What is the Virtual School?
Our Virtual School promotes the education of children and young people in care
The Virtual School is exactly that – virtual! It isn’t a place or a building.
It’s a group of professionals (including a headteacher, teachers and specialists in education welfare) who work with a child or young person in care, as an additional resource to support them and help them get the best outcomes from their school and college years.
We work closely with the school the child attends, a designated teacher at school, the child’s social worker and carer to support them through school or college and to make sure they are getting any help they need.
We also help make sure a child or young person in care has access to other activities that interest them or may help with any career plans.
Designated teachers are specifically trained and support other school staff members to ensure children and young people in care’s particular needs are met and to help them achieve the best results they can.
If you’re a parent, guardian or carer of children who have left care through a permanency order, you can find further advice here: Virtual School Education Advice for Parents and Guardians.
Meet our Virtual School team
The Virtual School is here to support you and to promote children’s continued education while they are looked after. Please contact us about any queries you wish to discuss for children looked after, previously looked after or children with a social worker.
Clare Houlton
Hello, my name is Clare, and I am Headteacher of Reading Virtual School. I have a statutory duty to promote the education of children looked after and children previously looked after. My role includes promoting the education of children with a social worker. It is an absolute joy and privilege to support our children and young people on their educational journey from early years through to post-16 and beyond. I am extremely proud of our children and young people’s achievements, resilience, and determination to succeed.
Being a determined advocate is at the heart of the Virtual School’s work, standing up for children’s rights and helping them feel supported in the areas of their education which matter most to them so they can be confident in their ability, and realise their potential and dreams. Before becoming Headteacher in 2010, I worked in a secondary school as a Deputy Headteacher, Designated Teacher and Designated Safeguard Lead. My teaching subject was PE and dance and I love to play all kinds of sport. My passion is horse riding and supporting Newcastle United Football Club as I am a Geordie!
You can get in touch with me by emailing: clare.houlton@brighterfuturesforchildren.org.
Sarah Cross
Hello, I’m Sarah, Assistant Headteacher for Secondary and Post-16 at Reading Virtual School. I work to ensure that all children looked after are supported to excel in education. My role is to make sure everyone works together to provide the children we support with the right tools to achieve their education goals and aspirations. I started out as an English teacher before joining the Virtual School and I worked for ten years in a specialist provision as assistant head. In my spare time I like to swim, walk and spend time in the countryside.
You can contact me by emailing sarah.cross@brighterfuturesforchildren.org.
Matt Bevan
Hello, my name is Matt. I am the Interim Assistant Headteacher for Early Years and Primary children at Reading Virtual School. My role is to make sure that children who are looked after have the best possible experience in school, are well supported and achieve their educational goals. You might see me at your personal education plan (PEP) meeting where I enjoy hearing your views about school and learning. Before joining the Virtual School I worked in primary schools for 20 years so I know what it’s like for you in school. In my spare time I like to cook, go for walks and support Ipswich Town Football Club.
You can get in touch with me by emailing matt.bevan@brighterfuturesforchildren.org
Lisa Palmer
I am Lisa, the Education Support Officer for Reading’s Virtual School. I try to make sure that children who are looked after enjoy their education and achieve to their full potential. The Virtual School subscribes to Letterbox – a national scheme to enhance young people’s experiences in reading and numeracy. I co-ordinate the Letterbox scheme for Reading. I also attend many personal education plan (PEP) meetings, particularly for Year 6 and Year 7 pupils, to help them have a smooth transition from primary to secondary schools. In the past, I have worked in a special school, the youth service and in a specialist fostering team. In my spare time I enjoy walking and playing tennis.
You can contact me by emailing lisa.palmer@brighterfuturesforchildren.org
Rhiannon Begg
Hello, my name is Rhi and I am the Data, Inclusion and Finance Manager at Reading Virtual School. I help to make sure that adults in school supporting children who are looked after work therapeutically and support our children to have high ambitions for their future. I monitor and challenge attendance and suspensions and also work closely with other teams to make sure children with special educational needs are given the best opportunities. I have always enjoyed working with children and I previously worked as a special needs teacher and an inclusion officer in primary schools. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family in the great outdoors!
You can get in touch with me by emailing rhiannon.begg@brighterfuturesforchildren.org
Bianca James
Hello, my name is Bianca and I am Assistant Headteacher for Children with a Social Worker at Reading Virtual School. I help make sure adults think BIG when it comes to the children that we support as we know that children can achieve amazing things when everyone is working together! I make sure we are listening to children’s views and putting quality support in place to assist them. I help build a strong network of support so children who have a social worker can make excellent educational progress and achieve their goals. I have always enjoyed working with children and I have previously worked as an English teacher. In my spare time I enjoy Zumba and spending time with my family and pets. I have three cats along with a tortoise named Fela.
Get in touch with me by emailing bianca.james@brighterfuturesforchildren.org.
Cathy McCarthy
Hello, I am Cathy McCarthy Education Advisor for children previously looked after and children with a social worker. I am passionate about championing the voices of children in education. I love working with school staff to reflect and problem solve, finding ways to encourage and enthuse each young person to achieve their potential. Before joining the Virtual School I was a primary school teacher, SENDCo and volunteer for SENDIASS.
You can get in touch with me by emailing cathy.mccarthy@brighterfuturesforchildren.org.
