In Extra Command Areas (ECAs) and Isolated Detachments (ISODETs) overseas, it is unlikely that there will be an SCE school provided. In such circumstances, it is important to obtain the best possible advice on the educational options available. Useful information may be obtained from the person who is being replaced at post or the Commanding Officer of the receiving unit, but in every case the advice of the Children’s Education Advisory Service (CEAS) should be sought.
Personnel posted to the United States should are advised to also contact the Community Liaison Officer (CLO) and Head of Defence Administration Personal Services at the British Embassy, Washington, BFPO 2.
Local non-SCE schools
One of the options available to parents is the use of local schools. These may be state schools, to which pupils are admitted free of charge, or they may be independent fee-paying schools where the teaching language is English. In the latter case, necessarily incurred school fees will be reimbursed in accordance with MOD policy and guidance.
Local provision will almost certainly not follow the National Curriculum taught in schools in the UK. Some subjects, such as religious education (which is a compulsory subject in the National Curriculum), will possibly not appear at all, whilst in others the syllabus, teaching approach or coverage may be very different. In addition, National Curriculum assessments and tests will not be carried out at the end of each Key Stage.
A further difference is that, in many locations, children do not begin formal schooling until they are six or seven years old. The extent to which these differences will prove to be disadvantageous will depend on a number of factors, not the least of which is the age of the child. Many parents of children in the primary school age group would take the view that the benefits of experiencing education and life in a foreign country outweigh any disadvantage that their sons and daughters might encounter on re-entering the British system of education.
Secondary Education
At the secondary stage the picture changes somewhat, as schools outside the UK work towards different examinations and qualifications. Parents who are about to be posted to an ECA or ISODET should always be prepared to consider the option of sending their older children to a boarding school in the UK, where they can be assured of following a curriculum leading to GCSEs and A Levels (or similar in Scotland and Northern Ireland).
The potential difficulties that await a child, who is in the middle of an examination course, transferring back to the UK from the education system of another country, cannot be overstated. For this reason, boarding (either in the UK or at an SCE school) should be seriously considered for children who would otherwise be returning to the British system aged fourteen or more. Even the parents of a thirteen-year-old in the final year of Key Stage 3 would be well advised to ensure that their child was settled in a UK (or SCE) school.
Children in Germany – including Antwerp - will be expected to make use of the boarding facilities that exist at SCE secondary schools.
In a number of ECAs and ISODETs there are no local schools where the language of instruction is English, in which case assistance is given towards the cost of learning the local language.
ISODET and Extra Command Areas Nursery Allowance
In overseas areas where there is no SCE Foundation Stage or nursery provision but where there is a suitable alternative nursery provider - a nursery allowance is payable to entitled personnel.
The criteria for entitlement to the nursery allowance are in accordance with the entitlement to free education as set out in Joint Service Publication 342.
It is recognised that the alternative local providers of nursery education in ISODET areas may not meet all DfE requirements. Nevertheless, to qualify for payment to parents of the nursery education allowance, it is recommended that a non-SCE nursery provider meets the following criteria:
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DfE and Children Act recommended adult / child ratios are met
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the premises offer a safe environment for young childrenthe Commanding Officer of the claimant’s unit is satisfied that the above conditions are met
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there is no eligibility for the nursery education allowance in areas within reasonable travelling distance of publicly funded nursery education provision in SCE schools or FS1 settings
Eligibility for the nursery education allowance ceases in the following circumstances:
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when a child reaches the term before UK statutory school age, which is the term after the fifth birthday (i.e. at the beginning of the term in which the child has his/her fifth birthday)
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on the admission of a child to an SCE school or FS 1 setting
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on the admission of a child to a full-time place in a non-SCE school overseas
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from the date of return to the UK
Claims for refund of the nursery education fees – currently 12 ½ hours of publicly funded entitled nursery education will be met up to a ceiling determined annually by SCE. Enquiries regarding the ISODET nursery allowance should be addressed to:
School Budget Manager
HQ SCE
JHQ
BFPO 40
+49 2161 472 5565
For parents in ISODET areas where there is no suitable local nursery provider, an ISODET ‘Foundation Stage ‘Learning at Home’ pack for parents is available on loan from SCE. Details are available from the Inspector Adviser (Early Years) HQ SCE (Bielefeld office). Tel: Bielefeld Mil 948 81 3464 or Civil +49 521 9254 3464
Entitlement to refund of fees and expenses
Fees and expenses may be refunded from the start of the school term during which the child’s fifth birthday falls.
