If you had asked me yesterday what a Virtual School was, I’d have said it was for children learning remotely. Today, I know better. A Virtual School is a dedicated team working to improve educational outcomes for children in care, previously in care, and those with social workers.
At the University of Sussex’s Breaking Barriers conference on a gloriously warm day in June I joined school leaders, designated safeguarding leads, and care-experienced young people to explore how we can better support the most disadvantaged children in our classrooms.
Trauma, Labels, and Relationships – Luke Lording from Mile Oak Primary reminded us of the trauma many children carry and the transformative power of getting it right for the most vulnerable. His school is working to move away from labels—understanding how damaging they can be—and is prioritising relational communication and restorative approaches over punishment. This echoed strongly with our work at Capa, where families often face the consequences of punitive systems that fail to understand behaviour as communication.
Beyond the Data – Laura Fairbank of Varndean Secondary spoke about the need to see beyond data and connect with students through language and empathy. Their school’s “no shouting” policy and focus on relationship-building struck a chord. Validating a student’s struggle to simply show up is powerful—it lays the foundation for connection and belonging, which can ripple into home life.
Zero Exclusions and a New Perspective – Mary Ried from Patcham Secondary shared their school’s remarkable journey: zero exclusions since 2018! “Behaviour is relative to how you view it,” she said, a truth we at Capa know all too well. The way professionals perceive children’s actions can either entrench cycles of harm or open doors to change.
The Power of One – Keynote speaker Fatima Whitbread, a former child in care, spoke movingly about the adult who changed her life and the lesson of giving others what they need. Gemma Creamer, CEO of Lawyers Who Care, shared how even one supportive person at a pivotal time can alter a child’s trajectory.
Ending with Purpose – The day closed with staff from Varndean and West Blatchington reinforcing the key messages: early intervention, safety, understanding and above all, relationships.
At Capa, we see daily how hard families fight to get schools to recognise their child’s needs. School avoidance, anxiety, and distress aren’t just behaviours; they’re signals. Today reminded me that there are people in education who get it and who want to listen, change, and support our children differently.
I left with renewed hope. Hope that this isn’t just a conversation, but the start of a shift. If we can build empathy into the system, we can build belonging, and for many of the families we support, that could change everything.
— Jane Griffiths, CEO, CAPA First Response CIC
