Categories:
Headteachers and Designated Teachers

Designated Teachers' Newsletter

Dear Colleagues,

Please see attached for the second Designated Teacher update of 2025/26 (pdf, 497kb) from Oxfordshire’s Virtual School. This termly publication aims to provide updates, signposts, useful strategies and ideas to support the work of Designated Teachers for children we care for and previously cared for children. Do pass on, print and display, as appropriate.

Designated Teacher Practice Day – STILL PLACES AVAILABLE!

Please do join us for our upcoming Designated Teacher Practice Day on Wednesday 28 January, 9:30am–3:30pm at the Westgate Collaboration Space, Oxford. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with colleagues, explore the latest developments in the Ofsted framework and Virtual School duties, and reflect on how we can work together to achieve the best outcomes for children we care for.

The day will include shared learning, discussion of key themes from the recent annual conference and practical planning for the term ahead. Don’t miss out on this valuable chance to share ideas, ask questions and strengthen your professional network – more information and how to book contained in the attached newsletter!

NEW DTs

Induction training is essential for new DTs. Our next in-person training session takes place on Wednesday 18 March. This training is targeted at DTs working with children in Early Years, Primary and Secondary settings. If you are a Post-16 provider, please contact mark.walker@oxfordshire.gov.uk (Virtual School Post-16 Phase Lead) as our Post-16 team can provide personalised training for you. As this is a few months away, Virtual School Caseworkers can support in the meantime. Don’t hesitate to ask.

2025 Virtual School Conference

We were delighted to see so many of you at our conference on Thursday 16 October. For those of you who were unable to attend, find a summary of the highlights and takeaways in the attached newsletter. We hope to be able to share the date for 2026 conference in our Term 3 newsletter.

2025-26 Virtual School Training and Support Offer

Our comprehensive 2025-26 Virtual School Training and Support Offer is free and available for booking via the Education Services website.

We look forward to your participation in these events and training sessions. Do share our training offer with other members of staff who might benefit.

We are here to support…

Don’t suffer in silence. If you have any questions relating to children we care for or previously cared for children, please don’t hesitate to contact us (virtualschool@oxfordshire.gov.uk). We are here to help!

Thank you for all that you do to ensure the best possible outcomes for our children and young people, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people. What we do to improve outcomes for our care-experienced children and young people can’t be achieved alone – we’re in this together!

We hope 2025 ends positively and that you have a wonderful break. We look forward to what we will achieve together in 2026!

All best wishes,
Oxfordshire Virtual School