Harrow's Virtual School is celebrating academic achievements that surpass national averages, according to a summer term report presented at the Corporate Parenting Panel meeting on Monday, 30 June 2025. However, the school faces ongoing challenges, including reducing suspensions and supporting young people facing NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) issues. Persistent Absence (PA) is also a concern, with a rate of 28% (22/79), exceeding the England average of 20.8%.
The Virtual School, which supports children looked after (CLA) in the borough, reported that pupils achieved higher scores in several key areas compared to their peers nationally. These include Attainment 8, Good English and Maths GCSEs, and participation in education, employment, or training (EET) at Key Stage 5.
Specifically, the report highlighted that Harrow CLA pupils scored 49% in Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling, significantly above the national average of 13%. Additionally, 20% of Harrow CLA achieved good English and Maths GCSEs, exceeding the national average of 18%. At Key Stage 5, 84% of CLA participated in EET, compared to the national figure of 70% for CLA aged 16 to 18. Furthermore, 15% of care leavers from Harrow attend university, which is higher than the national average of 13%.
The Virtual School Headteacher's report also included data on CLA attendance, which was generally better than national averages. Overall absence was at 7.2% (national average 8.8%), persistent absence at 15.2% (national average 20.8%), permanent exclusions at 0% (national average 0.1%), and suspensions at 10.7% (national average 13.7%).
The Virtual School supports all Children Looked After (CLA) with their education, including the 20 CLA with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), and other CLA who have additional needs but do not have an EHCP. A previous meeting highlighted that 41% (14/34) of children with an EHCP had social, emotional, and mental health needs as their primary need.
The panel also discussed the Virtual School's partnership with the Attachment and Research Community (ARC). Seven Harrow schools are now ARC members, allowing them to share best practices with other ARC schools nationwide. Schools participating in the ARC programme have reported a reduction in suspensions and permanent exclusions. A regional conference is scheduled for 3 July for participating schools to attend. This initiative aims to create more attachment and trauma-aware learning environments, ultimately benefiting the most vulnerable students.
The Corporate Parenting Panel reviewed the Virtual School Summer Term Report, acknowledging the positive outcomes and ongoing efforts to support children looked after in Harrow. The Agenda frontsheet for the meeting is available online.