All Looked after Children who attend Cheney School are supported by a Designated Teacher, the Head of Student Progress and Pastoral Leader, who are dedicated to ensuring the well-being and educational inclusion of students who are looked after. This support is delivered through a package that accompanies the students throughout their school years at Cheney; this is known as a Personal Education Plan (PEP).
Looked after Children refers to all our young people whose life circumstances mean that they live with foster carers, including those students who have arrived in the UK as unaccompanied asylum seeking children. These students are additionally supported by the English as an Additional Language (EAL) department to maximise their development of English.
The PEP for each Looked After Child at Cheney is an evolving programme of specialised support that is reviewed each term, and adjusted according to the requirements of each individual student and in line with their on-going progression and achievements. The PEP is a bespoke programme of support that is planned alongside the young person and all other significant key adults who are involved and responsible for the welfare and education of LAC.
This PEP integrates some of the following: small group tuition to aid academic achievement, personal incentivised targets, mentoring, pastoral support and guidance, help with decisions affecting life choices such as careers and work experience and involvement in extracurricular activities.
Through the Personal Education Plan for our Looked After Children, government funding known as Pupil Premium is allocated by the school to assist with activities and learning to ensure the these students benefit from and access the same advantages as other young people and ensure full integration into school life and education.
The focus of our support to these students is to maximise personal, social and emotional well-being and educational achievement. A holistic and positive approach is taken to supporting these students, to ensure the well-being and education of this group of young people. This ensures engagement within extracurricular activities that are positive for social and personal well-being. The focus of the support provided to looked after children is to overcome any barriers to learning due to personal circumstances, to ensure that they benefit from full inclusion in school life and education, and to aim for the most positive outcomes for these young people.