What is a Virtual School?

The Hertfordshire Virtual School is not a teaching institution but a way of bringing together the information about children and young people who are looked after as if they were in a single school.  This means that each young person’s progress can be closely tracked and supported with intervention targeted in a strategic way to support improved outcomes.

 

The role of the Virtual School

• To champion the needs of children and young people looked after by Hertfordshire educated inside the county or in other local authorities.

• To ensure that children and young people have the best possible education and every chance to realise potential.

• To offer personalised support plans and interventions to raise attainment and aspirations for the future.

• To robustly track cohort trends and target resources effectively to promote achievement.

 

What are our priorities?

• A commitment to empowering early years settings, schools, social workers and carers to make education a priority for children looked after.

• A focus on the ‘Narrowing the Gap’ agenda.

• An effective leadership and governance structure that maximises all the services of Children’s Services to improve the educational achievement of children and young people looked after.

• The development of management information systems to inform effective self-evaluation and improvement planning that will provide a detailed understanding of school-age Hertfordshire children looked after, wherever they are placed, and children of other local authorities.

• Challenge and support for our professional partners in their delivery – education providers, social care and fostering.

• A responsiveness to the views and feedback from children and young people.

 

How can we provide support?

For children and young people:

• Support with studies

• Educational resources including IT equipment

• Access to Education Support Workers to help overcome barriers to learning

• Out of school hours activities

• Study skills and booster classes

• Recognition of achievement – HERTS Awards

• Advice and guidance on future pathways

• Work experience opportunities

Children’s Services Social Care staff:

• Comprehensive training on the education of children looked after

• Advice, guidance and support from specialist Education Advisers on raising the achievement of children looked after Hertfordshire Schools:

• Comprehensive training on the new statutory guidance for Designated Teachers and Governors

• Regular visits to your school

• Inspection advice and preparation for Ofsted

• Personal Education Planning support and guidance

Corporate Parents and Foster Carers:

• Advice, information and guidance to help the young person get the best out of their education

• Courses on how to support learning in the home

• Regular contact from named Virtual School staff members

• Training support – on-line or taught courses

 

For more details please visit their website: Hertfordshire Virtual School