Virtual School website
Just a reminder that all our protocols, guidance, forms, ePEP information and plenty of other useful resources can be found on the Virtual School webpages. See Information for schools, settings and governors. There is also a section for adopted children and those under special guardianship orders.
Introduction from our new VS Headteacher
Dear All
I’d like to start off this Virtual School Newsletter by introducing myself, I’m Emma-Louise Hodgson and I became the Virtual School Headteacher for Devon County Council on 19 June 2024, following Wendy Ohlson’s retirement in April.
Whilst I am new to the role and to the Local Authority, I have 22 years of experience in Education, beginning my teaching career in September 1999 and have taught all Early Years and Primary Year Groups (including nursery).
I spent eight years as a Deputy Headteacher, DT, DSL and SENDCo of a large Primary School on the outskirts of Birmingham City Centre.
Between June 2016 and June 2024, I was working for Birmingham City Council’s Education Safeguarding Team, initially responsible for leading and managing Education and Schools response and engagement within the front door to Birmingham Children’s Trust Services which comprised of Children’s Advice and Support Service, MASH and EMPOWER U (Birmingham’s Missing and Exploitation Hub). In recent years, I was the Acting Head of Service for Education Safeguarding.
As well as BA QTS status, I am a fully qualified SENDCo and have an MA in Education, with my research and dissertation exploring the effects of Domestic Abuse on children and what therapeutic support and interventions are available for them.
I am passionate about supporting our most vulnerable children and young people, through restorative, trauma informed and holistic practice and strategies. I am delighted to be in post and overseeing such a dedicated and committed Virtual School Team.
Already I have seen some of the excellent practice that is taking place in Devon schools and I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all that you do for children and young people in care or who are care-experienced, as well as those who are subject to social care intervention such as CP or CIN Plans.
I hope you all have an excellent summer break; it is very well deserved and I look forward to working with you.
Emma-Lou
Dates for your diary
Designated Teacher Network Meetings
11 November 2024 from 1.30pm – 3.00pm via Teams (focus to be confirmed)
Hold this date in your diary and an Outlook calendar invite will be emailed to all DTs nearer the date, if you don’t receive the invite please request from kate.clarke@devon.gov.uk.
Further dates for DT Network Meetings will be set up for January, March, May and July 2025 and sent out to all DTs in the new term.
New DT Refresher Training
We are aware that Designated Teachers change and move on and to help with this the Virtual school and Educational Psychology Service are running a training or information session aimed at new DT`s or those who would like a refresher about the role. The virtual training sessions will be held termly to cover new people taking up the role as the school year unfolds and to give a choice of dates. Each session will be the same so you would only need to attend one.
Structure of the training:
- One hour to understand trauma, attachment and why a CiC may need something additional from a school setting.
- One hour looking at ‘What it means to be a DT and the statutory duties it entails’.
Dates:
16 September 2024 from 2.00-4.15pm via Teams.
To attend the new DT refresher training please request the calendar invite or Teams joining instructions from kate.clarke@devon.gov.uk.
Further dates for New DT Refresher Training will be set up for January, July and September 2025 and sent out to all DTs in the new term.
Any changes to designated teachers or contact information
If you have a change of staff please email educate.virtualschool-mailbox@devon.gov.uk to inform us of your new Designated Teacher’s name and email address so we can ensure that our emails are sent to the correct person and that your new DT is set up on the ePEP system.
Many thanks.
Free attachment based mentoring training for school staff
Just a reminder that there are still places available on the free Attachment Based Mentoring Training and Developing Relational Support Plans Training for all Devon Schools (and non-Devon Schools that have a child in care to Devon on roll).
Please see full details, dates and booking links below.
These prove very popular every year and places fill up quickly.
Please note: you need to be logged into your Devon Education Services account to be able to see the ‘book now’ button. If you don’t have a log in please register at Devon Education Services.
All queries regarding this training should be directed to:Educate.educationtraining-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
Attachment based mentoring (3.5 days – full course)
The Future Skills Centre, Exeter
The Attachment Based Mentoring programme aims to meet the specific needs of children who are most in need, by providing them with a significant adult in school who will become a safe base and is able to provide relational support through coaching and mentoring.
