Virtual school for children in care

Liverpool Council is launching a virtual
school to provide the 800 looked-after children in the city with
additional tuition once their normal lessons have ended.

The
virtual school caters for both primary and secondary pupils and had
its first open evening earlier this month. It is being launched in
a pilot scheme on 30 April and the council’s aim is for it to be
available to all 800 of Liverpool’s looked-after children within
the next 12 months.

The
council is spending £1m to provide each child with their own
computer in order to use the school. It has been designed to
provide the extra support looked-after children often
require.

Council leader Mike Storey said:
“We know we have to make sure our children in care improve their
school results and have the same educational chances as their
peers.”

The
virtual school works with a designated teacher within each of the
city’s schools. The teaching will be delivered via e-learning
packages such as programmes to help children and their carers with
study support materials for GCSEs and also includes an online
service providing information and advice.