About the Virtual School

What is the Virtual School's role?

The Virtual School is not a teaching institution. It is a model we use to provide advice and support for the education of children in care and a constructive challenge to those providing the services.

The aim is 'to help children in care to gain a first-class education throughout their childhood, including making sure they get into the right school for them and are given the best possible support through the education system.’

  • Monitor and promote the educational progress and achievement of Children Looked After and care leavers
  • Ensure that Personal Education Plans are current, relevant, and effective
  • Promote and monitor the use of the Pupil Premium Grant
  • Support Schools and Designated Teachers to develop effective strategies and support for Children Looked After
  • Provide advice and guidance for social workers and carers on issues relating to the education of Children Looked After
  • Commission and fund additional resources for Children Looked After to support education
  • Develop and implement programmes and activities to support the education and learning of Children Looked After
  • Provide information, advice and guidance to Children Looked After and care leavers about education, employment and training

The aim of The Virtual School is to give looked after children better opportunities to access high quality and appropriate educational provision and services, to enable them to achieve and succeed in preparation for adult life.

What does the Virtual School offer?

This service is available to:

  • Young people who are looked after by or are care leavers of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
  • Professionals who work with Children Looked After in the care of or placed by other local authorities in this local authority.
  • Schools and colleges in the borough.

Advice and guidance can also be given for:

  • Children and young people from the borough who are adopted or the subject of Special Guardianship Orders.
  • Looked after and adopted children placed in the borough by other local authorities.
  • Children who have or have ever had a social worker

When is this service available?

  • All year round, although some aspects of the service are reduced during school holidays.

How do you access this service?

  • Initial contact by email or telephone.

How do we ensure the quality of this service?

  • The Virtual School Head reports to the Head of Children Looked After and Care Leavers.
  • The Virtual School produces an annual report to the Corporate Parenting Board.

Meet the Virtual School team

Head of Virtual School

School Age and SEND Senior Practitioner

Post 16 and Participation Senior Practitioner

Advisory Teachers

Pathway Coordinator

Participation Coordinator

Enrichment Programme Coordinator

Operations Assistant

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