Agenda item

[To receive the annual report from the Virtual School Head.]

Darren Martindale, Virtual School Head presented the Virtual School Head Annual Report 2019 and highlighted salient points. The report sought to inform Corporate Parenting Board of the educational progress and achievements of Wolverhampton’s Children and Young People in Care, and previously in care, and the steps that the local authority has taken to support those achievements.

It was noted that the Beanstalk reading assistant scheme had been successful with the aim of accelerating children’s reading progress, confidence and attitude to reading. The Turnabout programme had also produced positive results by improving confidence and problem-solving skills in reading and writing. It had also been noted that, out of the children who had shown improvement on this programme, a high percentage of had also seen improvements in maths. 

In respect of children in years 7 – 11, it was highlighted that 75% had achieved the age-appropriate stage in English and 72% had achieved the age-appropriate stage in maths. It was noted that attainment gaps existed in some areas, however work was being undertaken to ensure these gaps closed.

It was reported that there were a number of successes for children and young people in care in Wolverhampton. It was noted that attendance rates were high and persistent absences were falling. It was highlighted that no children and young people had been permanently excluded from school or setting in the past year. This was commended as the rate of permanent exclusion for children and young people in care had been rising nationally.

It was queried whether any pupil premium plus funding had been invested in arts or sports and clarified that there had been an increase in this type of funding. It was agreed that focus was needed on achievement in the core subjects however it was felt that arts and sports would add extra depth.

It was also clarified that an area of the personal education plans (PEPs) had been dedicated to extra-curricular interests, therefore activities such as theatre trips, music lessons, art events and workshops could be funded if a student wished to participate. It was noted that Virtual Heads were able to network via the West Midlands Consortium to arrange visits for children and young people in care to arts events and workshops around the region.

In response to a query around how the Authority had been approaching the behaviour leading to exclusions, it was noted that there was a wide plan in place. Support around emotional literacy and anger management was offered and extensive work was undertaken in partnership with schools to promote inclusion. The intention was to cultivate the understanding that challenging behaviour was usually driven by an unmet need and to work towards supporting young people in a different way.

It was clarified that pupil premium plus could be used for sporting activities provided there was a direct link to supporting a specific child’s learning targets. It was suggested that children and young people displaying challenging behaviour could engage in sports to channel any physical aggression. 

Resolved:

That the Virtual School Head Annual Report be received.