Cumbria County Council has announced that it has appointed Jane Fallon as its new Virtual School Headteacher.
Jane begins her new role on Monday 6th January 2020 and replaces the retiring Virtual School Headteacher, Penny Crudge, who leaves the council after 16 years.
Commenting on her appointment, Jane Fallon said: “I am delighted to begin working in Cumbria as the Virtual School Headteacher and am looking forward to building on all the positive work already going on.
“I’ve had such a warm welcome and I look forward to getting out and about in the New Year to meet more people and organisations, and most of all doing our best for the children and young people we support.”
Penny Crudge, Virtual School Headteacher, said: “I’d like to thank everyone in Cumbria who has made my time here enjoyable. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with such kind, caring and dedicated people who always put children and young people at the centre of everything they do.
“I’m retiring after 16 fantastic years in Cumbria and I wish Jane and all the team the very best.”
Cumbria County Council’s Virtual School acts as a local authority champion to bring about improvements in the education of children and young people who are looked after, promoting their educational achievement as if they were in a single school. The Virtual School also offers advice and information to parents of children who have previously been in care.
The Virtual School supports children and young people who are looked after from the Early Years Foundation Stage (4 year olds) up to 18 years old. They ensure that all children looked after gain swift access to appropriate educational provision, and that they are well supported to make good progress, and participate in activities to gain the skills and qualifications needed to make a successful step into adult life.
Cllr Sue Sanderson, Cabinet Member for Schools and Learning, said: “This is such an important role and I’m delighted Jane will be taking it on. The Virtual School provides that extra support to ensure that our looked after children and young people are able to reach their full potential at school and beyond.
“We know that looked after children often have additional challenges in their lives, and the Virtual School is one of the ways we help children overcome them. I would of course like to wish Penny a happy and healthy retirement. She has been an excellent head teacher who has helped the Virtual School go from strength to strength and I wish her all the best.”
