Armed Forces Covenant

On 11th November 2024, the Royal Alexandra and Albert School signed the Armed Forces Covenant. It is the school’s commitment to uphold the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. The school recognises the contribution that Service personnel, both regular and reservist, veterans and military families make to our organisation, our community and to the country.

The Armed Forces Covenant

An Enduring Covenant Between

The People of the United Kingdom

His Majesty’s Government

and  –

All those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their Families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most, such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

References to the The Royal Alexandra & Albert School refer to both the School and the charitable foundation of the same name registered under charity number 311945.

Section 1: Principles of The Armed Forces Covenant

2.1 We, The Royal Alexandra & Albert School, will endeavour to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant:

• Members of the Armed Forces Community should not face disadvantages arising from their service in the provision of public and commercial services.
• In some circumstances special provision may be justified, especially for those who have given the most, such as the injured or bereaved.

Section 2: Demonstrating our Commitment

2.2 We recognise the contribution that Service personnel, reservists, veterans, the cadet movement and military families make to our organisation, our community and to the country. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant by:

• Promoting our support for the Armed Forces Covenant and the Armed Forces Community generally working closely in partnership with our Armed Forces Champion and Covenant Lead.
• Supporting children of Armed Forces families that we educate through initiatives designed to recognise their unique challenges and circumstances, including celebrating the month of the military child in April each year. 
• Offering an enhanced support package to our MOD families such as a dedicated MOD coordinator to support military students and additional flexibility in the admissions process.
• Seeking to  support employment of veteran members of the Armed Forces Community recognising the transferable skills that these individuals will bring to our organisation. 
• Seeking to support employment of spouses and partners of members of the Armed Forces.
• Seeking to support any of our employees who choose to be members of the Reserve Forces including allowing leave for training or deployment purposes wherever possible.
• Supporting the Royal Alexandra & Albert School Cadet detachment by providing suitable space for cadet meetings and activities where possible, encouraging student membership and participation in relevant events.
• Seeking to support and collaborate with other charities and organisations with the charitable objective of supporting the military community including offering a discounted rate on the letting of our premises to host charitable events. 
• Aiming to actively participate in Armed Forces Day 

2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our website and social media channels as appropriate, setting out how we are honouring our commitment to the covenant and, where possible, encouraging our own suppliers to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant themselves.