Agenda item

The Southwark Virtual School Head presented her report to the committee.

The following points/questions were raised:

·  Internal exclusions. The virtual school head explained issues relating to this and the ‘stigma’ than can be created within the school for the students. Work takes places with many different schools to tackle internal and external exclusions, with focus on schools where this seems to happen repeatedly

·  Measures in place include daily attendance monitoring, monthly attendance panels and close contact with personal advisers

·  Southwark Inclusive Learning Service (SILS) and conference of head teachers due to take place that will be dealing with this issue

·  Mental health issues general and alexithymia diagnosis (when cannot express how feel), which can arise from childhood trauma; an issue to be considered in this area

·  Query on basis or reasons for fixed term exclusions. Explained as a tool for teaching staff to ensure students are well behaved and ‘afraid’ to be excluded

·  Based on the view that no child should be excluded what can be done to support and mitigate students in this situation ?

·  Query on work with schools and best way to support the young person who may be in danger and to ensure their needs are met

·  Role of intervention and counselling for children discussed to avoid and mitigate to avoid exclusions. The virtual head teacher was able to explain the funding limitations for this ongoing support, but confirmed the joint working and funding between the different agencies to facilitate when required

·  A foster carer was able to share their experience of working closely with the school when these issues arose and the positive results that this intervention brought.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the report from Southwark Virtual School in response to the request for an overview of the work of Southwark Virtual School, including data in relation to fixed term and permanent exclusions of Children in Care of London Borough of Southwark be noted.

2.  That a further report back be received after the next Southwark Virtual school annual report order to monitor the data for exclusions.