Agenda item

Annual Report Virtual School Headteacher - Academic Year 2018/19

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Minutes:

Members considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services regarding the annual report of the Virtual School for the 2018/2019 academic year.

 

The pupil roll of the Virtual School had grown significantly over the past year. of the cohort at present is predominantly male unaccompanied asylum seekers. There had only been boys within the most recent intake, but the School did have girls within its cohort.

 

It was understood that before arriving in England, refugees may have been advised to declare themselves in the City of London.  All pupils without proof of age are required to undertake age assessments and those people determined to be adults, are removed from the Virtual School’s register. These decisions could be appealed. In such cases, until resolved, they return to the School register, until the position is clarified.

 

Tuition classes had been set up for students who had not yet been placed in schools to enable them to start their learning. Some schools were reluctant to accept students near exam time or at particular key stages.

 

The 10-week enrichment project with the City of London School had been incredibly valuable for students and teachers of both schools. It was hoped that follow-up projects would take place.

 

Members heard that one of the biggest challenges for the Virtual School was developing the students’ proficiency in English. It was suggested that additional English language teaching resources would have a big impact for the students.

 

The report was commended and noted.