This 3.5 day training draws on theories and research from the fields of attachment, coaching and resilience, ABM is a comprehensive practical guide as to what to do and how to be to ensure that the individual needs of each child are met. The approach aims to enable children to feel safe, connected, and capable – forming positive relationships and enjoying learning.
This course is aimed at: teachers and teaching assistants who will be attachment based mentors and senior leaders who have a responsibility for student support and wellbeing.
Available dates: 5,6,14 November 2024 (9.30am – 4.00pm) and 16 December 2024 (1.30pm – 4.00pm).
Attachment based mentoring for Designated Teachers, SENCOs and Senior Leaders (1 day)
The Future Skills Centre, Exeter
The course provides a comprehensive overview of the key components of the Attachment Based Mentoring Approach:
- Attachment and Relationships (being a significant adult) – The theories which underpin our understanding of effective relationships and their role in development, learning and well-being as well as developing the skills and practical strategies that we need to use in our work with children.
- Development (being a coach) – The theory and practical application of using solution focused coaching skills to support the child to identify skills and strengths and work towards what they would like to achieve.
- Practical Support (being a parent in school) – Supporting inclusion, providing information, being an advocate and how we can set and maintain boundaries with nurture and empathy, using a relational rather than behavioural approach.
The course will support participants to co-ordinate and facilitate the mentoring within school as well as developing personal skills. In addition, the course is a comprehensive guide to understanding the needs of CIC and vulnerable children and as such will help to develop practice across the school as well as supporting systemic change.
This course is aimed at designated teachers, SENCos, and senior leaders.
Available dates: 20 November 2024 (9.30 am – 4.00 pm) or 5 March 2025 (9.30 am – 4.00 pm).
Book your free place on the attachment based mentoring course here.
Building relationships that make a difference: Developing relational support plans (1 day)
The Future Skills Centre, Exeter
This one-day course explores the theories which underpin our understanding of effective relationships and their role in learning, development and wellbeing as well as developing the skills and practical strategies that underpin the relational and ABM approach.
The course includes:
- why relationships are key to teaching and learning
- the role of the adult as a source of safety, security, regulation and belonging
- the impact of anxious relationships on thoughts, feelings and behaviour and what we can do to help
- using relational support plans to develop universal to targeted support
The course is aimed at Senior Leaders, DTs, SENCos and teachers in school who have responsibility for co-ordinating relational support and who may be facilitating relational support plan meetings.
Available dates: 18 September 2024 (9.30 am – 4.00 pm) or 22 January 2025 (9.30 am – 4.00pm)
Book your free place on the building relationships course here.
STEMFest 2024: Darwin’s Voyage
Join us this October for our annual STEMFest Event, from 7 – 18 October 2024
After the success of last year’s evolution and conservation themed STEMFest, we are excited to announce that we will once again be inspired by the work of the Darwin200 project.
Students will be invited to travel back in time, to follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin as he navigated the globe after setting sail from Britain’s Ocean City.
Pupils can take part either virtually or in-person, in a variety of STEM based activities; all of which are inspired by the work of the amazing Darwin200 expedition.
These sessions will be delivered both in our dedicated learning centre, and around some of the exhibit spaces of the National Marine Aquarium. You can expect ecological surveys, scientific drawing, and opportunities to explore the theory of evolution, by evolving your very own sea creature!
Groups joining us in person will finish their day with an interactive show, which will leave pupils inspired to explore local habitats and take action to protect them.
What is the Darwin200 expedition?
We are excited to be working in partnership with the inspirational Darwin200 expedition. The Darwin200 crew will be honouring the legacy of Charles Darwin by setting sail on a tall ship known as the Oosterschelde, taking the same route that the famous naturalist took during one of the most important scientific journeys in modern history.
Their main aim is to inspire young people from around the globe to take an interest in protecting the natural world and become the lead conservationists of tomorrow.
As part of this incredible expedition, they will be arranging for 200 ‘Darwin Leaders’, aged 18-25, to carry out important work with conservation charities and NGOs, at locations which Darwin visited 188 years ago during his epic voyage.
They will each study an animal which Darwin observed whilst he carried out his work, research their IUCN status, and consider what can be done to protect them.
Who can attend STEMFest 2024?
