Thread: Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) Results of the Ministerial Review

CEA is a much valued allowance enabling Forces children to access a stable education and social network which most could not achieve whilst their parent(s) serves. A Ministerial Review led by a senior civil servant examined the need for CEA and the way in which the allowance is used. It is an exceptionally costly allowance (£180 million in 2010) but one which enables children to attend boarding school, both in the private and state sector, providing a continuity of education during the many moves of the parental home for Service reasons. AFF recognises that regular review and audit of CEA is a necessity. Some changes to eligibility criteria were announced in November 2010 ensuring that it is used for its intended purpose - accompanied mobile service. A survey into CEA produced by the Defence Analytical and Services Agency (DASA) resulted in a high degree of alarm throughout the Armed Forces, but particularly amongst the Army population, as the questions, coupled with a lack of prior communication, fuelled fears that the allowance may be cut. The release of the Ministerial Review is long overdue.

Read the full article on our website at Army Families Federation (AFF)

In a nutshell, nothing's changed other than it's not going to be available for children going into 6th form if they haven't already been in the CEA system and the fees will eventually go direct to the school rather than us. Perfect!

Whoop whoop!

Actually that might well impact on quite a few people.

The six-form provision in Germany is very limited, there are only 2 (or are there 3?) sixth-forms and these only offer a limited number of courses - because there are very few kids of that age. Consequently a number of pupils are sent to the UK for their sixth-form so that they can study the subjects they want to take at A-level rather than those on offer in BFG.

I have a freind who's kid particularly wanted to do Sports Sceince and Drama at A-level and was sent back to the UK for 6th form as neither of these were available in BFG. Prevous to this all schooling had been at Rinteln.

Maybe they'll up the SCE provision in BFG. If the parents shout loud enough, AFF generally hears and picks up the baton on their behalf. Best advice would to be start writing the letters ASAP.

This new rule could backfire though. How many parents who were opting for the 6th form intake for CEA will now send children at 11 or 13/14 thereby upping the CEA bill? Interesting.

I have a freind who's kid particularly wanted to do Sports Sceince and Drama at A-level and was sent back to the UK for 6th form as neither of these were available in BFG. Prevous to this all schooling had been at Rinteln.

Mind you, under the new tightened up rules, your friend wouldn't qualify now for CEA as they clearly weren't mobile if all the schooling was done in one place. A Levels are optional and it's called 'continuity of education allowance' not 'I don't like this one you can pay for that one'. Harsh but, ultimately, fair I think.

Harsh indeed. But I guess it was probably decided that given the proportional number of them the 6th formers would be the school-age group least affected by budget cuts.

Possibly, that and the fact that BFG will be no more sooner rather than later. Although it would probably be fairer to bin the 6th form option once the BFG draw down had come to an end.

Originally Posted by bodger

Maybe they'll up the SCE provision in BFG. If the parents shout loud enough, AFF generally hears and picks up the baton on their behalf. Best advice would to be start writing the letters ASAP.

This new rule could backfire though. How many parents who were opting for the 6th form intake for CEA will now send children at 11 or 13/14 thereby upping the CEA bill? Interesting.



Mind you, under the new tightened up rules, your friend wouldn't qualify now for CEA as they clearly weren't mobile if all the schooling was done in one place. A Levels are optional and it's called 'continuity of education allowance' not 'I don't like this one you can pay for that one'. Harsh but, ultimately, fair I think.

Personally I think the whole point of 'Continuity of Education' is so that our children can have a settled education from a younger age and attend school knowing that they will be in that school until it's time to move on to the next school up without having to chop and change every couple of years and start over. I don't agree with CEA being used for 6th form only because where is the continuity in that? that's not continuity at all, it's a case of 'I don't like what my own 6th form offers so therefore I'll use the Forces to get into a school that does offer what I want, and get it funded at the same time'. The only time I could see it being a valid case for CEA in 6th form only is if your child has attended the school as a day pupil prior to you being posted away and they wanted to remain at the same school for the next couple of years and therefore the CEA would be used to keep them where they are rather than moving them on.

AFF is led to understand that while an initial claim is not automatically granted a case can be made where 6th form provision is not available or inappropriate and in those circumstances would be granted.

AFF is interested to hear from parents in Germany who are concerned that this change to the eligibility criteria will result in their children being unable to access their preferred A level choices. Please contact AFF Germany to raise your concerns.