A group of head teachers from Helensburgh and Lomond schools were welcomed to HM Naval Base Clyde for an Armed Forces Covenant Education Day.

Captain of the Base, Captain James Hayes and Base Executive Officer, Commander Ian Riches met senior representatives from a host of local schools and explained the background to the Armed Forces Covenant and the roles that the naval base plays within the local community.

The party toured facilities at the base, including a waterborne appraisal from the Gareloch, before a series of meetings and a presentation by the Royal Caledonian Education Trust, which supports the children of Scots who are serving, or who have served, in the Armed Forces.

Commander Riches said: “Very often, the children in service families face a number of unique challenges from moving around the country, to having a parent away for a long period of time. This visit was useful in giving the schools’ representatives an insight into the workings of the base, and in highlighting those challenges and how they can help support the children.”

Argyll and Bute Council’s Policy Lead for Education and Lifelong Learning, Councillor Aileen Morton, said, “The council works hard to support armed forces families moving to Argyll and Bute. We have been consistently successful in attracting funding from the Ministry of Defence which enables the council to lessen the effects of children moving between schools and service communities. This visit will add to the knowledge teaching staff have in providing that important support.”

The council’s Armed Forces and Veterans Champion, Councillor Maurice Corry said, “We support and enable grant funding from the Ministry of Defence for community groups who encourage the integration of armed forces families, and this was an excellent opportunity for our education staff to see first hand the work of the base showing how we are working together to support families.”