Shropshire Virtual School Resources and links
Time for You
Time for You is for school staff who would like a reflective space to have a conversation about supporting a young person with their education. This is available for young people in care to Shropshire or who were previously looked after, and they attend your school.
Time can be booked with Dr. Eleanor Tomlinson (CPsychol, D.Ed.Psych, BSc Hons chartered educational and child psychologist) and the conversation is led by you
It is objective, safe and only the child’s first name is used for previously looked after young people. The safe space enables you to discuss your authentic feelings, thoughts and concerns around supporting this young person, and gives time to considering possible ways of moving forward with them.
Speech, language and communication needs (SLCN)
Shropshire Virtual School are working with Amica SL&CC to bring you a service to enhance SLCN support for our looked after children in year groups 2 to 11.
If you would like to have support in this way please complete the referral form and return to virtualschool@shropshire.gov.uk.
This service is available to schools/settings and provides access to assessment in order to help address speech and language barriers. Where there is significant impact on children’s learning and development then there is the potential for delivery of speech and language therapy.
It is advisable to seek a consultation with the Speech and Language Therapy Advice Line as a first point of call. Their advice may mean that your school can put some teaching and learning strategies or interventions in place straight away without the need for assessment at this point in time.
Advice Line
The Speech and Language Advice Line is available to parents and carers of children currently on our caseloads, those referred and those not known to the service. School staff or other professionals can also seek support but can only access the Advice Line regarding a specific child with explicit parental permission. New referrals and re-referrals made by families of children and young people will be directed to the Advice Line. You can contact the Speech and Language Therapy Advice Line on 01743 450800 (option 4).
Shropshire Music Service
Shropshire Virtual School works closely with the Music Service, and our headteacher is a member of the Music Board. We can use Pupil Premium+ to fund lessons for our looked-after children, and if this is something of interest please contact the child’s virtual school link worker or email us at virtualschool@shropshire.gov.uk.
January 2023 update
Shropshire Music Service is launching its new set of ensembles for 2023 from January, with a wide range of ensembles at various locations throughout the county. All ensembles are free-of-charge and are open to all children and young people.
The new ensembles feature a youth choir and an advanced show choir, a training and a youth orchestra, plus a big band, a world folk ensemble and the ever-popular beginner group, Stompers, now delivered at four locations throughout the county.
Find out more about the entire offer, along with instructions on how to sign up.
Letterbox
The Letterbox report for 2023 found that:
- Children enjoy and value Letterbox Club. 96% of children say they like or love Letterbox Club
- Children like the books they are given. 86% of children say they like or love the books in their parcels
- Children report that they read more because of Letterbox Club. 68% of children say they’re reading more on their own after receiving Letterbox Club parcels
Research shows that children who choose to read and who read regularly...
- Are happier and healthier
- They form stronger bonds and relationships
- They do better at school and are more creative
- They enjoy more success in life
We hope the Letterbox club report provides you with the most up-to-date evidence of impact that Letterbox Club parcels have for children who receive them.
What's on at our libraries?
Library collections
Let’s Get Ready Bags to Borrow:
The 4 titles in the bag have been chosen specially by professional librarians. The books explore daily routines and early first experiences and will help young children deal with change and overcome worries as well as prepare them for the next inevitable step – going to school.
Contents:
- The Koala Who Could by Rachel Bright
- Getting Ready (Tactile book) by Child’s Play
- I’m Ready for School! by Ladybird
- Zeki Gets a Check Up by Anna McQuinn
- Information sheets for parents/carers
Reading Well Collections - Books on Prescription for CYP
Collections are held in libraries in Shropshire. Some titles available in our e-library
Reading Well for Children (9-11yrs) – Launching Feb 2020
COVID for Children Booklists – developed by the Reading Agency and library professionals – not all titles are held in Shropshire Libraries
Special Situations
Books to support children and their families to deal with topics such as bereavement, divorce, illness etc.
Hi-Lo Collections
Books with high interest, low reading levels ideal for older children lacking in reading confidence.
Quick Reads
Short new books written by best-selling authors – ideal for YP who are discovering reading for pleasure for the first time as well as for regular readers wanting a fast and satisfying read.
e-library
- Fiction, Non-Fiction, audio books
- Newspapers
- Magazines
Audiobooks – including e-audiobooks
Dyslexia Collections
Large Print
Graphic novels
Picture Books for older children
Puzzle books
Poetry
Non-fiction
Kooth
Kooth is a free online counselling and emotional well-being platform for children and young people accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop. It can be accessed through the computers within the libraries or on their own device using the free WIFI available in all libraries. Library staff have been trained to assist with the accessing of the website.
Library visits
Tailored to individual or group interests and need – please get in touch with the Branch Manager of nearest library
Empathy day
Activities and suggested titles to encourage empathy through reading. Booklists for primary and secondary schools available through Empathy Lab.
Summer reading challenge
A summer holiday reading challenge open to everyone. Many creative activities based on the theme are offered
Exhibition Space
Many libraries have space to display children’s work. This will need to be booked in advance through the Branch Manager.
Autism Awareness
We have online social stories available to view through the website - for each branch library to see the layout and journey through the building.
Volunteering and work experience opportunities
Secondary aged children can volunteer regularly in libraries or spend a week for work experience.
- Visit our e-library webpage to find out more about e-books, e-audio, e-newspapers and e-magazines
WMVS Children in Care Foundation
Shropshire Virtual School are part of the West Midlands Children in Care Foundation – please read more about what is available on the WMVS Children in Care website.
Check out the WMVS Children in Care Foundation YouTube channel and watch @jazampawfarr tell you her story! We all have a story and Jaz will help unlock our young people's potential so their story is a successful one.
Shropshire Family Information Directory
Find out what is available for families in Shropshire – for example on subjects such as childcare, health and well-being support and ‘things to do’.
Links to other training
AC Education training
Shropshire Virtual School has a number of AC Education online training courses that are available free to schools. Please see the AC Schools Education flyer for more information, and if you'd like to request access to any of the courses please email us at virtualschool@shropshire.gov.uk.
AC Education has also launched a YouTube channel with some of its trainers, providing free webinars to support parents, carers and school staff.
The Attachment Research Community
The Attachment Research Community is a charitable organisation set up in 2017.
Through the ARC network, conferences, regional events, annual awards, early education resources and development planning tools, ARC supports members to develop and embed their practice.
Learning resources and ideas
Joe Wicks PE lessons
Joe Wicks' PE lessons are available from 9am-10am every day on YouTube.
Maths resources
- Take a look at the 'NRICH' maths resources
- The IXL website offers maths resources for reception to year 13
- My Maths offers interactive maths learning for your whole school
Chatterpack
Chatterpack offers a home learning resources list for schools and families.
BBC Bitesize
BBC Bitesize has learning resources for adults, children and parents. Find videos and audio clips by level, subject and topic.
Late primary and secondary resources
- Ted Talks offer fun, informative & captivating talks to inspire young minds
- Curiosity Stream offers thousands of documentaries
- National Geographic Kids offers amazing facts about animals, science, history and geography, along with fun competitions, games and more
The Oak National Academy
Made by teachers, for every teacher and pupil. Over 100,000 free video lessons and resources.
Virtual School Library
The Virtual School Library is brought to you by Oak National Academy in partnership with the National Literacy Trust.
National Literacy Trust
Every week a popular children's author or illustrator will provide you with free books, exclusive videos and their top three recommended reads. Free reading and writing activities from your favourite children’s authors from the National Literacy Trust.
Energize
Read more about our partnership with Energize and the impact of the support they give our young people.