Dereham Neatherd High School
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-10)

We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.

The Armed Forces Covenant

An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her 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.

Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

1.1 We Dereham Neatherd High School will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment

2.1 Dereham Neatherd High School recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- Armed Forces Day
We also pledge the following:

We actively promote the fact that we are an armed forces-friendly organisation by participating in the act of Remembrance at Dereham Neatherd High School, remembering all who have fallen in past and present wars. We ensure that both parents and students have a named point of contact, by sending a letter of introduction, a contact email address and a questionnaire, annually, to our Service Pupil Premium parents. Additionally, parents and students can contact me instantly and directly if the need arises so the appropriate level of support is delivered and maintained. We provide Forces students with the appropriate support and guidance by regularly carrying out one to one check-ins and so ensuring, we at Dereham Neatherd High School personally know and can identify the importance of our Forces students and therefore have a real understanding of the provisions and support require. We ensure that Services students do not become academically disadvantaged (due to being mobile), by providing extra support in maths and English (if required). We will provide revision guides and educational resources, if applicable and appropriate, on long-term loan. We provide a base -The Gateway- to provide students with academic, pastoral and homework support and somewhere that Services Students know that they have a point of contact during the school day to share any concerns or ask for advice or support. We provide regular updates to staff, outlining any changes in circumstances (such as deployment or postings) so the appropriate level of support can be provided for the student (and families). We are sensitive to Services students absence for occasions such as deployment and coming home parades. We provide a weekly lunch-time drop in with specialist support, for Services students and their friends giving them an opportunity to meet other Services students and obtain resources and support if required. We support bereaved Services Pupil Premium students by partaking in The Norfolk County Council Abeona Scheme; creating personal education plans to support them and their families throughout their time at Neatherd High School. We will strive to provide for and support our Services community with pride and sensitivity throughout their time at Dereham Neatherd High School

2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.