We're a team of staff who work to promote the best educational outcomes for:
We know that these children and young people can do very well in early years settings, school and post-16 provision, despite the challenges they have faced. However, we know there's a gap between the attainment of these children and their peers. We also know that doing well in education opens greater opportunities as children grow up.
It's vital that we work with our partners to raise the profile of these children, remove barriers to their education and ensure they are supported so that they are not left behind and they can achieve the very best that they can.
As of September 2024, Virtual School (VS) caseworkers will be working across a range of year groups, from Reception to Year 13, rather than with specific year groups.
Caseworkers will move up through the year groups with the children and this will mean that our children will have one VS case worker for the duration of their time in care. This will enable case workers to provide consistent support for children and young people in care as they transition from one school setting to another.
Additionally, VS case workers will get to know each young person and the professional networks around each child much better and subsequently be better able to pre-empt issues and the individual support that may be required.
Virtual School case workers are available throughout the year to provide advice and support and can be requested to attend Personal Education Plans (PEPs) where necessary.
Our Mission: to improve the life opportunities for children in care, children previously in care and children with a social worker by promoting their education and enabling them to achieve the best they can.
At the Virtual School, we work to ensure that all children in care, children previously in care and children with a social worker: