Dudley Virtual School

The Virtual School Head Teacher is the lead responsible officer for ensuring that arrangements are in place to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of the authority's children in care, including those placed outside the caring authority's boundaries.

The Ofsted inspection framework for local authority services to children in care has very clear expectations of the information that will be available to inspectors, and these expectations influence both the work of the Virtual School Head Teacher and the organisation of the Virtual School.

The Virtual School Head Teacher is supported by a team consisting of:

• Deputy Head Teacher
• Lead Education Advisor
• Education Advisors
• Support Advisors

All children and young people in care to Dudley, and the settings they attend are supported by an Education Advisor.

The Virtual School

• Supports and challenge schools, carers and all relevant partners to ensure children in the care (CiC) of Dudley Council achieve the best possible educational outcomes and life chances
• Works collaboratively to ensure Dudley's CiC attend the best possible education establishments and are provided with the opportunities to progress and realise their individual potential.
• Supports effective delivery of Personal Education Plans and monitor their outcomes.
• Identifies specific areas of concern in a CiC’s education and ensure appropriate action is taken.
• Tracks and monitors attendance, exclusions, progress and personal achievements of CiC.
• Manages the Pupil Premium Plus funding for CiC and work with schools to ensure it is used effectively.
• Encourages, supports and celebrates young people’s successes and achievements. This includes the promotion of children's participation in out of school activities and projects.
• Provides advice and guidance to children, parents, carers, social workers, schools and others, as appropriate, around the education of CiC and previously looked after children (PLAC).
• Provides a range of joint and specific training opportunities to raise awareness of issues and concerns relating to the educational needs of CiC and PLAC.

From September 2021, the Virtual School Head’s role was extended to include the strategic leadership of promoting the education outcomes of all children and young people with a social worker (CWSW).

Telephone: 01384 813493/01384 813494