The type and quality of education available will differ from country to country and often from one part of a country to another. Remember that what is right for one child is not necessarily right for another and the age and ability of your child will have an effect on your decision. The opportunity for a child to be educated in a different system and different culture can have tremendous advantages but you will have to weigh up carefully the advantages and disadvantages.
Education overseas can be roughly divided into four different types. There are areas where we have our own MOD schools provided through Service Children's Education, countries that are predominantly English speaking, countries that are non English speaking but where you have access to English speaking International schools and non English speaking countries where the only option is to attend the local school.
Service Children's Education (SCE)
SCE provides primary schools in parts of Germany, Cyprus, Belize, The Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and Brunei, Belguim, Italy and The Netherlands. There are also some middle schools and in Germany and Cyprus there are some secondary schools. In Germany some of the secondary schools provide weekly boarding so that if you live too far away for daily travel your child can board and come home to you at weekends.
SCE schools follow the English education system as closely as possible. Children take the key stage tests the same as in England and the schools are inspected by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted). Inspection reports can be found on the Ofsted website. SCE does not provide Special schools and cannot always provide the same level of support as that found in English schools. If you are offered an overseas posting, and your child has special educational needs, you must contact us to check if your child’s needs can be met.
Further information on SCE schools can be found on the SCE website. Click on the link opposite.
English Speaking Schools
If you are posted to an English speaking country your child will be able to attend the local state school. The school will follow the curriculum of that country and the English national curriculum will not be available. If there is a more appropriate independent day school available locally you may be eligible for an allowance to help you with the cost of the fees. Although your child will not be taught the English national curriculum every system has its own strengths which may more than compensate.
Non English Speaking Schools
If you are posted to a country where the local schools teach in a language other than English your child may be able to attend one of these schools. There is an allowance to help your child learn the local language but the provision available varies from country to country. The English national curriculum will not be available. Your child will need to have a real interest in languages if he/she is going to thrive in one of these schools.
International Schools
International schools are independent schools which can sometimes be found in non English speaking countries. These schools cater for the international community and the main language is usually English. In some of the International schools the curriculum follows the same pattern as in England but in others they may follow other systems such as the USA system. If there is an International school close to where you are posted you may be able to claim an allowance to attend the school.
Boarding Schools
If you decide that there is no suitable schooling for your child at the overseas posting you might want to consider boarding in the UK. The Continuity of Education Allowance is available for eligible service personnel to help them with the cost of boarding education. Look at the Boarding School page for more information.