SSAFA's new Serving Community Team donates to Larkhill Primary School

06 October 2022

SSAFA has supported Larkhill Primary School, which has a large proportion of service people’s children in attendance, with a donation of £1500 towards their literacy program.

Larkhill School typically takes children from the serving community in Larkhill, Bulford and Tidworth. Schools which accept a high proportion of military children face challenges that ordinary schools do not.  Many children’s families are only posted to the area for two years, meaning disruption and confusion for many children, even mid-term. As a consequence of this, average reading levels are sometimes lower, especially among children who come from Foreign and Commonwealth countries, where English may not be their first language.

Chris Hotham, chair of the SSAFA Serving Community Team said:  “This is one the largest grants we have approved and we are proud to support the school in such a worthwhile program which helps children to develop the essential life skill of reading.

“The money will be used to purchase a program called ‘Clicker”, an interactive program which is accessible via the use of the school iPads.  The major benefit is that it is very motivating and encourages learning.  Children also feel intensely successful, which is so important to help them to become confident enthusiastic readers.”

Chris, a former Headteacher, explained more about the SCT, a new initiative by SSAFA in seven pilot areas around England and Wales.

Chris said: “The new SSAFA Serving Community Teams are there to involve themselves with serving soldiers, families, communities, and local schools. We’re all volunteers who fundraise and can offer help to the community through financial support in the form of grants, as well as providing practical help at home.”