Coventry Virtual School - overview - Print version

What we do

• Collect and analyse engagement, progress and achievement data in order to track, monitor, support and challenge.
• Advise on securing and maintaining the best possible education provision according to individual young people’s needs.
• Coordinate and process Personal Education Planning (PEP) meetings and documentation, via the online ePEP platform [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/235/virtual_school/2894/coventry_virtual_school_-_resources/2].
• Advise on, track and monitor the use of Pupil Premium Plus and its impact.
• Arrange access to additional resources to raise attainment and progress, and develop interests, including one to one tuition.  
• Deliver high quality training to partners: Designated Teachers, Governors, Foster Carers, Social Workers and external partners, including statutory responsibilities of schools and settings.
• Provide additional one to one advice, guidance and support for engagement in education, training and employment.
• Raise awareness of attachment issues and barriers to learning with schools and providers
• Provide additional opportunities for out of school learning and leisure
• Support planning for success now and in the future, based upon a secure understanding of students' needs
• Ensure that Care leavers from 16-25 years are in employment, education, or training, and are making good progress

What is the Virtual School?

Coventry Virtual School is a service provided by dedicated professionals whose work is to promote and co-ordinate educational support for Looked After Children and Care Leavers to succeed at nursery, school, college and university; wherever their place of learning.

Our purpose is to ensure that all who work with Coventry’s Looked after Children and Care Leavers have high educational aspirations for them, so that our pupils and students are given the best opportunities to engage, progress and achieve to their full potential.

The Virtual School does not exist in real terms as a building; children and young people do not actually attend. They remain the responsibility of the school at which they are enrolled.

However, Coventry Virtual School is staffed by professionals, who work in partnership with schools, social workers, carers and other professionals. Like all good parents, we ensure that communication about our children is regular and constructive and that we are all working together successfully to help them achieve their potential.

The team

The Virtual School is made up of a small team of dedicated professionals, who are committed to providing the best possible support to help Coventry's looked after children achieve their education potential.

Job roles

Advisory teachers

Each Advisory Teacher has responsibility for supporting the education of looked after children in a specific Key Stage.

Advisory Teachers track and monitor the progress of looked after children within their Key Stage. Support from the Virtual School is identified and initiated to raise the children's attainment according to an assessment of needs.

Part of the role of Advisory Teachers is to quality assure all Personal Education Plans, as well as provide advice and support for transition planning when required.

They also provide training for designated teachers, schools, social workers, and foster carers, and act as advocates by positively challenging the practice of schools when necessary.

Next Steps Mentor (Post 16)

Ensure that looked after children have a clear understanding of how they can attain their aspirations, by supporting students with ensuring they are receiving impartial careers information, advice and guidance.

To oversee post 16 destinations for looked after children/care leavers. Providing information, advice, guidance and signposting to specialist agencies about a range of issues; such as careers, education, employment and training.

To develop and oversee the implementation of the Post 16 PEPs.

LAC Mentor

The Lead Mentor manages the mentoring programme; recruiting and training the mentors and matching them to young people who have been referred.

The LAC Mentoring Programme provides looked after children, aged 10 - 21 years, with an individual mentor. The young people are able to talk to their mentors in complete confidence, about any subject, although they are always informed that this confidentiality does not extend to issues of child protection.

The mentors are all volunteers, some of whom are released from their employment to enable mentoring to take place. They receive training before the mentoring starts, and are expected to make a commitment to support the relationship over a substantial period.

Engagement Officer

To devise and deliver programmes of educational and cultural experience for LAC outside of the school setting.

To promote the progress and raise the aspirations of Looked After Children via their engagement in school and educational experiences outside their school setting.

To work on behalf of the Virtual School to facilitate opportunities to enrich the learning experiences of Looked After Children.

To promote and raise awareness of cultural experiences for Looked After Children.

Vacancies

All vacancies will be advertised on the Coventry City Council jobs website [/councilvacancies].