Staff and students from The 3-18 Education Trust visited RAF Shawbury yesterday to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, marking the Trust’s formal commitment to supporting Forces personnel, children and families across its Shropshire schools.
Trust Covenant signing visit
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, including the bereaved, are treated fairly.
The 3-18 Education Trust is committed to supporting children and young people from Service families who may experience frequent school moves and the challenges of family separation during deployment. There are currently over 150 Service children across the Trust’s schools in Shropshire.
The Trust’s focus on education and wellbeing includes:
- Pastoral liaison roles in schools with a high number of Service pupils
- Close working with Family Liaison Teams
- Effective use of the Service Pupil Premium
- Support for cadet organisations
As an employer, the Trust is also committed to flexible employment practices for Service spouses and Reservists, and to recognising military skills and qualifications in recruitment.
David O’Toole, CEO of The 3-18 Education Trust, formally signed the covenant and said:
“Signing the Armed Forces Covenant is something we have wanted to do for some time, and doing so here at RAF Shawbury feels entirely right. The values that underpin service life — commitment, resilience, teamwork and a strong sense of duty — are values we recognise and value across our schools. This Covenant reflects our commitment to standing behind those who serve, and the families who support them. It is about ensuring that, in our schools and as an organisation, they feel understood, supported and able to thrive.”
The signing was also attended by Mark Cooper, Headteacher, and Ruth Holland, Service Child Coordinator, from Thomas Adams School in Wem, alongside Penny Lyall, Headteacher, and Alison Clarkson, Teaching Assistant, from Hodnet Primary School. Pupils from both schools also attended the visit.
The signing was hosted in partnership with RAF Shawbury and Shropshire Council’s Armed Forces Covenant Lead, Sean McCarthy.
RAF Shawbury Station Commander, Wing Commander Paddy Durnin, said:
“I am delighted that RAF Shawbury is able to host the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant by The 3-18 Education Trust. Education is always one of the first thoughts for Service families as we face frequent moves. We are particularly lucky that the two schools represented today, Thomas Adams School and Hodnet Primary School have an excellent understanding of the support required by Service parents and children. By signing the Covenant, the CEO is underlining the commitment of The 3-18 Education Trust across all their schools, for which we as a Service community are very grateful.”
Councillor Gary Groves, Shropshire Council’s Armed Forces Champion, added:
“It is a real pleasure to see The 3-18 Education Trust formally signing the Armed Forces Covenant here at RAF Shawbury. This commitment sends a clear message that Service families in Shropshire will be recognised, understood and supported. Children from Armed Forces backgrounds often show remarkable resilience, but they can also face unique challenges. By putting the right support in place – both in the classroom and beyond – the Trust is helping to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive. On behalf of Shropshire Council, I welcome this positive step and look forward to continuing to work together to support our Armed Forces community.”
Signing the covenant forms part of The 3-18 Education Trust’s longer-term ambition to achieve recognition through the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, recognising organisations that demonstrate a strong and sustained commitment to the Armed Forces community.
Notes for Editors:
The 3-18 Education Trust is a Shropshire-based Multi-Academy Trust providing a high quality, aspirational education from early years through to post-16.
Our Trust comprises of eleven schools bringing together a vibrant and diverse community of 5,600 students, 840 teaching and support staff and 110 governors.
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