Armed Forces Covenant

Greater Manchester Leads the Way with Historic Armed Forces Covenant

In a landmark moment for education and community collaboration, all nine of our Greater Manchester Colleges have united to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, pledging their commitment to support 16–19-year-old students from military families across the North West. By signing the Covenant, the colleges have committed to creating a more understanding, supportive environment for military connected students, ensuring that no young person is disadvantaged in their education because of the demands of service life.

Principals of the nine Greater Manchester Colleges with students and Vice Lord-Lieutenant Sharman Birtles MBE JP DL and Colonel Peter Stitt, Commander HQ North

A Shared Vision of Support

The Covenant reflects a shared vision to ensure that every student from a service family feels valued, understood and empowered to achieve their full potential. Colleges across the region will work together to share best practice, develop bespoke support systems and raise awareness of the experiences of military families within their college communities. With this initiative Greater Manchester continues to cement its reputation as a trailblazer in education and social progress, setting a new national standard for inclusion and support.

“Young adults form an important part of our Armed Forces community in Greater Manchester, so it is very positive to see our GMColleges coming together to pledge their support to the Armed Forces Covenant. I hope that other regions will take note and promote awareness of this forgotten cohort that undoubtedly benefit from specialist pastoral support.”

Andy Burnham
Mayor of Greater Manchester