ForcesWatch
Army recruitment of under-18s wastes £94 million every year, claims new report
22/04/2013ForcesWatch press release
ForcesWatch press release
The Ministry of Defence wastes up to £94 million every year training minors for army roles which could be filled more cost-effectively by adult recruits, according to a new report launched today by human rights groups Child Soldiers International and ForcesWatch.
Concern over Government schemes promoting ‘military ethos’ in education
07/12/2012ForcesWatch press release
The organisation ForcesWatch (1), which monitors the way young people are recruited into the military, have expressed concern about the announcement made by Education Secretary Michael Gove of four projects which promote 'military ethos' in order to improve achievement among pupils disengaged with education
Cadet plan needs consultation
16/11/2012ForcesWatch letter in Islington Gazette
ForcesWatch letter in Islington Gazette
This week the Ministry of Defence released news that the City of London Academy Islington (formerly Islington Green School) is to host a cadet unit. ForcesWatch urge parents, governors, teachers and students of the school not to accept this development until after a public consultation on the matter.
Figures reveal high number of visits by armed forces to Norfolk schools
22/10/2012ForcesWatch press release
ForcesWatch press release
Figures obtained under Freedom of Information reveal that the armed forces are visiting nearly all secondary maintained schools and academies in Norfolk and some schools have activities run by the military many times a year.
Figures reveal high number of visits by armed forces to Edinburgh schools
08/10/2012ForcesWatch press release
ForcesWatch press release
Event: Questioning the presence of the military in schools, Thurdsay 11 October, St Augustine's United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EL, 7.30-9pm
Figures obtained under Freedom of Information reveal that the armed forces are visiting nearly all schools in the Edinburgh area and some schools have activities run by the military many times a year. (1)
Of the 23 state secondary schools in Edinburgh, 22 were visited by the armed forces an average of 7 times during a two year period. A further 11 independent schools and FE Colleges also had visits. Since September there have been a total of 225 visits to 33 schools and colleges (2). Balerno High School had the highest number of visits, with the armed forces recording having been at the school 22 times since September 2010. Some of the visits are for individual interviews, but the majority are for careers briefings, award evenings, curriculum support, presentations and team building events.
The figures have been obtained by ForcesWatch who are concerned about the level of military involvement in UK schools and colleges across the UK (3).
Press release: Questioning the involvement of the military in education: a series of public debates
12/09/2012ForcesWatch press release
ForcesWatch press release
On 18 September ForcesWatch (1) begins its national series of public events that will debate whether the armed forces should be involved in education activities in UK schools and colleges. Events will take place in Oxford (18 September), Bath (20 September), Edinburgh (11 October), Norwich (23 October) and London (25 October).
Military and education not compatible
17/07/2012ForcesWatch letter to the press
ForcesWatch letter to the press
Letter to the media in response to article by Labour MPs inviting the 'military to invade our schools'.
Imprisoned Navy conscientious objector to appeal conviction in High Court
12/10/2011ForcesWatch press release
ForcesWatch press release
Navy medic Michael Lyons, a conscientious objector convicted of disobedience, who was detained in July, stripped of his rank and dismissed from the service, will be at the High Court 13 October to appeal his conviction. A recent European ruling recognises conscientious objection for first time as human right.
US peace activist to speak in UK on challenging military activities in schools
08/07/2011ForcesWatch press release
Oskar Castro, a prominent peace activist from the U.S. and Director of the organisation Military Families Speak Out, will be speaking in London, Coventry and Edinburgh from 9 to 14 July.
Court martial for Navy medic conscientious objector
02/07/2011ForcesWatch press release
A medic in the Royal Navy will face court martial on Monday 4 July despite declaring that he is a conscientious objector.