Agenda item

The attached report gives an overview of the academic year 2021-22 for children in care and care leavers.  The report includes successes, areas that we have been focusing on, areas we are looking to develop and priorities for the next academic year.  Educational outcomes are shown in the report along with an outline of spend for the Pupil Premium Grant.

The Headteacher of Virtual School and College presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The report gave an overview of the academic year 2021-22 for children in care and care leavers.  The report included successes, areas that had been focused on, areas to develop and priorities for the next academic year.  Educational outcomes were shown in the report, along with an outline of spend for the Pupil Premium Grant.

The Committee discussed the report and comments were made, including:

• The Chair requested the Committee’s congratulations be passed on those who had completed Degrees and Masters. ACTION
• In response to a query regarding the unknown Ofsted ratings, it was clarified that those Academies were yet to have an Ofsted inspection therefore had no official rating
• In response to a query from an MYP regarding how absences could be reduced, the Committee was reassured that Officers worked closely with partners to help reduce absences and examples of the work were provided
• In response to a query regarding the suspensions detailed in the report, the Committee was advised of the work by the Virtual School and Inclusion Service to address this issue. 
• In response to a query regarding the use of Pupil Premium (PP), the Committee was advised that the Personalised Education Plan was managed on an electronic system called ‘Welfare Call’, which set targets linked to the PP to say what it was wanted for and the impact it would have on the pupil
• In response to a query regarding the Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC), the Committee was advised that the number listed were not just of school age, as it included post 16 cohort.  The support that was provided for all UASC was detailed to the Committee
• In response to a query regarding any patterns in outcomes for exam data, the Committee was advised that the young people did really well this year and the support and reasons for that were highlighted.  It was noted that this support would continue for all pupils to give them the best opportunity for positive outcomes.
• In response to a query regarding the recording of attendance data, the Committee was advised that attendance data was being collected from post 16 provision at the end of each week.  It was noted that retrospective data could be provided to Foster Carers regarding attendance, but the Service would not have daily attendance information to provide.
• In response to a query regarding the process for contacting a foster carer if a young person did not attend college, the Headteacher of the Virtual School and College advised she would discuss it with the post 16 provision providers to ensure consistency of information and monitoring. ACTION

The Chair summarised as follows:

• Reductions in absences
• Suspensions and how to continue to reduce.
• PP and how it was monitored using Welfare Call
• UASC and EASL support
• Exam and attendance data

RESOLVED that the successes of the young people in care and care leavers, the work that has been undertaken by the Virtual School and the priorities for the next academic year be noted by the Committee.