Defence Children Services

Educate the Child, Support the Family, Defend the Nation

Welcome to the Defence Children Services website

Defence Children’s Service (DCS) is a pan-defence organisation within the Ministry of Defence supporting service families and MOD entitled civilians at every stage of the family’s educational journey wherever they are in the world.

DCS provides specialist educational advice, guidance and safeguarding support both in the UK and overseas. We also deliver education across 20 schools and settings around the world, and for children living overseas without access to a DCS school, further support can be provided via the MOD Virtual School.

This website provides the information and details required to help you and your family transfer, settle and be supported through education whilst you are overseas.

About us

Meet the Head of Defence Children Services, Mr L J Drummond MBE MBA

Leigh Drummond is responsible for the overall delivery of DCS’s mission, ensuring that Defence children receive the best possible education and care from its schools and early years settings, alongside support for those in non-Defence schools from the Virtual School. His role is to bring together and lead DCS’s talented and committed education professionals and civil servants to deliver an education experience that smooths out the challenges of Service life for children and parents.

head dcs
our vision

Education Advisory Team (UK) (EAT (UK))

EAT (UK is a Tri-Service organisation which supports operational effectiveness through the provision of support to Service and eligible MOD civilian families trying to secure appropriate educational provision for their children in the UK.

The EAT(UK) Team provide authoritative, bespoke and professional advice to Service and eligible MOD civilian families on a wide range of educational issues within the UK.

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Overseas Education and Supportability Team (OEST)

The OEST provides professional information, advice and guidance for Service Personnel and eligible MOD civilians regarding the education of their children in overseas locations. OEST also provides educational advice and support for overseas commands and DCS Schools and Settings.

The team coordinates the DCS Assessment of Support Needs process as per MOD policy for overseas postings. 

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DCS Schools & Settings Locations

DCS Schools & Settings deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (2021) to six Nursery Settings and the English National Curriculum (2014) to eleven Primary Schools and two Secondary Schools in overseas locations.

In addition to schools overseas, there is a MOD secondary boarding school in Scotland which follows the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence (2010).

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Education & Care Strategy

Our Education & Care Strategy, (2026 and beyond) has been developed to meet the terms of the DCS Mission, Vision and Aims. We have created an education and care strategy following an extensive consultation process involving all of key stakeholders in all of our locations across the globe. The Strategy has eight Developmental Aspects (DA) as shared below, and ten Enriching Aspects each with their own unique targets and future actions.

DA1: Educator

To ensure that all children attending our schools and settings have the very best educational experience, our Educator documents ensure that DCS expectations, standards and shared and understood.

DA2: Child & Parent

Children and Parents are supported through a range of induction processes, support materials, perspectives and platforms (such as this website).

DA3: Learning & Teaching

A range of documents and actions detailing the expected principles, philosophy and Global
Framework for Excellence in relation to Teaching & Learning in all schools and settings.

DA4: Care for All

A detailed set of documents and policies are being introduced for five Enriching Aspects: Safeguarding, Pastoral Support, SEND., Transition & EAL.

DA5: Curriculum

A range of overarching curriculum documents are being produced surrounding Vision and Global
Framework for Excellence in relation to the curriculum offer in all of our Schools and
Settings.

DA6: Assessment, Recording & Reporting Arrangements

A range of documents for all schools to follow which lays out the expectations and principles for
assessment, recording and reporting.

DA7: Culture & Leadership

As we develop our leaders and workplace culture we are becoming a stronger, united, organisation.

DA8: Standardisation, Alignment & Empowerment

Our final aspect focuses on processes and procedures though five Enriching Aspects: Publicity, Communication, Website, Procedure (ways of working), and Education Policies.


If you are concerned about the safeguarding or wellbeing of any child in a DCS School or Setting, please contact their Head Teacher, Deputy Head Teacher, Setting Manager or Chair of their local School Governance Committee (SGC).

DCS News

“Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world”

Nelson Mandela, 1990

Compliance

Additional Formatting

  • If you would like paper copies of any document listed on this website please contact the school or setting office who will be able to provide these for you.

Note:

Additional information can be obtained from the GOV.UK website by following this link: Defence Children Services (DCS) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Educate the Child, Support the Family, Defend the Nation