Andover College supporting the military community
Andover College is proud to support serving personnel, reservists, veterans, service children and military families.
As proud supporters of the Armed Forces Covenant, we are committed to ensuring that members of the Armed Forces community feel welcomed, understood and supported throughout their time with us.
Through targeted learner support, specialist staff awareness, partnership working and community engagement, we actively work to improve outcomes for military learners and families across our region.
Located close to military areas including Tidworth and Bulford, Andover College offers courses, careers guidance, wellbeing support and progression opportunities to help learners move forward with confidence.
Find out more below, read our FAQ’s or get in contact for more information.
Download our Military newsletter here
Jessica
Student
Coming from a military family, I found moving from place to place a real challenge. But starting at Andover College changed everything.
When my family relocated to Scotland, they continued to support me with my education entirely online — keeping in regular contact through team calls and making sure I stayed on track to achieve my goals.
Meet Our Military Champion
Nikki Yates is Assistant Principal at Andover College and leads our work supporting service children, military families and the wider Armed Forces community.
Nikki works closely with schools, welfare teams, charities and military partners across the region to improve support for service learners. She has played a key role in developing the college’s Military Champions Network, bringing together organisations to share best practice and strengthen support for service children and families.
We understand that children and young people from service families can face unique challenges, including mobility, transition between schools and colleges, parental deployment and separation from support networks.
At Andover College, we are committed to recognising these experiences and putting the right support in place from the very beginning.
We work to identify learners from service families so that staff can provide timely support, tailored guidance and effective signposting to both internal and external services.
This helps us ensure that service children are recognised, understood and supported throughout their college journey.
Learners can also access support from our expert Wellbeing Team, wider pastoral support and careers guidance, helping them feel confident, connected and able to succeed.
If you are looking to take part in professional development whilst serving or preparing to leave the services, we offer many courses which will suit your needs.
Andover College are an approved learning provider under the Armed Forces Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) scheme. Find out more about the courses available through the ELC scheme and how to apply for the funding here.
We have access to a careers team who can offer support and guidance to help you make informed choices about your future. Find out more here.
We know that the best support comes from working together.
That is why Andover College works closely with organisations, charities and regional networks to strengthen support for the Armed Forces community both within college and across the wider region.
We are a key partner in the Test Valley Civilian Military Forum, where we help raise awareness of educational opportunities, employment pathways and the importance of removing disadvantage for Armed Forces families in public life.
We also work closely with Forces Employment Charity to support learners through employability workshops, careers activities, open event engagement and school insight sessions. This partnership helps learners build confidence, develop work-readiness skills and better understand their progression options.
Andover College is also an active member of the SCiP Alliance, helping to improve outcomes for service children and their families through shared good practice and collaboration.
The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. The scheme encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.
Sparsholt College Group has been given a Bronze Award. Bronze award holders:
- are self nominated by employers who pledge to support the armed forces, including existing or prospective employees who are members of the community
- must have signed the Armed Forces Covenant pledge
- promote being armed forces-friendly and are open to employing reservists, armed forces veterans (including the wounded, injured and sick), cadet instructors and military spouses/partners
Andover College provides a range of activities and events designed to support, engage and inspire members of the military community.
These include:
- employability workshops
- careers events
- creative sessions
- open event support
- school insight sessions
- wellbeing activities
- networking opportunities for learners from military families
These activities help raise aspirations, improve confidence and ensure learners feel informed and supported as they progress into further education and employment.
We also recognise the value of leadership, service and teamwork through cadet opportunities and participation in commemorative events, including remembrance activities.
Richard Moore MBA
SO1 Civic Engagement, in support of our Silver ERS Award
I have never seen such a proactive approach for a forum member to set up a Champions’ Network in support of service pupils, which I now promote as good practice across the South East.
Our Continued Commitment
Our support for the military community continues to grow.
Alongside our current work, we are exploring the development of an Education Covenant to help strengthen a shared commitment across local education providers, ensuring that no service pupil is disadvantaged because of military life.
We remain committed to listening, learning and working with partners to provide inclusive, responsive and practical support for serving personnel, veterans, reservists, service children and military families.
