Barnard Castle School is committed to supporting Forces Families, particularly in light of the recent changes to VAT on school fees.
We have introduced CEA+ – a commitment to maintain fee rates at 10% of published full fees – to mitigate the impact of the new tax on families in receipt of the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA).
The CEA is intended for military families to ensure their children receive appropriate education from a consistent source.
It is awarded to serving Forces’ personnel to fund access to high-quality boarding provision for their children, acknowledging the importance for children of remaining in one school, enjoying stability both in terms of education and care.
What is the purpose of the Continuity of Education Allowance?
The main purpose of the CEA is to help military families and their children:
- Receive consistent education
- Develop close relationships with their peers and teachers
- Become a part of a community
The CEA also provides support to military families that might otherwise struggle with caring for their children.
Who can apply for the CEA?
Personnel from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force are all eligible to receive support from the CEA.
To read the full regulations and requirements for CEA eligibility, please refer to the JSP 752, Chapter 14, Paragraph 14.0115.
In short, military families claiming the CEA must remain living together, be expected to relocate within the next four years, and agree that once a school is chosen, the child must remain there until at least the end of their current stage of education.
You can begin your application by submitting a CEA application Form to the CEAS – the Children’s Education Advisory Service. When your application has been accepted, you can then apply to boarding schools like Barnard Castle School.
For further information on our CEA funding model, please reference our Update to Parents on CEA.