A SPECIALIST education team is helping turn Thurrock children's lives around.

Thurrock Virtual School has almost 300 children on its books who receive extra educational help in order they don't miss out on a good education because of personal struggles while living in care.

The Virtual School monitors and support the education of looked-after children aged three to 18, developing personal education plans, monitoring children's progress, supporting their behaviours and supporting the rocky transition from primary to secondary school.

A report on the academic year 2023/24 to Thurrock's corporate parenting committee, which will meet on Tuesday, 21 Januaryy, has highlighted how children have been supported.

A Year 7 pupil, who had been exhibiting "concerning behaviour" in his care placement, was refusing to attend school and arriving up to three hours late. The youngster's behaviour deteriorated dramatically and resulted in aggressive behaviour towards a teacher and refusal to follow the headteacher's instructions and was "placing herself at significant risk". The pupil was suspended as a result of this behaviour.

The Virtual School took her under their wing, providing funding for virtual lessons and gradually helping to reduce her anxiety about school. As a result she is now attending school sessions.

A Year 11 Pupil who habitually refused to go to school. The Virtual School applied to schools for the youngster but all refused to provide a place. Finally, the Virtual School wrote to the pupil's nearest Good school saying they would refer the request to the Secretary of State. The school agreed and a "bespoke curriculum" was drawn up for the student, with "positive outcomes". The Virtual School went on to give the student career advice, provide functional exams and secure a place at a local college.

The school is run by Keeley Pullen. In the report to the committee, she said: "At the core, is the aspiration to ensure that children and young people are provided with every opportunity to learn effectively and develop their skills, knowledge and understanding so they are able to make informed choices about their futures from a range of options.

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"This range will be at its widest when children succeed in their schools and are provided with the ambition, resilience and opportunity to optimise their learning within and beyond the school."

The headteacher added: "The Virtual School believes that every child and young person has a right to a childhood and has the right to an education that enhances their life chances as an adult.

"We believe that Children Looked After and Young People should be given every opportunity to aspire to be the best they can."