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The Virtual School



The Children and Families Act 2014 requires Local Authorities to appoint a Virtual School Head whose purpose is to ensure the Local Authority fulfils its statutory duty to promote the education of Looked After Children.

The Virtual School Head for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) is Beth Stockley, while Rhian Williams is the Virtual School Head for Westminster. 

The role of the Virtual School is to:

  • Monitor and promote the educational progress and achievement of Looked After Children and care leavers
  • Ensure that Personal Education Plans are current, relevant and effective
  • Promote and monitor the use of the Pupil Premium Grant
  • Support Schools and Designated Teachers to develop effective strategies and support for Looked After Children
  • Provide advice and guidance for social workers and carers on issues relating to the education of Looked After Children
  • Commission and fund additional resources for Looked After Children to support education
  • Develop and implement programmes and activities to support the education and learning of Looked After Children
  • Provide information, advice and guidance to Looked After Children and care leavers about education, employment and training


Who to contact

Contact Name
Beth Stockley (RBKC) or Rhian Williams (Westminster)
Contact Position
Virtual School Heads
E-mail
 beth.stockley@rbkc.gov.uk
 rwilliams@westminster.gov.uk

Other Details

Availability

Age Ranges
From early years up to 26 years old

Local Offer

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Who is this service available to?

Young people who are Looked After by or are Care Leavers of these authorities:

  • Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
  • City of Westminster

Professionals who work with Looked After Children in the care of, or placed by other local authorities in, the three authorities.

Schools and colleges in the three boroughs.

A degree of support can also be given for:

  • children and young people from the tri-borough who are adopted or the subject of Special Guardianship Orders
  • Looked After and adopted children placed in the tri-borough by other local authorities
When is this service available?

All year round, although some aspects of the service are reduced during school holidays.

How do you access this service?

Initial contact by email or telephone. Please see contact details above.

How do we ensure the quality of this service?

The Virtual School Head reports to the Director of Family Services (RBKC).

The Virtual School produces an Annual Report to each authorities Corporate Parenting Board.

Can parents and young people buy this service as part of their SEND personal budget?

No

Local Offer Age Bands
Secondary (11-16 years)
Transitions to Adulthood (16+)
Early Years (0-4 years)
Primary (4-10 years)
Last Updated 28/08/2019

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