Virtual School - Training
We provide training about the education of looked-after and previously looked-after children.
Courses are free. Bookings can be made online and close one week before the event.
New for 2025/26: An introduction to attachment aware and trauma informed practice
Target audience: All staff in education settings.
Description: An introduction to trauma and attachment difficulties and the impacts that these can have on children. This training will also support staff to understand how these difficulties might present in an education setting and provide useful strategies for supporting children with trauma and attachment related needs.
Session slides and a certificate will be provided, and the training marked as complete, once your evaluation form is returned.
Dates
- Wednesday 8 October 2025, 2pm to 4pm
- Tuesday 10 February 2026, 2pm to 4pm
- Thursday 14 May 2026, 2pm to 4pm
Carers of children in care
Promoting the education of looked-after children
Target audience: Foster carers and children’s home staff who care for looked-after children.
Description: How foster carers can promote the educational attainment of their child and how residential staff can meet their statutory education standards.
Although both groups have slightly different standards to meet, there is a great deal of overlap and all topics covered represent good practice including:
- the learning environment
- educational resources
- school attendance
- achieving educational goals
- partnership working with school
- advocating for your child
- the PEP
Session slides and a certificate will be provided, and the training marked as complete, once your evaluation form is returned.
Dates
- Tuesday 20 May 2025, 6:30pm to 8pm
- Thursday 6 November 2025, 12:30pm to 2pm
- Tuesday 19 May 2026, 6:30pm to 8pm
Governor training
Target audience: Nominated governors for looked-after and previously looked-after children, interested governors and chairs.
Description: The importance of governors advocating for looked-after and previously looked-after children, as well as how to support and challenge the designated teacher.
The processes and policies associated with looked-after and previously looked-after children, including pupil premium plus.
Session slides and a certificate will be provided, and the training marked as complete, once your evaluation form is returned.
Dates
- Tuesday 13 May 2025, 6:30pm to 8:30pm
- Tuesday 2 December 2025, 2pm to 4pm
- Tuesday 12 May 2026, 6:30pm to 8:30pm
New to the role of designated teacher for looked-after and previously looked-after children
Target audience: Designated teachers, new to role, for looked-after and previously looked-after children at statutory school age. If your education setting is for Early Years or Post-16, please contact [email protected] and an officer will contact you directly for support at this phase.
Description: Requirements of the Designated Teacher to fulfil their role effectively for looked-after and previously looked-after children including:
- voice of the child
- pupil premium plus
- raising awareness and staff training
- SEN
- mental health
- partnership working
- admissions
Session slides and a certificate will be provided, and the training marked as complete, once your evaluation form is returned.
Dates
- Thursday 18 September 2025, 2pm to 4pm
- Wednesday 14 January 2026, 2pm to 4pm
- Tuesday 5 May 2026, 2pm to 4pm
Parents and guardians of previously looked after children
Promoting the education of previously looked-after children
Target audience: Parents and guardians of children from reception to Year 11 who were previously in state care and:
- have been adopted, or
- made subject to special guardianship or child arrangements order
If your child is outside this age range, you are welcome to attend.
Description: How parents or guardians can work with schools to support their child's education. It explores the duties of schools regarding previously looked-after children and advises on how parents or guardians can best advocate in their child’s interest. This includes:
- best practice recommendations given to schools
- the importance of building positive relationships with schools
- the Virtual School’s role
- the educational achievement of previously looked-after children
- how Pupil Premium works for previously looked-after children
- information sharing
- school admission arrangements
- special educational needs
- choosing a good school
- managing challenging behaviour in schools
A copy of the session slides will be sent to you once your evaluation form is returned.
Dates
- Tuesday 17 June 2025, 6:30pm to 8:30pm
- Wednesday 26 November 2025, 12:30pm to 2:30pm
- Tuesday 16 June 2026, 6:30pm to 8:30pm
PEP quality training
Target audience: School staff and social workers of statutory school aged children with access to North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire PEPs. If your education setting is for Early Years or Post-16, please contact [email protected] and an officer will contact you directly for support at this phase
Description: The expectations for a high-quality PEP, details about each section and examples of good and poor-quality practice.
Session slides and a certificate will be provided, and the training marked as complete, once your evaluation form is returned.
Dates
Refresher designated teacher training
Target audience: Experienced designated teachers for looked-after and previously looked-after children at statutory school age. If your education setting is for Early Years or Post-16, please contact [email protected] and an officer will contact you directly for support at this phase.
Description: The requirements of the designated teacher to fulfil their role effectively for looked-after and previously looked-after children including:
- voice of the child
- pupil premium plus
- raising awareness and staff training
- SEN
- mental health
- partnership working
- admissions
Session slides and a certificate will be provided, and the training marked as complete, once your evaluation form is returned.
Dates
Social care and Virtual School partnership working
Target audience: Social workers of children in care within Northamptonshire Children's Trust.
Description: How social workers can effectively promote the education of looked-after children through partnership working with the Virtual School including:
- think parent
- school moves and applications
- special Educational Needs and EHC plans
- good communication with school
- non-mainstream schools
- the PEP
Session slides and a certificate will be provided, and the training marked as complete, once your evaluation form is returned.
Dates
- Thursday 12 June 2025, 2pm to 3:30pm
- Wednesday 19 November 2025, 2pm to 3:30pm
- Thursday 11 June 2026, 2pm to 3:30pm
Last updated 09 May 2025