Barnsley Virtual School

Make the most of your time at school

Your school years are some of the most important of your life.

They're a time for discovery and enjoyment. They're an opportunity to enjoy a range of experiences and unleash your passion for new and wonderful things.

Your time at school will fly by and you'll never get those years back. That's why you need to make the most of every day and grasp every opportunity that comes your way.

Gracy and George are children in care. They've sent us their tips, based on their experience in care, to help you get the most out of school.

If you've got some advice or information you want to share, just send it to us and we'll include it on this page.

Tips from George aged 9

  • Work hard even when you don’t feel like it
  • Ask for help when you don’t understand
  • Your friends can encourage you
  • Play with others - don’t stay by yourself
  • Tell your friends calmly if they do something you don’t like – don’t shout
  • Remember to do your homework
  • Practise reading by reading about things you like
  • Try new things – you don’t know if you can do it if you don’t try
  • Tell your teacher if something's upsetting you
  • Everyone has something they're good at
  • Be kind to others and they'll be kind to you; say sorry when you need to

Tips from Gracy aged 15

  • Look out for others – don’t get too self absorbed
  • Seek out your learning mentor – don’t bottle things up
  • Share your skills – you have more than you think
  • Don’t be afraid to ask – there’s no such thing as a silly question
  • Having a goal is really important
  • It's OK to make mistakes
  • Teachers are there to help

People who can help you

There are lots of people who can support you when you come into care. Don't be scared to talk to any of them if you need help.

People who can help you

Your Termly Personal Education Plan(TPEP)

Your education plan is a really important document. It's based on what you need to help you do as well as you can at school.

Termly Personal Education Plans

Support for your learning

Your education is really important. We'll make sure you get the right support at the right time to help you get the best education you can.

Support for your learning

Your aspirations

Don't think that because you're in care, you can't aim high and fulfil your dreams. We'll encourage you every step of the way.

Your aspirations

Expectations for children in care

We take our role as your corporate parents very seriously.

That's why we have a list of what all our children in care can expect from us. This is to tell you how we'll care for you, make sure you get a good education, help you enjoy life and prepare you for the future. Children in care helped us to write these.

You can look at the expectations for children in care, but we'll give you your own copy when you first come into care. 

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