Luton’s virtual school
What is a virtual school?
Virtual schools exist to support and challenge those involved in the education of children in care.
Find out more about our virtual school and the roles and responsibilities of team members.
On this page...
The Pledge: looked after young people
Personal educational plans (PEPs)
Independent advice and guidance for young people post 16
Previously looked after children
The Pledge: looked after young people
The pledge is a set of commitments made by the adults working with looked after children and young people.
Personal educational plans (PEPs)
All looked after children (LAC) must have a care plan. The PEP is part of the care plan.
Pupil Premium Plus (PP+)
PP+ funding is additional funding to help looked after children (LAC) and young people reach their potential within their educational settings.
Independent advice and guidance for young people post 16
It is the role of the personal adviser (PA) to ensure that all young people have been supported to apply for college, training, employment and help secure education, employment or training (EET) for year 12.
Find out more about the support you can expect to receive.
Admission to education provisions for looked after children
For looked after children in Luton who are of school age and require a place at an education provision, the virtual school assists social workers with securing a suitable place.
More about admissions for looked after children
Designated teachers
Click the button below to fInd out about work of the designated teacher in schools.
Special educational needs (SEN) and Luton’s Local Offer
Luton's Local Offer - vision statement
Our vision for looked after children and young people with SEN and disabilities is the same as for all children and young people. Our Local Offer helps them offers access points to sources of support.
More about Luton's Local Offer
Previously looked after children (PLAC)
Previously looked after children is a collective term which refers to children and young people who have been ‘looked after’ by the local authority but have gone on to be adopted or are subject to an order.
PLAC - information for educational settings
Children who have or have previously had a social worker
From September 2021, the virtual school took on a strategic leadership role in promoting the educational outcomes of the cohort of children with a social worker and those who have previously had a social worker, who are aged from 0 up to 18.
Events
Celebration events
The virtual school enjoys celebrating the achievements and successes of our looked after children and care leavers.
We hold two award ceremonies during the academic year.
Barney Wild Awards
These are held in the autumn term of the academic year and are for looked after children in care from pre school up to and including year 9.
- Daes to be confirmed
Bright Stars Awards
These are held in the summer term of the academic year and are for looked after children in care from year 9 until they leave care.
- Thursday 11 July 2024 at University of Bedfordshire, Luton Campus.
Other diary dates
- DT training online
- 26 September 2023, 4pm - virtual
- DT network meetings
- Autumn term, Tuesday 21 November
- Spring term, 7 March 2024
- Virtual school conference
- 23 May 2024, venue TBC
Contact us
Any queries regarding Luton's virtual school funding should be directed to:
Michelle Wright
[email protected]
07834 617 857
Matthew Sims
[email protected]
01582 548113