Alison Matthews Education Lead The Virtual School for Children Looked After: What Governors Need to Know

Objectives What is the Virtual School for Children Looked After? What do we do? What do governors need to know ?

A way of : Viewing all of the Children Looked After as if they were attending a real school. Bringing together information and progress data about them to more effectively target support / intervention. Working together with schools to drive up progress and attainment for this vulnerable group, Increasing care leavers participation in Education, Employment or Training What is the Virtual School for Children Looked After?

Increasing life chances “I want to go to University,…into business. I don’t know really…Prime Minister! I just want a good job, good money…a good life really…” Courtney 16 GCSEs

We work in partnership with schools For Designated Teachers (DTs): Annual DT conference and other training, County DT focus group PEP workshops in the summer term Access to information on the grid For School Governors: The iLearn on-line training module Taught courses Support in school Advisory Teachers, Education Support workers

What is the governor’s role ? The governing body must:  Appoint a designated teacher and ensure that he/she undertakes appropriate training.  Consider an annual report from the designated teacher And should:  Consider the report with the school leadership team and act on any issues it raises.

How is available funding used to raise achievement for this vulnerable group? Children Looked After funding ( from Hertfordshire) Pupil Premium “…..we will seek to focus more firmly on how well disadvantaged pupils do, and make sure that schools are held fully to account for using the Pupil Premium to raise the achievement of eligible children”.

What should a governor / nominated governor look for? That relevant school staff know: the name of the designated teacher for Children Looked After and who else performs elements of this role? the children in their class (if any) who are Looked After the progress children make and the strategies to use in class and around school. the Personal Education Plan (PEP) targets for a child they teach and how these link to their teaching. Also staff have had training the school supports the carers additional resources are used to raise achievement

End notes :The Education Act 2011 “Local authorities will continue both to challenge schools which are causing concern and to focus on issues needing attention which cut across more than one school.” “…… will continue to act as the corporate parent for Looked After Children – with a key role in improving their educational attainment.” One of 10 questions governors are advised to ask : “ How are we going to raise standards for all children, including the most and least able, those with Special Educational Needs, boys and girls, and any who are currently underachieving?”