News & Views

In early 2026, more than 200 children from Armed Forces families, aged 7 to 15 and representing 34 Wiltshire schools, took part in two special Pupil Voice events. The first was hosted at the University of Winchester, followed by a second event at the University of Bath. Both days were delivered by the Wessex Inspiration Network, a Higher Education widening participation collaborative, and led by independent education adviser, Matt Blyton.

These events form part of a year-long programme involving 45 Wiltshire schools. The Festival of Friends is a tried-and-tested school improvement initiative that draws heavily on the SCiP Alliance’s Thriving Lives Toolkit, supporting schools to better understand and strengthen their provision for Service children.

Celebrating identity and strengthening pupil voice

The Pupil Voice days offered children a chance to experience a taste of university life, celebrate their unique identities as Service children, and meet peers from other project schools. Each school group worked together to create a “School Pledge” — a practical commitment they will take back to their own setting to enhance support for all Service children within their setting.

Alongside the pledge-building, pupils took part in creative workshops run by practitioners from Never Such Innocence, encouraging reflection and expression through art. Younger pupils enjoyed a bespoke doodling session led by Seekers Create.

Using the Thriving Lives Toolkit to shape school-level impact

A core part of the Festival of Friends project is the systematic use of the Thriving Lives Toolkit. Schools, both with high numbers of Service children and those with only one or two — are engaging with the platform to self-assess their current provision. This structured review process helps each school identify the areas most relevant to their context and focus their Festival of Friends project work where it will have the greatest impact.

Engagement data shows that schools with both large and small Service child populations are finding the Toolkit valuable. Its practical, evidence-informed principles give staff the clarity and confidence needed to shape meaningful school-level commitments, strengthening their ability to support Service children’s wellbeing, sense of belonging, and educational outcomes.

A growing movement of collaboration

These Pupil Voice days not only celebrated Service children’s experiences but also equipped schools with practical tools and approaches to facilitate activities that generate meaningful insights into the experiences and feelings of Service children within their own settings.

As the project progresses, the SCiP Alliance looks forward to sharing further outcomes — and to seeing how each school’s pledge, shaped by the Thriving Lives Toolkit, translates into real change for Service children across Wiltshire.

We are grateful to the Armed Forces Education Trust for funding this project, to Matt Blyton for leading the Festival of Friends, and to both host universities for supporting these inspiring events.

Find information and resources for previous Festival of Friends projects here: Resources | SCiP Alliance