To consider a report on the role of the Virtual School for Looked After Children, the educational outcomes for Looked After Children in the academic year 2013/14 and the measures taken in the current academic year 2014/15, in partnership with other agencies, to raise the achievement and progress of all Looked After Children.

The Panel considered a report from the Director of Children’s Services which explained the role of the Central Bedfordshire Virtual School, the confirmed educational outcomes for Looked After Children in the academic year 2013/14 and the measures taken in the current academic year 2014/15, in partnership with other agencies, to raise the achievement and progress of all Looked After Children.

The Assistant Director School Improvement introduced the report which, she explained, contained results which had now been validated.  She then worked through the report, which covered the following matters, highlighting issues she felt to be of particular interest:

·         Issues

·         Background

·         Exclusions

·         Attendance

·         Pupil’s Achievement

·         Governance

·         Priority Actions for 2014/15

The Assistant Director School Improvement then updated the Panel on recent developments regarding targeted support including additional support for foster carers, the extension of the Pupil Premium into early years and moving the Virtual School predominantly online.  She also referred to the appointment of a Personal Advisor in the Virtual School to work three days a week tracking the progress of Looked After Children and to the Virtual School Head’s invitation to speak to Education Inspectors on the role of the Virtual School.

A Member then raised a number of queries.  In response the Assistant Director School Improvement confirmed that the Pupil Premium needed to be spent by the end of the financial year or would be returned to the department for Education.  She added that the monies were almost fully spent.  With regard it the Premium’s use to support group learning the Assistant Director School Improvement stated that it had funded individual pupils too date.  She emphasised that every child was regarded as an individual and the Virtual School had adopted this approach in its service provision.  It was recognised that pupils’ needs varied on a year by year basis and so the focus needed to be individuals.

The Panel’s attention was drawn to the absence of a comparative 2013 percentage figure from paragraph 26 of the report which dealt with Looked After Children achieving the expected level in reading, writing and mathematics for the year ending 31 March 2014.  In response the Assistant Director School Improvement undertook to supply this information.

Further discussion took place regarding pupils’ achievement under the Key Stage 4 Results for 2014.  The Assistant Director School Improvement explained that one area which required examination related to those children who came late into care and hadn’t developed academically due to the adverse background impacting on their emotional health and wellbeing.

A foster carer commented that the Virtual School was the most pro-active that she had been in contact with and expressed her thanks for this.

The Assistant Director Children’s Services Operations commented on the improved content and greater detail of the reports on the Virtual School over the last two years and paid tribute to the Assistant Director School Improvement and the Virtual School Head for their leadership and control in this area. 

Following further discussion and comment the Chairman, on behalf of the Panel, asked that the Panel’s congratulations be taken back and shared with the Virtual School Head for the improvements which had been made.

NOTED

the outcomes for Looked After Children in the academic year 2013/14 and the impact of the measures taken since September 2014 to develop the role of the Virtual School in order to improve outcomes for Looked After Children and young people.