Rydal Penrhos answers the key questions service families consider before enrolling their child at our school. 

At Rydal Penrhos, we warmly welcome service families into our school community, while recognising the unique challenges and circumstances they face.

We strive to make life as easy as possible for parents and carers, providing an exceptional, well-rounded education and care for all pupils.

This commitment extends to the many new service families who join Rydal Penrhos from across North Wales every year, often making use of our daily bus routes that cover all corners of the region.

To help service families who might be considering our school, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to provide further insight into our provision for the armed forces and veteran communities:

Is Rydal Penrhos a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, and how does the school uphold its principles?

Yes, the school is a signatory. The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise we make to ensure fair treatment for those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces and their families.

At Rydal Penrhos, we honour this covenant by ensuring that service children receive the same access to educational and pastoral support as other pupils, alongside specialist, tailored support for their unique circumstances.

How does Rydal Penrhos support the unique needs of service children?

We work hard to ensure service children are never disadvantaged due to the challenges that arise from their family’s service commitments, such as mobility, deployment, and social integration. Our support includes tailored academic assistance, mental health and well-being programmes, and pastoral care.

We actively listen to service children through our School Council, Peer Mentoring Programme, PSHE Curriculum, the TootToot app, and various Health and Wellbeing initiatives to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are met.

What specific resources and programmes does the school offer for service families?

We offer a range of resources and programmes including:

• The expertise of our teachers and pastoral team, who clearly understand service children’s experiences and their potential impact on education.
• Active engagement with SSCE Cymru and utilisation of their resources. As part of the weekly digital update, parents and carers are given access to the latest SSCE Newsletter.
• Additional, bespoke information and support in our Welcome Pack for service families joining the school.

How does Rydal Penrhos engage with the Armed Forces community?

As a school, we actively participate in our local authority Armed Forces Forum to stay informed and connected. We commemorate significant events such as Remembrance Day and educate all pupils about the Armed Forces community’s experiences and commitments. By promoting and respecting the achievements of our Armed Forces families, we foster a supportive and inclusive school environment.

Who can I contact for more information or specific queries regarding support for service families at Rydal Penrhos?

For any queries regarding service children or the support offered by Rydal Penrhos, please feel free to reach out to our dedicated point of contact, Mrs Hannah Skinner. As both a parent and member of staff from a service family at Rydal Penrhos, Mrs Skinner brings a wealth of insight and experience. You can email Mrs Skinner at HSkinner@rydalpenrhos.com.