Croydon Virtual School

Our aim to better the educational and employment outcomes, as well as the life chances, of each and every child who passes through or stays in the care of us.

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Post-16 Team supporting young people

What we do

Our Post 16 Team works with care experienced young people aged 16 to 19 years old (up to 25 years old with an EHCP), their carers, social workers, and a range of other agencies to support raising attainment and fulfil our young people’s potential to become successful in society.

Each young person has their own personal advisory teacher who advocates on their behalf at termly PEP (Personal Education Plan) meetings and supports them in finding educational, training and employment provisions.

Careers advice

There is a Wednesday drop-In service between 2pm to 4pm at the Turnaround Centre in South Croydon.

This service offers:

  • advice, support and information on education, employment and training
  • help with CVs and applying for jobs
  • assessment tools to help you explore your potential and make more informed choices about your future career

16 to 19 Bursary funding

The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund provides financial support to help students overcome the specific financial barriers to participation they face so they can remain in education. The 2024 to 2025 allocation was £1,200 per eligible student.

Students should only receive the amount they actually need to participate, and institutions must not automatically award the full allocation if the student does not need the full amount. Please check with individual colleges for their eligibility criteria.

Institutions can draw the funding down by completing and submitting a bursary for vulnerable groups funding claim via the Student Bursary Support Service (SBSS) online portal. Further details on eligibility and the draw down process can be found below:

View guidance for the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund.

Post-16 Youth directory

Email post16vs@croydon.gov.uk to access our most recent local directory of useful information on training provisions, local further education colleges, support for wellbeing, as well as careers advice.