Your role as a parent /carer is very important to our children in care and to us at the Virtual School.
In our role as ‘Corporate Parent’, RBG Virtual School aims to ensure that our looked after children and care leavers have the same opportunities and chances in life and achieve the best educational, health, and economic outcomes as any parent would wish for their children. In other words, working together ‘as a village’ with parents and carers to provide the best possible outcomes for children in our care.
At the Virtual school, our officers have a wealth of experience and are here to help and advise you to make the best possible decisions for your child. You may have questions about your child attending school and thriving or how your child’s school designated teacher can further support you as an advocate for any challenges you or your child may be experiencing. We work with our children and young people, schools, other agencies, support groups, and families to help your child reach their full potential and become independent, happy, and successful adults.
Practical ways you can further support your child’s learning. Your role as their parent/carer is a significant factor in their educational success
At School:
- Attend meetings, parents’ evenings, and information events to build positive relations with staff at your child’s school
- Support and encourage your child’s regular school attendance and punctuality
- Inform the school about any changes or challenges that might impact on your child’s learning and behaviour
- Familiarise yourself with school procedures and policies and help your child to understand them.
- Advocate for your child’s needs by making sure your views are heard by your child’s designated schoolteacher which, in turn, will help us all to understand how we can better support them.
- Make sure you know their class timetables and dates for tests and exams
- Complete homework diaries and reading records
- Encourage your child to develop their interests and acknowledge their achievements
- Take an interest in the activities the school provides such as after school clubs
- Ensure you know the Personal Education Plan dates
- Talk to your child before the PEP meeting and help them to express their views
- Raise any concerns during the PEP meeting and offer as much support as you can
At Home:
- Help them pack their school bag the night before and develop independence
- Make sure they eat breakfast and talk to them about what they will be doing that day at school
- Establish age-appropriate bedtime routines
- Take an interest in their school experiences
- Find out what homework your child is expected to do and when. Support your child to complete it
- Value the need to focus and not be distracted, and provide a space to learn
- Teach them study skills. Help to identify what helps them to learn
- Encourage them to see the value of learning and understand why they need the skills they are developing.
- Communicate, and involve them in planning a family event or journey. Listen to their views. Talk to them about their future hopes and dreams
Effective Parenting
All parents will at some point struggle with parenting their children and may need some practical support for a while, or advice on what to do when parenting becomes a challenge. Parenting support comes in many forms, from intensive family support, parenting programmes and workshops, short-term support, or advice on specific issues. For further support or advice, you should contact your social worker who can signpost you to providers to help with this.
What you can expect from us
The Virtual school will:
- Take an active interest in your child’s learning
- Promote individual achievement and wellbeing
- Provide tuition and experiences to further support your child’s learning and broaden their cultural capital
- Provide back to school advice
- Invite you to attend training forums where you will be able to ask questions and get the help you need
- Attend PEPs with you to discuss your child’s needs
- Support you with school transition and provide practical advice on schools, colleges further education and employment
- Provide further guidance on how to reduce disaffection, truancy and exclusions