Issue - meetings

This report sets out the proposal to establish a Head for the ‘Virtual School’ for Children in Care.

The Committee considered a report setting out proposals to adopt the Department of Children, Schools and Families national ‘virtual school’ model to track, monitor and raise attainment levels for CiC. Particular benefits of implementing this approach would be the extension of CiC educational support provision to 3-19 year olds as well as to CiC placed in the borough by other local authorities.

The virtual school staffing group would primarily consist of staff from the current CiC Education team, managed by a Head Teacher to lead on ensuring educational outcomes for CiC through for example, attending head teachers meetings within the borough.

The virtual school would be underpinned by a governing body to maximise outcomes for CiC by supporting and challenging the work of the virtual school. It was agreed that membership of the governing body should include at least two Corporate Parenting Committee members and proposed that membership be extended to include at least two  ex care leaver in order to provide an alternative perspective.  

Concerns were raised regarding establishing a clear line of authority to underpin the work of the virtual school, including mechanisms by which schools could be held to account where concerns in relation to CiC were identified. It was advised that successful training had been undertaken with designated teachers within schools in the borough to take the approach forward. The Committee considered that it would also be important to inform school governors in the borough about the new virtual school and its purpose in order to ensure successful sign up to the concept.