Portrait of young kids first day of School (yobro10 (123RF))
Your installation’s School Liaisons (SLO) are a good first resource for any questions regarding school options while stationed in England. While many students attend a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) school, not all installations offer DoDEA schools. Both homeschooling and British schools are available.
Tri-base Region: RAF Lakenheath SLO
Bldg. 950 (M&FRC) | Phone: (+44) 1638-525077 | 48fss.ccl.slo@us.af.mil
RAF Alconbury SLO
Bldg. 671 | Phone: (+44) 01480-843232 | Schoolliaison.alconbury@us.af.mil
RAF Croughton SLO
Bldg. 72 | Phone: (+44) 1280-707498 | 422abg.sloschoolliaisoncroughton@us.af.mil
DoDEA schools are located in the Tri-base region and at Alconbury. They accept enrollments throughout the year to accommodate military families. Enroll at: dodea.edu/registration.
Tri-base Region (RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Feltwell)
Feltwell Elementary School (grades K to 5th): feltwelles.dodea.edu
Lakenheath Elementary School (grades Pre-K to 3rd): lakenheathes.dodea.edu
Liberty Intermediate School (grades 4th to 5th, on RAF Lakenheath): libertyis.dodea.edu
Lakenheath Middle School (grades 6th to 8th): lakenheathms.dodea.edu
Lakenheath High School (grades 9th to 12th): lakenheathhs.dodea.edu
RAF Alconbury
Alconbury Elementary School: alconburyes.dodea.edu
Alconbury Middle High School: alconburymhs.dodea.edu
RAF Croughton, RAF Fairford, RAF Welford
There are no DoDEA schools on the 422nd Air Base Group installations. Children in these locations have a few options. Visit the base SLO to help understand options and explore local schools.
Private Schools. The NDSP can provide your family with funding for your children to attend local British private or international schools. These may be far from your home and require boarding.
Local British public schools are also another option. Though the British system is different, public schools may be your child’s closest option. The NDSP can help offset costs like books and public transportation that are typically included in American public schooling.
The NDSP could also be used to fund an online or homeschooling program and resources.
Visit dodea.edu/nonDoD to see funding options.
Register at registration.dodea.edu/ndsp.
If your child attends a British school, there are a few things to keep in mind.
The British school calendar will not include U.S. holidays and USAFE Family Days.
Repeated absences even for mild sickness or medical appointments have serious consequences and fines up to £1,000.
The school year runs from early September to late July.
School-sponsored transportation is not typical. Most students take public buses.
Report cards are infrequent and letter grades are typically not given.
Uniforms are required.
While in the U.K., families fall under the U.S. federal regulations that allow for home schooling, not the rules of any particular U.S. state. You are not required to register with the installation or any state agency. It is highly recommended to use an accredited online school or purchase a robust home schooling program to ensure the transferability of credits. Your children may be eligible for auxiliary services offered by DoDEA-Europe. Contact the School Liaison for more information and to connect with homeschool groups.
