Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day, held on the last Saturday of June each year, is a chance to show support for members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and forces families. This assembly and lesson resource for students aged 11–16 reflects on the concept of service in different settings, the various roles of the British Army in the UK and around the world, and how our own values, community values, organisational values and ‘British Values’ interact to affect our lives.

The assembly focuses on service, introducing different examples of service, how and why people serve in the British Army and asking how Armed Forces Day could inspire us all to serve in our own ways. The lesson explores values, asking students to discuss the four core roles of the British Army – using the Army’s Values and their own to rank their relative importance – and encouraging reflection on students’ own values, roles and actions.

The resources align with the Gatsby Benchmarks for careers education and provide the opportunity to explore key aspects of PSHE/Health and Wellbeing and related curriculums. The resources also link to the teaching of British Values and Character Education.