Agenda item

Report from the Virtual School Head

Warwickshire Virtual School Autumn 2024 Report

Minutes:

Deena Moorey, Virtual School Head presented the report to the panel confirming that it covered the Autumn 2024 term.

 

The following points were highlighted to the panels –

 

  • In relation to formal Kinship Duties, it was confirmed that planning and preparation have been successfully completed, and the Virtual School service is set to implement the additional formal kinship duties soon.

 

  • It was further confirmed that many schools are now on board with the attachment and trauma training offered to them.  The Panel noted that this was a very positive step and would benefit a range of children, not just children in care.

 

  • The Enrichment programme at Coventry University ended abruptly in the summer term because of funding and staffing reductions at the university.   However, work is already underway planning a replacement programme. The University of Warwick is keen to remain a partner, and the group of Birmingham universities has extended their outreach to include Warwickshire Children in Care.

 

  • Following a question from Councillor Penny-Anne O’Donnell, it was confirmed that drop out rates for post-16 training placements tend to be available around October/November but had not yet been circulated.  It was confirmed that as soon as the information is available, it will be shared with the panel.

 

  • In relation to Education, Health and Care plans (EHCP) it was confirmed that the current delay is around finding suitable provision.  There is a national shortage of placements.  There isn’t a delay in completing an EHCP, just in actioning the placement, especially if there is a need to change the plan.  The delay is currently 12-24 weeks.

 

The reported outcomes for Warwickshire Children in Care were highlighted as follows –

 

  • All foundation results are improving and are 10% higher than last year.

 

  • Results for SEND/EHCP children are currently higher than the national figure.

 

  • The results for Key Stage 2 students have been reported as the most stable cohort over the last 12 months and are performing above the national average.

 

  • It was noted that there was no Key Stage 1 data for the above cohort and their attendance due to Covid.

 

The Chair asked for further information in relation to the 27 children identified as not currently working on a GCSE curriculum.  It was confirmed that these children tend to be asylum seeking children or those in special placement schools.  Each case will be dependant on the individual’s education plan.

 

In relation to the 2 students who did not sit any GCSE exams over the summer, it was confirmed that one was pregnant and was not attending school.  The second student had attended school but did not attend exams.

 

Following a question from Councillor Caroline Phillips, it was confirmed that the data in relation to NEETs was from the summer period, which can cause the data to look worse than it is due to the summer holidays.  Some of the cohort were also Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children who wouldn’t have been in a position to take up a college course at the time of the report. 

 

It was noted that the number of NEET young people is slowing increasing again after Covid.  It was agreed that there would be a deep dive into this and that a report will be brought to a future panel meeting.

 

The Chair thanked the officers for the report stating that it has been a positive report and a chance to celebrate the success of the children.

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