More DfE funding for military-led mentoring projects

The money will be an additional support to ex-armed forces personnel who run projects designed to instil teamwork, discipline and leadership in thousands of children across the country.

Activities include one-to-one mentoring, military-style obstacle courses and team-building exercises.

The funding was made available by the Department for Education after evidence from more the 300 schools involved with projects revealed that the mentoring was having a positive impact on improving engagement and attainment among disengaged children.

Announcing the funding on Friday, childcare minister Elizabeth Truss said that the money is going to six projects, including Commando Joe’s and the Prince’s Trust, to help them build on previous work.

She said: “The lives of thousands of disengaged children have been turned around thanks to these projects which instil our armed forces’ values of hard work and discipline.

“That is why we are increasing the funding going to the important projects – so that even more children can benefit from the military ethos.”

Mike Hamilton, director of Commando Joe’s, now hopes to deliver the project in more schools.

He said: “We’ve been based mainly in the North West so far, but now we can expand our operations across the country.

“The money will go towards recruiting more staff and delivering more programmes to enable more schools to access the provision which will ultimately help to inspire and motivate thousands more young people to reach their full potential inside and outside the classroom.”

Martina Milburn, chief executive of the Prince’s Trust, added: “It is exciting to bring this experience to the DfE’s inspired military ethos initiative in the knowledge of the significant contribution our service personnel can make to the lives of disadvantaged young people.”

The original round of funding was made available in August last year.