educational journey. Impacts include disrupted learning, affected wellbeing, and a strong sense of loneliness which can make it harder to feel a sense of belonging in a classroom setting. However, these same children that face so many unique challenges often develop remarkable adaptability, empathy, and resilience.
As future teachers, we have a responsibility to understand and support these pupils. Recognising their backgrounds isn’t about offering sympathy—it’s about creating equity. It’s about ensuring that every child, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to thrive. I want to be able to motivate my students and show them that their path in life is not defined by their experiences, but shaped by their passions and drive.
What I Hope to Achieve
As a student teacher, I am determined to be a voice for all service children. I want to create safe, supportive and inclusive spaces where their experiences are understood and valued. I hope to:
- Be a role model for pupils who feel different or displaced, showing them that their story is a strength.
- Advocate for awareness of military life in school policies, staff training, and classroom conversations.
- Design inclusive practices that reflect the diversity of family experiences, including those shaped by service.
- Build bridges between schools and military communities, helping families feel supported from day one.
- Lead change by embedding service pupil support into the heart of school culture—not as an add-on, but as a core value.
Looking Ahead
Military service contributes so much to our society, and its impact reaches far beyond the battlefield. In education, we have the power to honour that contribution—not just through words, but through actions. As I step into my teaching career, I carry with me the lessons of my upbringing and the hope that every service child will be seen, heard, and supported.
Because when we recognise the power in their stories, we build stronger schools for everyone.
This is the empowerment and inclusion all schools should strive to achieve, providing our children with the best start possible to their educational journey.