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.
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.
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.
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.
Defence Children Services students celebrate 2026 exam results
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).
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
- Defence Children Services students celebrate 2026 exam results
Defence Children Services (DCS) schools are celebrating another year of impressive results, with many students progressing to university, military careers and… Read more: Defence Children Services students celebrate 2026 exam results - Cyprus schools celebrate national success at Poetry by Heart grand finale
On Monday 6th July 2026, three pupils from Defence Children Services schools in Cyprus travelled to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in… Read more: Cyprus schools celebrate national success at Poetry by Heart grand finale - Defence Children Services Honour the Month of the Military Child 2026
April is Month of the Military Child, a moment each year to pause, reflect and celebrate the extraordinary children and… Read more: Defence Children Services Honour the Month of the Military Child 2026 - A Guide to Celebrating the Month of the Military Child in April 2026
What is the Month of the Military Child? The Month of the Military Child is an annual event held in… Read more: A Guide to Celebrating the Month of the Military Child in April 2026 - From the Classroom to the House of Commons: A Proud Moment for King Richard School
Stepping out of your comfort zone is never easy, but it can open doors to extraordinary opportunities. One of our… Read more: From the Classroom to the House of Commons: A Proud Moment for King Richard School - A global act of remembrance: how Defence Children Services marked 11 November 2025
Children and staff across Defence Children Services (DCS) schools and settings fell silent on 11 November as they joined the… Read more: A global act of remembrance: how Defence Children Services marked 11 November 2025
“Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world”
Nelson Mandela, 1990
Compliance
- The School Information (England) Regulations 2008, as amended by the School Information (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 and 2016
- the Equality Act 2010
- the Children and Families Act 2014
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