This website is a one stop portal for children and young people who are Looked After (Care Experienced), parents and carers and professionals working with our Looked After children. It is a place to access information, advice and guidance on education supports, share best practice and gain a complete picture of the multi-agency work which goes on in support of our Looked After Children.
The Virtual School acts as a local authority champion to bring about improvements in the education of our Looked After (Care Experienced) children and to promote their educational achievement as if they were in a single school. Ensuring that they receive a high quality education is the foundation for improving their lives.
The school does not exist in real terms, or as a building. Children do not attend it - they remain the responsibility of the school at which they are enrolled. Virtual School Aberdeen is simply an organisational tool which has been created for the effective co-ordination of support for this vulnerable group at a strategic and operational level.
Virtual School Aberdeen comprises of a Headteacher and an Education Support Officer. We are supported by colleagues in social work, the third sector, the Central Education and a Looked After Children’s Nurse.
Larissa took up post of Virtual School Head Teacher in November 2015. This post is the first of its kind in Scotland and demonstrates the commitment of Aberdeen City Council to its Looked After (Care Experienced) Children. Before taking up this post, Larissa was Depute Head at Oldmachar Academy in Aberdeen. She brings with her a wealth of experience in learning and teaching, curriculum design, leadership and management and pastoral care.
As a Depute Head, she developed effective partnerships with a range of organisations and businesses, implemented procedures to raise achievement and attainment and successfully supported children and families. Whilst a DHT Larissa was appointed as Aberdeen City Council's representative for School Leaders Scotland (SLS) which enables her to keep abreast of the latest developments in Scottish education.
Larissa is passionate about young people being supported to succeed in all aspects of their life. As lead corporate parent for education she aims to make sure that Looked After (Care Experienced) Children and Young People have the same opportunities as their peers who are not Looked After (Care Experienced) to benefit from high quality education through Curriculum for Excellence, including progression to further and higher education. Through an effective multi-agency and strategically co-ordinated approach she aims to level the playing field for our Looked After (Care Experienced) Children in Aberdeen City.
Larissa Gordon
Virtual School Headteacher
Inclusion Team
Education and Children's Services
Aberdeen City Council
Business Hub 13
Marischal College
Aberdeen
AB10 1AB
01224 523580
lagordon@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Elaine joined the Virtual School in November 2019 having worked across a range of school provisions in secondary Guidance & Pupil Support, residential, Additional Support Needs and alternative provision schools.
01224 523156
elalaw@aberdeencity.gov.uk