Agenda item

Report for the Autumn Term 2023.

Deena Moorey, Virtual School Head, confirmed that today’s presentation would provide the Panel with the opportunity to understand in more detail the children behind the data that is part of the regular reports.  The presentation would concentrate on early years data.

It was confirmed that the virtual school has two key roles –

• Promoting the education of looked-after children and previously looked-after children. 
• Promoting the education of children with a social worker.

The Panel received additional information in relation to the role of the virtual school including –

• The high level of children

1)        with additional needs, including EHCPs.

2)        who experience of adversity and trauma.

3)        who experience frequent transitions.

4)        whose experiences affect attendance, learning, behaviour and wellbeing.

The Panel learnt that good and positive experiences and strong relationships can help to repair the damage done to the development of the brain as a result of traumas etc.  The Panel was asked to take into consideration that it isn’t always a fair measure to compare children in care with other children as they will not all have had the same experiences.  There will be some children, not in care, who have also had negative experiences.

The following data was shared with the Panel –

For Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) (cohort of 23 children) it was noted that -

• 19 children in the cohort experienced at least one placement move.
• 16 children in the cohort attended more than one school.
• All the children who achieved a good level of development (GLD) had stayed in the same school and had attendance over 90%

For Key Stage 2 (KS2) (cohort of 28 children) it was noted that –

• 16 children in the cohort remained in one placement over the school year.
• 13 achieved age-related expectations in reading, writing and maths.

For Year 11 (cohort of 46) outcomes it was noted that children in care performed below the national average.

• 6 children in the cohort were expected to achieve a strong pass (Grade 5 or above)
• 8 children in the cohort had poor or no attendance.
• 6.5% of the children in the cohort spoke little or no English.

Following a question from Councillor Marian Humphreys, it was confirmed that early intervention with children is very dependant on each situation.  There is always a review when a child enters care to what, if any, early intervention there has been.  Sharon Shaw, Head of Corporate Parenting, confirmed that the service may not be aware of a child until they enter care which may not be until they start school, or later.

Councillor Jerry Roodhouse noted that the challenges faced by the virtual schools will continue to increase as the challenges faced by the children increase.  It was confirmed that this is reflected in the information collected by the virtual school as the number of children they see increases.  It was noted that the impact of Covid is still being felt.

Leah Adams, Head of Early Years and School Effectiveness confirmed that the solution is to look at how the council can work in a collaborative way.  The Panel noted that there is much closer working in place between the council’s family service and children’s service.  There are monthly partnership boards where not only departments within the council meet up, but also external partners.  John Coleman, Director of Children & Families Service added that the virtual school provides a lot of support to schools in Warwickshire and will challenge the schools if needed. 

Following an earlier comment in relation to the possible repair to developing brains, Councillor Penny-Anny O’Donnell asked if there was any more data around the impact on neurodevelopment.  It was confirmed that there are two speech and language therapists in place who are working with the children that need support, and their families.

The Chair requested that were a % was used in a performance table or to reflect data, that the number the % represented was also included in order for the Panel members to get a clearer understanding.

The Panel thanked Deena and Leah for a very helpful report and useful presentation.  It was agreed that the slides from the presentation would be shared with the Panel.