Agenda item

To receive the report of the Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services

The Board received the report of the Executive Director of Community & Children’s Services providing Members with information about the role of The City of London Virtual School. Members noted the School Development Plan.

A Member asked for more granular information on users of the virtual school including age, location and numbers of NEETs. The meeting noted that the information is contained in the annual report provided to Members, and that the information will be circulated to Members (see Action Point).

Members commented on apparent miscommunication between the virtual school and CoLAT in respect of excluded students, and asked for more information on the liaison role of the CoL virtual school with borough virtual schools. The meeting heard that the CoL virtual head liaises with pan-London virtual headteachers on a monthly basis, that communication gaps of that nature will be raised at the next such meeting, and that additional staff training has been offered to CoLAT schools on trauma-informed practices and support, with delivery expected to take place from September 2025.

A Member commented that targeted support should be offered to relevant CoLAT schools where appropriate that would include an early alert system. The meeting heard that affected City resident students are supported.

Members commented on the benefits of tracking students that had been involved in the virtual school and asked whether information on destinations of young people after the age of 25 was available, including those who had an EHCP that went on to University.