Schools may bring multiple classes to STEMFest, depending on availability. It is designed for pupils in Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3. T.
To book STEMFest for 7 – 18 October 2024 please email learning@oceanconservationtrust.org or call 01752 275233.
Home Educated Children: we have a day dedicated to Home Educated Children on 10 October 2024 (for those aged 7-15 years)
Book here for the Home Educated Children – 10 October 2024 event.
We will also be hosting a Virtual STEMFest on the 22 October 2024 from 9.30am – 11:30am.
For the first time ever the Eden project will be co-delivering our virtual STEMFest! Schools who are not able to attend in person can explore both tropical and Ocean biomes, looking at the amazing habitats and animals in our planet and getting hands on learning real conservation techniques.
We will then deliver an interactive workshop live from the OCT Learning Centre. Join our mailing list to receive updates on how to book!
Free creative crafts and outdoor events for Young People (Summer 2024, near Crediton)
Youth Programmes by Significant Seams – Eventbrite
Have a look at these various creative crafts and outdoor events near Crediton over the summer for young people aged 11-16, to support youth wellbeing through art.
Making high quality creative experiences for 11-16 year olds, helping them to achieve Arts Award Qualifications.
Further details and booking available here.
Free wellies for wellness sessions near Totnes
Please see information below regarding the ‘Wellies for Wellness’ sessions running throughout the summer on 7, 8, 13, 15, 20 and 22 August.
Sessions are free for children and their families as they are kindly funded by the generous supporters or the Mare and Foal Sanctuary. There will be a variety of fun, nature-based activities planned taking place in their woodland area.
The sessions will take place at Coombe Park Equestrian and Education Centre, Littlehempston, near Totnes TQ9 6LW – a Sanctuary for rescued horses and ponies.
The sessions will run from 11.00am – 2.00pm each day and attendees will need to bring a packed lunch.
Please be aware that places are limited and therefore early booking is essential. Please click on the links below to book:
- Wednesday 7 August
- Thursday 8 August
- Tuesday 13 August
- Thursday 15 August
- Tuesday 20 August
- Thursday 22 August
Once families book their place the Sanctuary will be in touch with consent forms which need to be completed in advance of the session.
All queries and questions should be directed to Ali Murray (Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator) email education@mareandfoal.org or call 01803 228255.
Celebration event 2024
On Friday 5 July we held our annual Celebration of Achievement event for our children and young people in care and leaving care.
The evening, organised by Virtual School, took place at Exeter Racecourse and recognises the amazing achievements that our young people have made over the last 12 months.
The presentation of the awards was introduced by Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Schools, and Emma-Louise Hodgson, Head of the Virtual School.
Each young person’s achievement was read out and they were then presented with their personalised certificate and gift voucher in recognition of their hard work and accomplishments.
Around the venue there was lots of fun and games to get involved in and guests also enjoyed plenty of food, a chocolate fountain and free ice cream courtesy of Salcombe Dairy.
Some 200 young people attended the evening, bringing with them a further 275 guests. In total, 427 young people were nominated and invited to attend.
The evening was a great success and was a wonderful celebration of the achievements of our care-experienced young people.
Lastly, many thanks for all your support and work with our children in care this term and we hope you have a relaxing and enjoyable Summer break.
We work all year round so please don’t hesitate to get in touch
- Emma-Louise Hodgson (VS Headteacher) email emma-louise.hodgson@devon.gov.uk or call 01392 380818
- Julie Potter (ALA – Exeter and East Devon) email julie.potter@devon.gov.uk or call 01392 384571
- Campbell Orr (ALA – North Devon) email campbell.orr@devon.gov.uk or call 01392 388488
- Sarah Acland (ALA – Exeter and Mid Devon) email sarah.acland@devon.gov.uk or call 01392 382372
- Andrew Squire (ALA – South and West Devon) email andrew.squire@devon.gov.uk or call 01392 380918
- Mo Hurley (ALA – 16-18 year olds and NEETs) email mo.hurley@devon.gov.uk or call 01392 386479
- Deryn Dewing (Education Advisor for PLAC/those on SGOs/Kinship care) email deryn.dewing@devon.gov.uk
- Kate Clarke (VS Administrator) email kate.clarke@devon.gov.uk