Enrichment - Print version

Pupil voice

Why your voice matters

At Coventry Virtual School, we believe that you are the expert in your own life. That means your voice, your ideas, and your dreams are really important to us.

You have a unique perspective on what school feels like, what you want to achieve, and what kind of support helps you best. Sometimes it can feel like professionals are making decisions about you—but we want to make sure you are included in decisions that are for you.

Your input helps us shape better support and better plans for your future. We want you to be in control of your journey, to tell us what matters most to you, and to feel heard, respected and understood.

How you can share your voice

There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts and ideas with us:

• through your PEP: Every term, you will have a Personal Education Plan (PEP) meeting. This is a chance for you to talk about how school is going—what’s going well, what could be better, and what you want for the future
• the PEP meeting is all about your education and making sure your views are included. You don’t have to speak in front of everyone if that feels hard—there are different ways to share how you’re feeling
• through your Social Worker or Carers: You can ask your social worker or carer to share your thoughts with the Virtual School or with your school. They’re part of your team, and they can help make sure your voice is heard
• by joining in with our activities: Our Enrichment and Engagement Officer, Katy, is here to give you opportunities to get involved in fun events, activities and projects where you can meet others and share your views

Help us get your PEP right

Right now, we’re working on making the ‘Pupil View’ section of the PEP even better. We want to make sure we are asking the right questions - the ones that you think are important.

This is something we want to co-create with young people like you. If you’d like to help shape the kinds of questions that are asked in the PEP, or if you’ve got ideas about how we can make this part better, we’d love to hear from you.

Please contact Katy Dolden at katy.dolden@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:katy.dolden@coventry.gov.uk] and she will get in touch with you about how to be involved.

Please also complete our ‘PEP Pupil Voice’ survey. [https://forms.office.com/e/E7nb6g3Hbd]

You deserve to be heard

Your views are never too small, and your ideas can make a big difference. We’re here to listen, to support, and to help you take steps towards the future you want.

Because your voice isn’t just important - it’s powerful.

Katy Dolden – Enrichment and Engagement Lead

As the Enrichment and Engagement Coordinator for Coventry Virtual School, I plan and lead educational and cultural experiences for young people in care, both in and beyond the classroom. My focus is to boost engagement, raise aspirations, and help young people feel more connected to their learning. A key part of my role is building strong relationships with young people, foster carers, and the professionals around them, ensuring they receive support that’s both meaningful and consistent.

Enrichment at Coventry Virtual School

At Coventry Virtual School, enrichment means unlocking the potential in every young person. Through purposeful projects and trusted partnerships, we create opportunities for care-experienced children and young people that build confidence, nurture ambition, and inspire learning. By increasing participation in enrichment activities, we ensure every experience is meaningful, impactful, and tailored to support each young person’s journey.

Your Future, Your Path (Y10 to Y13)

A new initiative offering termly sessions to support care-experienced young people in Years 10–13 with their post-16 journey. Through engaging events, guest speakers from diverse sectors, and tailored guidance, we help them build confidence, explore options, and make informed decisions about their future

Partnerships with Purpose

In collaboration with WMVS CiC Foundation, Performing Perfectly, and Think Active, we provide engaging art, sport and cultural activities across the Coventry Warwickshire and Solihull. These termly experiences encourage self-expression, foster connection, and open minds to new possibilities.

Higher Education & Universities

We support young people in exploring their next steps by encouraging attendance at university sessions locally and within the West Midlands opening up access to higher education opportunities. Through personalised guidance and engaging initiatives, we help them make informed choices and build confidence in their futures.

Virtual School Mentoring

Our new framework is designed to support young people who feel disconnected from school, helping them rebuild trust and find motivation through consistent, relationship-based mentoring. The Virtual School Mentoring Programme encourages pupils to stay engaged with learning, improve their attendance, and make progress. Led by our Engagement Officer, each session is shaped around the pupil’s individual needs and connects directly to their Personal Education Plan (PEP).

Plas Dol-y-Moch Residentials

Coventry Virtual School offers enriching residentials to Plas Dol-y-Moch throughout the year, supporting care-experienced young people to grow, connect and thrive through outdoor adventure and learning beyond the classroom. These shared experiences nurture confidence, relationships and personal development, helping young people feel a stronger sense of belonging.