Such fees will be allowable only if the child is attending the equivalent of a school reception or year 1 class as distinct from a nursery class. In the latter case, the ISODET nursery allowance remains applicable in accordance with the details at Chapter 7, JSP 342.
The refund of fees and expenses will normally cease at the end of the academic year in which the child reaches the age of 18. However, in exceptional circumstances (e.g. serious illness) where the child’s education has been so disrupted that he/she could not successfully complete his/her course by that time, then the fees and expenses may be refunded up until the end of the academic year in which the child’s nineteenth birthday falls.
For fees and expenses to be refunded, any course of prolonged schooling must have started before a child’s eighteenth birthday.
The value of any scholarship awarded to Service children attending civilian schools overseas must be declared, so that the sums involved can be offset against fees.
Expenses admissible for refund
Items that are provided free of cost to parents in the United Kingdom are normally admissible for refund.
In ISODETs and ECAs where parents have chosen to make use of local, free educational provision, claims for additional expenses remain admissible.
The following items are normally admissible for refund:
This heading includes normal tuition fees (including registration and enrolment fees) and any other compulsory charges, such as insurance or school medical fees. However, fees for extra tuition will be reimbursed only when that extra tuition is necessary and would normally be a free entitlement under the United Kingdom system.
The cost of field study and residential educational courses, but not the board and lodging charges, will be refunded if it is required as part of a syllabus for a prescribed public examination.
Children who attend non-English speaking schools may need some tuition in the language of the host nation to enable them to pursue their normal education. Financial assistance within reasonable limits is available in respect of such tuition for children who are in the primary stage of their education. Such assistance will be given only if the tuition is considered essential and will not continue beyond the point at which the headteacher of the school concerned certifies that the necessary standard has been reached. It will in any case be limited to a maximum of five hours tuition per week, and for a maximum period of six months. The rate of pay for the language tutor will be limited in Germany to the maximum of the current DEL instructor rate and, elsewhere, as determined by CEAS. Applications for the refund of fees, accompanied by a statement of the circumstances, should be forwarded to CEAS, or, for schools in the BFG area, to SCE for approval.
If suitable day schools are not available locally, the cost of attendance at the nearest suitable boarding school overseas is admissible. A Home Savings Contribution is deducted from the amount to be refunded. Refunds for transport costs are allowed for one return journey per term, either by public transport or at the appropriate rate of mileage allowance where a private car is used. The provisions of this paragraph do not apply to children of secondary school age located in the BFG area, who are expected to make use of the boarding facilities which exist at SCE secondary schools.
The refund of the cost of essential books and stationery as required by the school authorities is admissible. Such claims are subject to audit by the paying officer, and refunds should be made only on production of suitable receipts.
Official transport should be provided wherever possible. When no Service provision can be made, the refund will be confined to the cheapest method appropriate to the area and the circumstances. Where a private car is used, the appropriate lower rate of mileage allowance may be claimed for the return journeys to and from school. Supplements for additional passengers are not payable. It the school provides transport, its cost may be reimbursed.
The following items are not admissible for refund:
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all items of clothing, including sportswear
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advance payments to secure entry to school
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the cost of meals excepts where these are included in boarding fees
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minor charges, e.g. the ‘school fund’, which parents would normally expect to pay in the United Kingdom
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charges for extracurricular activities, e.g. societies, clubs, school camps etc, which are not part of the normal school curriculum and which are normally paid for by the parent in the United Kingdom
Claim procedures
The authority for the refund of educational expenses is given either by HQ SCE for non-SCE schools in Germany or Antwerp, or by CEAS for schools elsewhere.
The entitled parent should complete part A of SCE Form 11.1 and submit the application through his or her commanding officer or head of department, who is to certify the suitability of the educational provision for which the authority for refund is sought. Where any doubt exists in this respect, the details should be referred either to HQ SCE or to CEAS for consideration. The authority, once given, will stand for recurring payments provided the circumstances do not change. SCE Form 11.2 is to be completed on each occasion a claim is submitted.
In all cases, it is the responsibility of the paying officer to satisfy himself/herself that MoD authority adequately covers the claim. Payment will be made only on production of supporting documentation or, in the case of transport expenses, by the submission of claims on SCE Form 11.3.
In non-SCE schools where English is not the medium of instruction, claims may be made for tuition to enable the pupil to gain a basic understanding of the language. Claims for such tuition will be paid upon submission of SCE Form 11.4.