childrenmobi02

Carers

Foster Carers & Residential Staff

Your role as carer is very important to children in care, and to us at the Virtual School. Helping your child to learn and stay motivated is always a challenge. Hear what carers and parents have to say about how much they value their child's time at school and the importance of learning. 

The Virtual School is here to support you and your child. We provide you with learning tools and a qualified teacher as an advocate. A Virtual School teacher can help and advise you to make the best decisions for your child. You will have questions about your child attending school and thriving. Here are some of the answers to those questions. Not all of the information in the video is current, but your child's safety remains a priority.

At the Virtual School we work with our students, schools and families to provide the support needed to help our children become independent adults. It is crucial to be ambitious for your child. You have a wealth of experience to help your child to reach their full potential.  

Your Virtual School Teacher

Your Virtual School teacher will be in regular contact by phone,email and PEP meetings to ask how your child is getting on. We welcome your views. Please ask for the support you need.

The Virtual School will:

  • Take an active interest in your child's learning and wellbeing
  • Provide resources to help you to support your child’s learning at home
  • Provide quality training for you with and through the wider council 2023-2024.
  • Regularly update our NEW events calendar to keep you up to date with activities, lessons and study support for children,and job fairs and apprenticeship opportunities for 16-25 year olds. See the latest Tower Hamlets Post-16 prospectus for year 11 pupils here
  • Throughout the year, the Virtual School will also invite you to attend training forums. You will be able to ask questions and get the help you need. 
  • Invite you and your child to the Virtual School Annual Awards Evening,with special guest speakers!

 

VIRTUAL_SCHOOL_AWARDS_086 (1)

Kriss Akabusi MBE:

Our main speaker at our Annual Student Awards Evening in London.

We will also:

  • Provide a code for you and you child to access the Virtual School Digital Library called THVSLearn. The app is full of free interactive training,education and independent living resources and is avaliable from  Apple and Android stores. If you have not received your code, please ask your Virtual School teacher for it
  • Keep you up to date with our termly newsletters
  • Keep you up to date with exam changes. 
  • Keep you up to date on university events at UEL and other universities for Years 10-13.
  • Is your child keen to get into Oxford? Oxford University is running a series of events for students in Year 11 and 12 who are considering applying to Oxford or Cambridge. Explore links here and here!

It's important when working with your child’s school to:

  • Take an active interest in the child’s homework
  • Encourage your child to study. 
  • Support your child’s attendance at school
  • Advocate for the child’s needs by making sure your views are heard. Completing your carer views form with your child's social worker, or a Virtual School teacher will help us all to understand more about what your child needs
  • If you think your child could benefit from intervention to develop their emotional literacy and social skills, please find out if your school has an ELSA. The SENCo and your Virtual School teacher will be able to assist you. See more about ELSAs here

PEP meetings are a great way to have direct conversations with your child's school and with the Virtual School. You will always be listened to and form part of the plan to help your child.

Get to Know Your Education Champions!

The role of the education champion include:

  • Helping you to engage with the education of your child
  • Helping you understand your role in deciding what is best for your child
  • Attending PEPs with you to help you discuss your childs needs

If you think you need support from an education champion, please contact the Virtual School. 020 7364 3692

Practical tips for you to support children with their learning:

  • Tell the school about changes or problems
  • Help your child to talk about any worries and speak on their behalf when appropriate
  • Help your child to voice their hopes for their future in their school
  • Encourage your child to develop their talents and recognise their achievements, no matter how small
  • Attend parents’ evenings and invite the birth family where appropriate
  • Support school policies
  • Take an interest in the activities of the school
  • Complete homework diaries and reading records.
  • Support homework by reading with your child, offering advice and making sure set tasks are completed
  • Support school and Virtual School events
  • Make sure you know the timetables and arrangements for exams
Influence policy and develop and improve services for looked after children and care leavers Promote individual achievement, health, and well-being.

Resources

  • Foster Carer Training Brochure 2023-2024
  • Education Support Pack
  • Get involved! Read our 2020-2021 Newsletters here
  • Read your Summer 2023 Newsletter.
  • Is your young person between 16-25? Get the Tower Hamlets Know Now App to access living, employment, apprenticeship and training information on Apple and Android
  • Is your child interested in drama, theatre and production? Half MoonTheatre and the Virtual School run activities throughout the year. Look out for calendar events too!
  • If your child or young person would like to join in fun activities at Haileybury Youth Centre, you can find information for 8-12 year oldshere and 13 years and above here
  • Tower Hamlets Post 16 Prospectus 

Links