Promoting the education of looked-after children and
previously looked-after children

What are you looking for?

Local authorities have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of any child looked after by them.

This includes a particular duty to promote the child’s educational achievements

The National Association of Virtual School Heads exists to improve educational outcomes for looked after children by working with partners and commissioning research to ensure that the educational needs of looked after children are better understood. All local authorities in England are required to have a Virtual School Head.

Work with us

Expressions of Interest

News

Continuing funding for Virtual Schools is confirmed at NAVSH Conference

March 24, 2022

Future funding has been confirmed for virtual schools by Children’s…

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NAVSH and the new duties

November 26, 2021

Following the announcement in July 2021 that the role of…

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Virtual school head role extension to children with a social worker

June 17, 2021

Supporting note from NAVSH Virtual School Headteachers have been looking…

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Rt Hon Gavin Williamson responds to letter from Become / NAVSH about 2020 exams results

December 14, 2020

Katharine Sacks-Jones, Chief Executive, Become Jancis Andrew, Chair, National Association…

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Research

Supporting the education and well-being of children who are looked-after: what is the role of the virtual school?

By Jane Pickthall | February 3, 2019

The Caring University in 2016

By Jane Pickthall | July 19, 2016

The National Association of Virtual School Heads is a charity set up and run by a Board of Virtual School Heads to improve educational outcomes for looked after children by working with partners and commissioning research to ensure that the educational needs of looked after and previously looked after children are better understood.

Our Charitable Aims are:

  • Advance education for the public benefit in the care and education of looked after and previously looked after children and care leavers by the undertaking of research for the public benefit and the dissemination of the useful results thereof.
  • To promote the care and education of looked after children, previously looked after children and care leavers in particular, but not exclusively by, the provision of education and training for those employed in provision of care for looked after children.