The Virtual School is responsible for promoting the educational achievement of looked after children and previously looked after children. Looked after and previously looked after children start with the disadvantage of their pre-care experiences and. may also have special educational needs. 

All Local Authorities are required to have a Virtual School Headteacher (VSH).The Virtual School is responsible for promoting the educational achievement of looked after children, previously looked after children and other child with a social worker. For each of these cohorts of children, they start with the disadvantage of their early life or pre-care experiences and may also have special educational needs. All Local Authorities are required to have a Virtual School Headteacher (VSH).

For looked after children, as part of the Local Authority’s corporate parent role, the VSH along with the Virtual School team, is the educational advocate that parents are for other children.

For previously looked after children, the VSH will be a source of advice and information to help their parents advocate for them as effectively as possible.

For children with a social worker, the VSH will champion the educational attendance, attainment and progress to help all hold high aspirations for these children.