Creating and maintaining an inclusive school environment is crucial for fostering a positive and effective learning community. It is why, at Highfield, we prioritise diversity, equity, and belonging, ensuring that all of our pupils, regardless of their backgrounds, abilities, or differences, feel valued and supported. We are committed to supporting looked after children and prioritising their well-being, academic success, and overall development. If you are the parent or carer of a Looked After Child and you would like for them to join the Highfield School community, please contact the school office and ask to speak to the Headteacher and the Designated Teacher for Children Looked After. They can provide support and guidance with the admissions process and the needs of your child and your family. Please visit our Admissions page by clicking here for more information.

The Virtual School and the Admissions Team at Leeds City Council will also be able to help with the admissions process, you can find out more on the Leeds webpage here. To read the Department for Education’s statutory guidance for Promoting the education of lookedafter children and previously lookedafter children, please see here.

As a school we take huge pride in the personal development of our pupils. For more information about our offer you may wish to read the following pages:

Respect, Equality and Diversity at Highfield (incl. Equalities Policy)

Curriculum Enrichment at Highfield

Personal, Social and Health Education (P.S.H.E.) and Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED)

In addition, our Inclusion Team work with parents and carers to provide support and are always available.

Who are Looked After Children?

Leeds City Council definition: ‘A looked after child is a child or young person up to their 18th birthday who is either accommodated by, or, in the care of the local authority. Accommodated means that the local authority has provided accommodation usually with the parent/s consent (under section 20 Children Act 1989). A child is described as being in care when a legal order is made such as an Interim or Full Care Order (under section 31 Children Act 1989) or Emergency Protection Order and the parents or those with parental responsibility (PR) may or may not have provided consent.

Who are Post Looked After Children?

A previously looked after child is a child who was in care as per the definition above, and then left care through either an adoption order (AO), special guardianship order (SGO) or child arrangement order (CAO). Some children may be living under a SGO or CAO but not have met the criteria for having previously been looked after. Highfield Primary School offer a wide range of support for the children and familes of Post Looked After Children. It is the responsibility of the parent or carer to let us know that their child is post looked after on the Admissions Forms but this would usually be discussed when a family first approach the school for a place.

We are always grateful to know as much as we possibly can about a child and their family background so that we can ensure the best level of support. This applies to all children who we welcome to our school.

The Virtual School

The Virtual School works alongside our school to monitor a child’s attendance, attainment and achievement and makes sure that looked after children’s educational is a top priority in their care planning from the age of 3 to 18 and beyond to give them the best opportunity to be successful in their adult lives. We work with the child or young person’s carer, social worker and the virtual school along with any other outside agencies  to develop a personal education plan or PEP. The PEPs are closely monitored and are reviewed on a very regular basis.

Funding for Children Looked After

There is additional funding to support children who are looked after, Pupil Premium Plus, which is administered by the Virtual School. For children who were previously looked after, we are able to  access this funding directly via Leeds City Council as long as we have the information we require.

The Designated Teacher and Governor

All schools must appoint a designated teacher, responsible for:

• promoting education and raising staff awareness for looked after children
• ensuring the effective use of Pupil Premium Plus
• promoting inclusive schooling and high expectations

The Designated Teacher at Highfield Primary School is Mrs Dalgliesh, who is also the school inclusion lead and SENDCo. Mrs Dalgliesh can be contacted by calling the school office on 0113 2930155 or emailing senco@highfield.leeds.sch.uk. Mrs Cathryn Magyar is the Governor responsible for Children Looked After and can be contacted via the school office.