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Children’s Education

In areas of North West Germany where there are significant military populations, the Ministry of Defence provides schools and pre-schools for the children of Service personnel, UK based civilians (UKBC) and other MOD employees. The schools provide the same pattern of education as that provided by local Education Authorities in England and Wales and  therefore follow the National Curriculum (England and Wales) as defined by the Education Reform Act 1988. The schools are administered by the Service Children’s Education Defence Agency (SCE), whose Headquarters are based in Wegberg, BFPO 40.

Primary school facilities for children aged 5 to 11 years are provided in all garrisons.
Enrolment at primary schools is arranged by the parents making an appointment with the head teacher of the school. In large garrisons, advice on local schools may be obtained from Unit Welfare Officers, Station Staff Officers, the local Military Education Centre, or the schools themselves. Children starting school are normally admitted into primary schools in September and January. Children admitted in September must have reached their 5th birthday by the end of February in the following year; those admitted in January must have reached their 5th birthday between the beginning of March and the end of August. Other children of school age can be entered at any time of the year.

Children of secondary school age will attend either a local day school or a SCE boarding school, depending on the area in which they live. All SCE secondary schools are comprehensive and co-educational. They offer a wide range of GCSE and A level courses, and GNVQ vocational courses.

In some areas (Osnabruck and Sennelager), middle schools are provided for children between the ages of 8 (Osnabruck) or 9 (Sennelager) and 13 years.

Details of schools for children in the garrison/station in which you are going to live can be obtained from your new unit.

Application forms for admission to SCE boarding schools may be obtained from the relevant school. On completion, the forms are to be returned to the school.

Parents seeking admission of eligible children to secondary day schools and middle schools should telephone the school as soon as possible after arrival in Germany, to make an appointment to visit the school with their child(ren).

Under the terms of the Education Act 1944 (as amended), parents are responsible for ensuring that their children attend school regularly. British Army (Germany) General Routine Orders apply the provisions of this Act to those serving in Germany. The attendance requirement applies to all children of statutory school age. Children reach statutory school age at the beginning of the term after the term in which they have their 5th birthday. School leaving age is the last Friday in June of the academic year in which a pupil attains his/her 16th birthday.

Nursery Education
The Government’s initiative to provide free nursery education for three and four year olds in the UK is matched in BFG by the offer of nursery places either in SCE schools or in local preschools. Entitlement to a free nursery place is from the beginning of the school term after the term in which a child has his/her 3rd birthday. The entitlement is to one free session (either morning or afternoon) of at least two and a half hours per day for at least 33 weeks a year. School nursery

Pre-School Education
Most stations run Pre-Schools for children who are not yet of school age. With the exception of free places for nursery age children (see above) in designated pre-schools parents are required to pay for their child's attendance, as is the case in UK pre-schools. Full details of the preschools in your area are available from your Unit Welfare Officer.

Facilities for Adult Education
In Germany the Adjutant General’s Corps (Educational and Training Services) (AGC(ETS)) provides a wide range of activities for Service personnel, dependants and UKBCs. Over 75 day and evening activities are held in Army and RAF Education Centres covering vocational, recreational and commercial interests. The Services Civilian Examinations Board can arrange for almost any UK examination to be sat in Germany, and applications should be made through your local Military education centre. Correspondence courses may also be followed under AGC(ETS) guidance. All garrison areas have libraries provided under AGC (ETS) auspices, and German language training courses at all levels for both military personnel and dependants.

Military Education Centres advertise their programmes well in advance for the three sessions run per year. For vocational courses there is no charge for serving personnel, UKBC or dependants. For further information, contact the Officer Commanding the Army Education Centre in your local garrison/station.

The Open University
The Open University is a scheme of adult education offering courses leading to its own BA BSc and BA BSc (Hons) degrees. The university is open to anybody who is prepared to fulfil the commitments of home study and in some cases a summer school of 1 week duration at a British university. No qualifications are required for entry and an extensive choice of courses builds up credits towards the final degree. Courses are offered at different levels of study - foundation, second, third and fourth levels. In addition, short Community Education Courses can be applied for and obtained in Germany.