Admissions to SCE Schools
Entitlement to education free of cost to parents
Children of the following categories of MoD personnel are entitled to free education in SCE Schools provided that their presence in the overseas command area is recognised officially:
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Children of serving officers, ratings and other ranks of the Royal Navy.
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Children of serving Army officers and soldiers, whose home service base is the United Kingdom.
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Children of serving officers, airmen and airwomen of the Royal Air Force.
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Children of United Kingdom-based civilian staff and employees of the MoD and its Agencies.
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Children of Service personnel on loan or secondment to Commonwealth or foreign governments - unless there is a contract of service between the parent and the government concerned which covers the provision of children's education.
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Children of staff of other government departments who are recruited and based in the United Kingdom, if the department concerned has approved the attendance of the children in SCE Schools and has agreed to meet the fees.
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Children of parents serving on exchange with British Forces where reciprocal arrangements exist.
When in doubt, the advice of HQ SCE should be sought.
For the British Section of SHAPE School only:
Children of parents who have non fee-paying status under the SHAPE International School Memorandum of Understanding.
Application for admission to an SCE School should be made by the parent to the headteacher of the school. Parents will need to complete an admission form SCE Form 3.1 and have it endorsed by their employing Unit certifying their entitlement to free education in an SCE School.
A child continues to be entitled to a place in an SCE School during periods when the head of household is temporarily detached to another location (for example, for a short tour of duty, exercise, training or active service), provided that the head of household and his/her family remain normally and officially resident in the overseas command.
The parent(s) / carer(s) of a child who is entitled to a place in an SCE School, but who is also entitled by virtue of his/her nationality to a free place at a host nation school, may seek admission to such a school in preference to an SCE School. However, where there is a designated SCE School serving the area in which the parent is living, responsibility for transport to the host nation school, or for any associated educational expenses, rests with the parent, and may not be reclaimed.
A child of a foreign-born spouse who returns to his/her country of origin when the head of household is posted on an unaccompanied tour overseas, or for genuine compassionate reasons, may attend an SCE School in that country for the duration of the head of household's unaccompanied tour, subject to the agreement of, and any conditions imposed by, the MoD or SCE. However, neither the spouse nor the child will be entitled to local British Forces status during this period. An application for an SCE School place in the country of origin must be submitted to HQ SCE for approval before the child is enrolled.
In the case of married accompanied Gurkha personnel serving in Seria Garrison, Brunei, children of Primary School or Foundation Stage age may attend Hornbill School, Seria. Children of Secondary School age may attend Jerudong International School as weekly boarders provided that they meet the school’s admission criteria.
Updated: 13/06/07