KS4 (Years 10 and 11): Creative Writing Residential

Supports young people on their GCSE journey by building exam confidence and enhancing writing skills through focused workshops in a supportive environment.

KS3 (Year 9): Humanities Residential

Combines geography and history with outdoor learning to bring subjects to life.

KS3 (Years 7 and 8): Outdoor Adventure Residential

Builds teamwork, resilience and new skills through hands-on exploration.

Upcoming enrichment opportunities for children and young people in care

Your Future, Your Path

• Thursday 26 November 2026: guest speakers from Become, who work to improve the everyday lives and future opportunities of children in care and young care leavers. They provide valuable support, guidance and advice to help young people navigate their personal lives, education and career pathways
• January 2027, date TBC: guest speaker from Coventry University, Health Care Team providing insights into Health Care courses and the diverse career pathways and opportunities available within the sector
• Thursday 22 April 2027: guest speaker from the West Midlands Police Recruitment Outreach Team, providing an insight into the recruitment process, career pathways and apprenticeship opportunities within the police force
• WMVS CiC Foundation Active Now: Sarah Atkins and Co is our new Sports provider as of April 2026 and we are very excited for what's to come. Our children and young people in care will have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities like stand-up paddle boarding, mountain biking, archery, ice skating, horse riding and more.

Active Now activities for 2026 to 2027

WMVS Active Now Program 2026-2027 Provisional schedule – activities and details to be confirmed

• Art offers [http://www.wmvscicfoundation.org.uk/arts-events-what's-on]
• Sport offers [http://www.wmvscicfoundation.org.uk/active-now-events-what's-on]

Virtual School residentials to Plas Dol-y-Moch 2027

• 28 January to 1 February 2027 - KS4 (Y10 and Y11) GCSE Creative Writing Workshops - A unique opportunity for young people to engage in writing activities, develop their creative writing skills and potentially help them to feel more confident as they approach the GCSE exams
• 15 April to 19 April 2027 - KS3 (Year 9) Humanities - A curriculum-linked geography and history residential blending outdoor adventure with real-world learning. Through fieldwork and team activities in a natural setting, students will deepen subject knowledge and broaden their understanding of landscapes, human impact, and historical narratives
• 2 July to 5 July 2027 - KS3 (Y7 and Y8) Outdoor Adventure - Designed to inspire exploration, growth, resilience, and teamwork, this Outdoor Adventure Residential gives young people the chance to discover new outdoor pursuits, build confidence, and broaden their horizons, all while enjoying the stunning surroundings of Plas Dol-y-Moch

If you have a young person who may be interested in any of the residentials, please email Katy Dolden at katy.dolden@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:katy.dolden@coventry.gov.uk], including the young person’s name and the name of the school they attend.

Virtual School engagement and enrichment 2025 to 2026

What we've been up to:

This academic year, the Virtual School has proudly organised, supported, and participated in 28 events, engaging a total of 148 young people in care.

Our enrichment programme has offered a diverse range of inspiring and inclusive experiences, including:

• Theatre trips to see Hamilton and Six
• Skateboarding, Kayaking and paddleboarding activities
• Podcast, Wicked and Street Art workshop’s
• University aspiration events – Aim Higher, UniVenture and Uni-Explorers
• Your Future, Your Path – Post-16 options event
• Career discovery day’s at JLR and Severn Trent
• 3 residentials to Plas Dol-y-Moch (February, March, and May 2026)
• VS School Council – Voices and Vision
• Vamos Theatre Project

With even more events planned for the 2026 to 2027 academic year, be sure to visit our upcoming activities and events page for diary dates and how to book onto the events. We can’t wait to keep the momentum going and build even more unforgettable experiences.

What young people and foster carers are saying

My young person had an amazing time, he has shared lots of information around the activities, the in-jokes and his new friendships. I personally feel he has grown from the experience! We look forward to the next event” – Foster Carer

Thank you so much for taking my young person she had a great time. Thank you for all your hard work” – Foster Carer

“It’s a fun, educational, exciting opportunity that not many young people are lucky to have, and it would be beneficial for many more to have this opportunity as it gives them the chance to explore the wider world, socialise with others and have fun”

Today’s visit to the Victoria Palace Theatre was amazing and a great experience. I am very grateful that I got to see Hamilton — thank you