Walsall Virtual School Training Offer

Training and Professional Development

Walsall Virtual School provides a programme of training and professional development for schools, social workers, foster carers, parents and carers, and other professionals working with children and young people.

Our programme is designed to cover the key areas of Virtual School practice and includes training on PEPs and ePEPs, Pupil Premium Plus, the role of the Designated Teacher, SEND, attendance and inclusion, educational progress, transitions and the needs of children in care, previously looked after children, children with a social worker and children in kinship care.

Our Specialist Support Team delivers trauma-informed training for schools and professionals, providing practical guidance on understanding and responding to the impact of trauma and adverse experiences on learning, behaviour and relationships.

We also provide Care Leaders training, which is available free of charge to all Walsall schools, alongside Designated Teacher training, termly network meetings, briefings and our annual conference.

External speakers and specialist organisations contribute to the programme throughout the year, providing additional expertise on relevant areas of practice.

Training is available for different roles and levels of experience, from staff who are new to their role through to experienced practitioners looking to update or develop their knowledge.

Details of current training, dates and venues can be found below.

Are you new to the role of Designated Teacher for Children in Care and Previously Looked After Children, or would you benefit from a refresher on your responsibilities?

Our New to Role Designated Teacher Training is designed to give you the knowledge, confidence and practical tools you need to carry out this important role effectively.

The session will cover the key responsibilities of the Designated Teacher, including understanding the needs of children in care and previously looked after children, the PEP process, writing high-quality and child-centred PEPs, setting meaningful targets, effective use of Pupil Premium Plus, supporting attendance and progress, and working effectively with carers, social workers and the Virtual School.

We will also explore how attachment, trauma and children’s experiences can affect learning and behaviour, and the important role the Designated Teacher plays in ensuring children feel safe, included and able to succeed in school.

There will be plenty of practical guidance and an opportunity to ask questions, helping you leave the session with a clear understanding of what is expected of you and where to access further advice and support.

This training is particularly recommended for Designated Teachers who are new to the role or who have not previously received formal Designated Teacher training.

Wednesday 23^rd September 2026- 9.30am-11.30am- Microsoft Teams

Wednesday 20^th January 2027- 9.30am-11.30am- Microsoft Teams

Wednesday 9^th June 2027- 9.30am-11.30am- Microsoft Teams

Our termly Designated Teacher Network Meetings provide an opportunity for Designated Teachers to come together, keep up to date with developments and share good practice.

Each meeting will include updates from Walsall Virtual School, information about local and national developments, practical advice and guidance, and a focus on issues that are relevant to children in care and previously looked after children.

We will also invite external speakers and specialist professionals to provide information, resources and practical strategies that Designated Teachers can take back into their schools.

The network is also an important opportunity to connect with other Designated Teachers, share experiences, discuss challenges and learn from what is working well in other schools.

Topics will vary each term and will reflect emerging priorities, changes in guidance and the needs identified by schools and the Virtual School.

We encourage all Designated Teachers to attend our termly network meetings as an important part of their ongoing professional development and their partnership with Walsall Virtual School.

Thursday 5^th November 2026- 9.30am-3.30am – Manor Farm Community Centre

Thursday 4^th March 2027- 9.30am-3.30am – Manor Farm Community Centre

Belong, Believe, Achieve-Walsall Virtual School Annual Conference

Our annual Virtual School Conference brings together Designated Teachers, school leaders and professionals to reflect, learn and consider how we can continue to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of children in care and care-experienced children.

This year’s theme, Belong, Believe, Achieve, will explore the importance of creating educational environments where children feel safe, understood and that they genuinely belong; where adults recognise their strengths and potential; and where high expectations and the right support enable them to achieve.

Throughout the day we will hear from a range of expert speakers and explore key themes including attachment and trauma, belonging and relationships, attendance and inclusion, SEND, emotional wellbeing, raising aspiration and achievement, and the importance of listening and responding to children’s voices.

The conference will combine keynote speakers, practical workshops, examples of effective practice and updates from Walsall Virtual School, providing delegates with ideas and strategies that can be taken back into their own settings.

Thursday 8^th July 2027- 9.30-4.00- Manor Farm Community Centre

Our ePEP training is available for school staff, social workers and foster carers who are involved in supporting the education of children in care.

The session will provide practical guidance on using Walsall’s electronic Personal Education Plan (ePEP) system and help you understand your role and responsibilities within the PEP process.

Training will cover how to access and navigate the ePEP, completing the relevant sections, contributing effectively to the PEP meeting, recording the child’s voice, identifying strengths and areas for development, setting meaningful targets and ensuring that agreed actions and support are clearly recorded.

We will also explore what makes a high-quality, child-centred PEP and how schools, social workers, foster carers and the Virtual School can work together to ensure that the PEP is more than a document – it is an effective plan that supports progress, attendance, wellbeing and educational outcomes.

Whether you are new to the ePEP system, new to your role or would simply benefit from a refresher, this session will provide practical advice and an opportunity to ask questions

Tuesday 6^th October 2026- 3.30pm-5.00pm- Microsoft Teams

Tuesday 9^th February 2027- 3.30pm-5.00pm- Microsoft Teams

Tuesday 4^th May 2027- 3.30pm-5.00pm- Microsoft Teams

This session is aimed at Designated Teachers, school leaders and other staff involved in planning and reviewing the use of Pupil Premium Plus for children in care.

The training will provide an overview of Pupil Premium Plus, including the purpose of the funding, Walsall Virtual School’s arrangements and the responsibilities of schools and the Virtual School.

The session will focus on how Pupil Premium Plus should be linked to the individual needs identified within the child’s PEP and used to support clear educational outcomes.

We will cover:

• identifying need and deciding appropriate use of Pupil Premium Plus
  • linking funding to high-quality PEP targets
  • planning interventions and support
  • understanding what Pupil Premium Plus can and cannot be used for
  • demonstrating the impact of funding
  • reviewing whether interventions are making a difference
  • examples of effective use of Pupil Premium Plus
  • Walsall Virtual School’s expectations and processes.

The session will include practical examples and provide an opportunity to discuss proposed use of funding and ask questions.