Sandwell Virtual School Newsletter

🌿 Year 6 Residential at Edgmond Hall 🌿

In July, nine of our Year 6 pupils set off on a three-night adventure to Edgmond Hall! The trip was packed with activities designed to help them prepare for the exciting move to secondary school.

From team-building games and outdoor challenges to creative workshops, the children developed their confidence, communication, and teamwork skills — and had plenty of fun along the way.

A special highlight was visiting the Jackfield Tile Museum in Ironbridge, where each pupil designed and made their very own ceramic tile. Once fired and delivered back to school, they looked absolutely fantastic!

It was a wonderful few days filled with teamwork, creativity, and new adventures — memories we’re sure they’ll treasure for years to come.

🎪 West Midlands Virtual School Regional Event at Forge Mill Farm 🎪

The West Midlands Virtual Schools hosted a fantastic Regional Event at Forge Mill Farm this August, bringing families together for a day full of fun, creativity, and laughter.

The highlight of the day was the Farmyard Circus, where visitors were amazed by incredible juggling, balancing, and acrobatic skills.

After the show, young people took part in a range of exciting “Give It a Go” workshops, including circus skills, creative arts, drumming, and professional theatre makeup sessions.

Families also enjoyed exploring the farm, meeting and feeding the animals, and relaxing together in the sunshine.

It was a truly fun-filled family day, celebrating creativity, confidence, and community — a memorable event for everyone who attended!

🏆Celebrating Success at Sandwell Virtual School🏆

We recently hosted a Celebration Evening for the children we care for at West Bromwich Albion Football Ground, with over 200 guests in attendance.

This special event recognised our young people who have:
✅ Reached national educational benchmarks for their key stages
✅ Achieved 100% attendance
✅ Excelled in distinct award categories:

• Community Champion
• Positive Role Model
• Inspirational and Outstanding Progress Award
• Creative Hero

Our evening was made even more memorable by the presence of distinguished guests from across Sandwell and a musical performance from the Children We Care For band, Ignite!

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this event a success and to our young people for their incredible achievements.

🎙️Finding Our Voice Through Podcasting 🎙️

Recently, some of our young people attended a Podcast Workshop hosted by the West Midlands Virtual Schools — and it was an unforgettable experience!

From brainstorming ideas to recording in a real booth, the sessions gave everyone a chance to share their passions and stories. For many, speaking into the microphone was a turning point — conversations became thoughtful, respectful, and connected.

One moment that stood out? A quiet boy who rarely spoke in class recorded a podcast about dreams. His confidence soared, and his voice truly shone.

🎧 “There’s something about that microphone that gives them permission to take up space.”

Thank you to WMVS for creating such an inspiring opportunity!

📚 Sandwell Virtual School – Designated Teacher Training Day📚

In November, Sandwell Virtual School welcomed 49 delegates to its training event for Designated Teachers and Designated Safeguarding Leads at West Bromwich Albion.

⭐ Highlights

Attendees praised the day as “informative, knowledgeable and excellent,” with all DTs agreeing the objectives were fully met.

🎤 Guest Speakers

• Sarah Bailey (NeuroDIVE): Shared expertise on building inclusive, neurodiverse environments.

• Richard Hipkiss: Introduced EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing).

• Rosa De Silva: Spoke on Protected Characteristics.

• Scott Johnson: Discussed Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

🎉 A Great Success

A valuable and engaging day for all involved—thank you to everyone who attended and contributed!

☕Breakfast Briefing for Professionals☕

On Wednesday 12th November, Sandwell Virtual School hosted a Breakfast Briefing at the Hollies for Social Workers working with vulnerable children.

We were delighted to welcome representatives from schools and SCT. The session explored the role of the Virtual School in supporting children with a social worker, alongside updates from the SEN and Attendance services.

It was a highly collaborative morning, with professionals sharing experiences and learning from key speakers.

We look forward to hosting the next briefing in the Spring term!

Dear Parents, Carers and Colleagues,

I have written many letters home to parents/carers and colleagues in the past 11 years, but this is without doubt the most difficult of them all. It is with great sadness that I inform you I will not be returning as Headteacher of STEPS and Sandwell Virtual School in January 2026. I am deeply saddened to be leaving; I can say with complete honesty that this has been the most rewarding role I have ever had the privilege to hold. Serving our children and adults, who are full of compassion and care, has been an honour that has touched me deeply and shaped me both personally and professionally.

I have so many things to be grateful for; not many Headteachers have the experience of having an entire staff team that they love working with. They have embraced my vision and work extremely hard to give the best they can for our communities. They make it a joy to come into work each day, and I will miss the strong sense of togetherness we have built. At times we have had our challenges, but with determination and calm we have managed to support each other and emerge stronger, always keeping each other and our children at the heart of every decision we make. I will truly miss you all.

Although I am sad to be leaving, I am excited about the future and the next chapter. To our children I say: don’t let anything stop you from chasing your dreams, and to the staff and colleagues I have been so fortunate to work with, may you continue to grow, flourish and inspire everyone you serve. I will miss you all.

Balwant Bains

Executive Headteacher

Sandwell Virtual School and STEPS

🌟 Farewell & Best Wishes to Balwant Bains!🌟

📌 End-of-Term Announcement!

As you have now been made aware, Balwant Bains will be leaving us at the end of this term. While we are all sad to see him go, we are equally thrilled that he leaves on a high note—having been part of the successful inspection of the Children’s Trust and the Children and Education Directorate that has now been rated as Good!

The entire Virtual School team would like to take this opportunity to wish Balwant every success in the next chapter of his career—and plenty of enjoyment in his well-earned free time!

With our warmest thanks and best wishes,

The Virtual School Team

💻EPEP TRAINING 2025 /2026💻

For Designated Teachers and Social Workers

This training takes place via Teams, to book your place please email: Michelle_geer1@sandwell.gov.uk

For up-to-date events that are happening, please take a look at the school calendar on the Sandwell Virtual School Website.

Direct link is here: https://sandwellvirtualschool.sch.life/Page/Calendar📅

A reminder for Designated Teachers to inform Sandwell Virtual School of any changes - For an update form, please email Michelle_Geer1@sandwell.gov.uk