Welcome to our Virtual School
My name is Karen Jenkins, and I am the Virtual School Head in Powys. I would like to welcome you to our website which will provide you with information, advice, guidance and support.
My team and I support Powys County Council to effectively fulfil its corporate parenting responsibilities by working as the lead education advocate for the children and young people in its care. We monitor their attendance, attainment and achievement to ensure that their educational success is a top priority in care.
Our team
All members of the Powys Virtual School team have a broad knowledge of the care system and a wealth of experience of working with other services to support children and young people including those with additional learning needs (ALN). Our team consists of qualified teachers who have a range of experience teaching in different settings and across key stages.
Our shared ambition is to support all children and young people to be safe, happy, healthy and successful. We put the voice of the young person at the heart of what we do and work collaboratively with other professionals to put positive plans in place.
What is a Virtual School?
The Virtual School acts as a champion to promote the educational achievement of children and young people who are looked after by Powys Local Authority. We exist to ensure Children Looked After achieve educational outcomes comparable to their peers and are able to overcome barriers associated with care experience, adverse childhood experiences and trauma.
The Virtual School does not exist in real terms, as a building or online. Children do not attend it - they remain the responsibility of the school at which they are enrolled. Powys Virtual School is simply an organisation which has been created for the effective co-ordination of educational services for Children Looked After at a strategic and case work level.
Contact us
You can contact Powys Virtual School by emailing virtual.school@powys.gov.uk