Karen Dainty - Headteacher, Walsall Virtual School

The Virtual School isn’t a teaching institution – the students are all educated in their own schools. Rather, we are a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency team – the result of a collaboration between Serco, Walsall Council, local schools, social workers, healthcare professionals and members of Connexions. Together, we ensure that all looked-after children receive educational and social support that is holistic and comprehensive. We encourage all of our children to believe in themselves and we aim to give them better life chances. When they realise that we have high expectations of them, they start to form

these expectations for themselves. They come to understand that, no matter what problems they have or challenges they have faced, we won’t give up on them. For many of these children, this takes a bit of getting used to. Once they do, though, they really engage with their education and their sense of wellbeing and self-worth increases significantly.

I taught in secondary schools for 26 years before moving to Walsall Children’s Services nearly seven years ago. Since 2006, none of our looked-after young people have been permanently excluded from their ‘real’ schools. That doesn’t sound like a huge achievement until you consider that children in care are eight times more likely to be excluded than those not in care. We make sure that every child who leaves us at 16 years old has a destination. We are currently on track to achieve our targets at Key Stage 2, Level 4 in Maths and English, and five A*-C grades at GCSE level. Trend analysis has shown an improvement in the outcomes of looked-after children in Walsall, which is rewarding for everyone involved.

We regularly collect educational data on all the children (we are currently working with 363, aged from 3 to 16 years old). We use the data to put bespoke support programmes in place. For example, if a child is worried about exams, we might provide extra tuition. Others might need a hand identifying extra-curricular activities to support their learning and boost their confidence. We also provide post-16 careers advice.

My work involves creating and shaping our initiatives, like working with the 14-19 team to arrange for children to visit local universities, to inspire them to go on to further education. We also work in partnership with Queen Mary’s Grammar School and Queen Mary’s High School in Walsall on projects designed to raise aspirations, accelerate learning and improve outcomes for looked-after children. The Virtual School also supports teachers, social workers and carers with training and advice, as this is the most effective way of ensuring that everyone is doing the best they can for each child.

Ashley is one of our stars. He has overcome personal trauma and turned around his life. Ashley plays an important role in the Council 4 Kids and is always mature, professional and persuasive. He champions the needs of other looked-after children and is a true advocate for them.

I am incredibly proud of him.

Ashley Powell - Pupil, Walsall Virtual School

Ashley, 16, mentors other children in his role as Chair of the Council 4 Kids. He recently won a Heart Pulse award from Serco for his selfless support of others

Until I came to live with my foster parents, I didn’t really go to school. I didn’t enjoy learning so I was behind for my age, and I was always being excluded. I didn’t trust my teachers because the first time I tried to tell one of them about the problems I was having at home, they didn’t listen properly. I was 11 then and a lot has changed in five years. My mum and dad [Liz and Bob Parker, Ashley’s foster parents] helped me to realise that I’m as good as anyone else, and I started a course at Black Country Futures, Walsall, that made lessons fun and interesting. We did lots of art and we learned to strip down computers and build them up again, which I loved. My mentor there helped me to become more confident, and when I went back to normal school at the Willenhall Sports College, he stayed with me. He helped me keep up my attendance and deal with the subjects I found hard. We worked together for three years. I started learning Judo, too, which has really helped me focus. It’s the best thing that’s happened to me. I’ll get my GCSE results soon and then I’m off to Walsall College, on a Judo apprenticeship, to study sports science.

I think that the Virtual School does a great job. I got one-to-one tuition when I was struggling with my work. The teachers and other staff are always there to help. That’s why I became one of the founders of the Council 4 Kids, which we set up two years ago. The idea is that I can help to explain the problems that young people like me face; I can make sure that our view is listened to. I present our ideas to Walsall Council’s Corporate Parenting Board and they use my advice when making their policies. For example, one kid wanted to go on holiday with his carers but couldn’t get a passport. I told the parenting board about this and they tried to help. Unfortunately, he didn’t get one in time to go on holiday, but we’re continuing to fight for the right of all looked-after children to have access to a passport, as this will help kids travel and feel that they have their own identity.

I think I’ve become a lot more confident. I used to get nervous talking in front of crowds, but it’s no problem now. I was especially proud to win a Heart Pulse award from Serco. The ceremony was amazing, I had a really fun evening. Winning that award reminded me that I can achieve and have achieved – just like anyone else.

One of 11 pilot models, the Walsall Virtual School was established in its current form in 2007. The DCSF has cited its work as a model of good practice. Click here to visit their website.