Virtual School contacts

How and who to contact in the Essex Virtual School Team.

Essex Virtual School Team

Our Essex Virtual School Team is made up of the following team members:

John Edgar - Virtual school head

John leads a team focused on improving educational outcomes for all children in care (CiC) looked after by the local authority.

John makes sure their time in school is the very best it can be and that each learner can achieve their true potential.

 Telephone: 0333 013 7902

Email: john.edgar@essex.gov.uk

Sharon Halsey - PEP and virtual school operational lead

Sharon supports the virtual school’s key priority to make sure every child in care has a high-quality personal education plan (PEP).

Sharon works with designated teachers to make sure each learner’s PEP reflects the quality of support and provision in place at schools.

Sharon’s work makes sure the PEPs in place for every child in care are sufficient to accelerate progress and the provision and resources recorded for all children support them towards achieving their very best in school.

Sharon also makes sure schools receive pupil premium plus (PP+) funding and coordinates all PP+ payments.

Sharon also coordinates training opportunities and works closely with the virtual school head coordinating and managing CiC projects.

Telephone: 0333 032 1200 

Email: sharon.halsey@essex.gov.uk

Christina Addenbrooke - Lead for children with a social worker and previously looked after children

Christina works with educational settings, social care and other agencies to raise aspirations and attainment for all children who have had a social worker.

Christina aims to enhance partnership-working, raise awareness of the challenges these young people can face and promote practice that supports them to be engaged in school and learning so that they can fulfil their potential.

Telephone: 0333 032 0999

Email: christina.addenbrooke@essex.gov.uk

​Children with a Social Worker Team

The Children with a Social Worker team is made up of the following people and roles:

  • ​Susan Kelly - Previously looked after children adviser
  • Hedda Wright - Children with a social worker inclusion officer
  • Tolulope Sawyer - Children with a social worker inclusion officer​​