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The recruitment agenda behind armed forces visits to schools in Scotland
27/01/2016
Evidence of the recruitment agenda behind armed forces visits to schools in Scotland.
Level and distribution of armed forces visits to schools in Scotland
The available data shows that the armed forces make a disproportionate number of visits to schools and colleges in Scotland compared to England, but also that the visits within Scotland are unevenly distributed, both by area, type of school, and armed force, with some areas and schools receiving a far greater proportion and/or frequency of visits. The armed forces also make far more visits to schools in Scotland than the emergency services, despite claims to the contrary.
Action taken to resolve issues of concern before submitting the petition
Overview
Our research has revealed that there is considerable concern in Scotland among teachers, students, parents/guardians, and others regarding the nature of armed forces visits to schools. However, we have also found that various other important stakeholder organisations are unaware of the concerns about of the visits, or who is responsible for overseeing them. This indicates a real need for a thorough investigation into the situation.
Identifying existing concern
Research by ForcesWatch and Quakers in Scotland identified the following existing concern about armed forces visits to schools in Scotland:
Scottish Parliament petition
In 2016 ForcesWatch and Quakers in Scotland submitted a petition to the Scottish Parliament that calls on the Scottish Government to ensure greater scrutiny, guidance, and consultation with parents/guardians on armed forces visits to schools in Scotland, in order to provide transparency and balance, and in recognition of the unique nature of armed forces careers. In 2018 the Public Petitions Committee made a number of recommendations in their report to the Scottish Government.
RAF recruitment in schools
06/01/2016
The MoD recently acknowledged that the RAF’s Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths (STEM) road show in schools – run in partnership with the weapons company BAE Systems – is ‘recruitment’.
London’s first ‘Military Preparation College’ opens
08/12/2015
London’s first Military Preparation College – the UK’s 18th – has been set up. ForcesWatch have a few concerns.
Army failing to attract young recruits
The Army has failed to attract enough young recruits in 9 of the last 10 years, and is looking to change this by emphasising the Army’s non-combat work. ForcesWatch are concerned this could lead to the further overlooking of the fact that combat is the raison d’être of the armed forces.
Remembrance is now a brand – what place does it have in schools?
10/11/2015
We explore remembrance within education in the context of the plethora of military activities, commemorations, celebrations and military values that schools are being encouraged to take on. And, in the light of, the absence of a compulsory and organised curriculum of peace education within UK schools, our new report shows.
Government funding for ‘military ethos’ in schools
04/11/2015
Government figures indicate that, since the Military Ethos in schools projects were announced in 2012, over £38 million of new funding has been awarded to them. Most of this new funding comes from the Department for Education. A further £50 million was pledged by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the July 2015 budget for expanding cadet units in state schools to 2020.
French soldiers condemned for having primary school pupils try out unloaded rifles
21/10/2015
French soldiers have been criticised by the French MoD and local education authorities for having school pupils aged 10 and under try out unloaded assault rifles. There had been no similar outcry regarding similar armed forces activities in schools in the UK, which are driven by the UK MoD.
Army officer recruitment drive in universities
A major new Army officer recruitment drive is targeting university students. Why is this acknowledged as ‘recruitment’, when similar activities in schools are not?
UK Army Recruiting Group – Eligibility quick reference guide
15/10/2015
This recruiting guide, obtained via a Freedom of Information request, indicates among other things that, recruits aged between 16 and 16½ must be given jobs in combat roles (or join as drivers in the logistics corps) which carry the highest levels of risk. (p.8)
Armed forces visits to schools debated in the Welsh Assembly!
30/09/2015
Our reaction to today’s Welsh Assembly debate on armed forces visits to schools in Wales, which represents a major step forward in the scrutiny of the ethics of the military’s engagement with the education system.
Visits to schools by BAE Systems and the RAF
29/09/2015
Evidence suggests that the BAE Systems-RAF team that visits primary and secondary schools ostensibly to encourage students to take an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, gives students a sanitised, glamourised image of both BAE and the RAF.
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