www.boarding.org.uk No images? Click here Dear Members,It's almost time for our Annual Conference for Heads, supported by our headline sponsor Schoolblazer, which takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday (May 04-05) next week: we're looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible, albeit virtually, there. If you've booked your place already, we'll be sharing the joining details with you later today. If you haven't yet secured your spot, there's still time and you can do so by clicking here, and you'll be able to book right up until the start of the event. The theme of this year’s conference is ‘world class’ and below is a message from Bex Tear, Headmistress, Badminton School and BSA Chair 2021, giving a sneak preview of what you can expect over the two days. Don't forget, discounts for group bookings, so if any of your colleagues want to join for one or all of the sessions, they can do so at a reduced rate. And if you’re not available to attend, the majority of the sessions will be recorded, so anyone who books a place will be sent a recording as soon as it is available. At the conclusion of the Conference, we'll also be naming the winners of this year's BSA Awards, sponsored by Engage, so we very much hope that you can join us. If you entered this year's awards and were not chosen as a finalist, and would like some feedback on your submission, please email us at bsa@boarding.org.uk. For more on our upcoming training and events, please scroll down to the BSA Academy section. BSA letter to the Sunday TimesYou may be aware that the Sunday Times has run stories in its recent editions from former boarding pupils who experienced abuse. We have written to the Sunday Times in response and hope that our letter will be published this weekend. Below for reference is a copy of the letter:
COVID KeepersAs a result of the pandemic have there been any policies and practices that you have introduced to your school - any ‘COVID Keepers’ - that you feel you'll retain? It may be you've abandoned, adopted or accelerated some policies, and if so, we would like to hear from you. If you would like to share details of your COVID Keepers with us, please email bsa@boarding.org.uk. We will collate the responses and share them with members. Also, if you are a state boarding school and wish to present your COVID Keepers at our SBF virtual Summer Conference on June 08, please email Chris Ryan, BSA Group Member Services Director, at chris@boarding.org.uk. National Boarding Week 2021A reminder that this year's National Boarding Week will take place from Monday, June 21 - Sunday, June 27, 2021. During the week, we'll be celebrating the importance of health and wellbeing in boarding life in collaboration with Limitless, a unique brand that offers high-quality sportswear to many of our member schools. Further details will be announced soon, but we we hope to see as many of you as possible getting involved in fun and innovative activities that support mental health and wellbeing. In House consultancy serviceBSA Group’s In House consultancy service on all aspects of boarding and safeguarding is currently proving very popular with members in the UK and overseas. This includes a boarding house facilities review service which we are now conducting ‘virtually’ with several schools via video footage and/or reviewing submitted images. Anyone interested in this, or consultancy of any kind at a discounted rate for members, please contact robin@boarding.org.uk. ON BOARDSince January 2019, our ON BOARD Community Action Programme has been highlighting the work of boarding schools in their local communities. Its aim is to increase support for local communities from boarding schools and to highlight this to external stakeholders, including the Government and parents. To participate in the programme, BSA member schools must:
For more information, please visit the ON BOARD section of our website. ISC new members' documentOur colleagues at ISC have asked us to share a document it has produced for new member schools about its work. A copy of the document can be viewed by clicking here. New school staff cyber security training packageThe National Cyber Security Council (NCSC), working in partnership with the education sector has developed a new school staff training resource the NCSC . This blog explains the product and directs you to the training page where you can access the two school staff training formats. This free training package joins NCSC's list of cyber security for schools resources developed specifically for the sector. The training has been designed for schools and education partners in mind. Thanks to our colleagues at ISC for sharing this update with us. Scotland’s Boarding Schools' Virtual Fair, 22/5/21BSA is lending its support to Scotland’s Boarding Schools’ Virtual Fair, taking place on May 22. The event provides an opportunity for parents to meet key staff from Scotland’s leading senior boarding schools and discover the benefits of choosing Scotland for their child’s senior school education. For more information about the event, please click here. StudyTravel Secondary School Awards 2020/21BSA was one of the finalists at the inaugural StudyTravel Secondary School Awards 2020/21, which took place virtually on April 21. Although we didn't win our category, ST Secondary School Award Secondary Association, were delighted to make the final shortlist. Well done to CAPS-I, the winner in our category, and to all the other winners. BSA Magazine - Summer 2021 edition: send us your contentFinally, a reminder that if you would like to submit any content for the next edition of the BSA Magazine, please email your contributions to bsa@boarding.org.uk by Friday, May 7. Best wishes,
BSA Certified Supplier SchemeThe organisations below are members of the BSA Certified Supplier Scheme, which aims to connect members and organisations. BSA Gold Certified Suppliers
BSA Certified Suppliers
For more detail on each of the suppliers, please visit the BSA Certified Supplier Scheme page on our website. Please note: The suppliers listed are not endorsed by BSA, nor does the association accept any liability for the quality of the goods/services listed on this page. All suppliers below have entered into a commercial arrangement with the BSA to promote their goods/services. Certified Guardian and Agent schemesThe BSA Certified Guardian and Agent Schemes continue to grow, providing reassurance for schools and families. The schemes' training and certification programmes assure BSA boarding schools that they are dealing with educational guardians and agents who have the highest standards in the safeguarding of children, safer recruitment and training of staff and host families, and careful liaison with parents and schools. The schemes are a clear demonstration to BSA boarding schools of the quality and intention of the educational guardians and agents who reach certified status. BSA Certified AgentsWe are delighted to announce that UK Academics & Guardianship (UKAG) and Global Education Tumulka (GET) have joined the BSA Certified Agent scheme. Welcome to the BSA family!
For more information on the BSA Certified Agent scheme, please visit our website. BSA Certified GuardiansWe are delighted to announce that Great British Guardians has joined the BSA Certified Guardian scheme. Welcome to the BSA family!
For more information on the BSA Certified Guardian scheme, please visit our website. We have also had a number of requests from schools for our BSA Certified Guardian logo to use on admissions information or school websites - you can access a copy of the logo by clicking here. BSA AcademyAccredited trainingThe BSA's programme of Professional Development and training is the most comprehensive CPD package offered to staff in boarding schools. It includes a series of professional practice Certificate courses specifically designed to meet the practical needs of boarding staff and provide an internationally-recognised qualification in Boarding Education. For more details on our Certificate courses, please click here. If you need any further information about our Accredited Training programme, please contact Liz McDonald, Senior Training Manager, at liz@boarding.org.uk. Virtual conferences
Virtual seminars and specialist training
Sacpa Training - Safeguarding for Professional Practitioners: This training is a vital safeguarding refresher for those working with children but who are not themselves the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Sacpa Director of Safeguarding, Dale Wilkins, formerly a Local Authority Safeguarding Trainer, will take delegates through the legal framework, update knowledge of definitions, signs and symptoms of abuse, consider specific safeguarding issues such as Child Sexual Exploitation, County Lines and preventing radicalisation and provide thorough guidance on identifying, recording and reporting abuse. The session will also invite delegates to consider where they are vulnerable within the workplace and how to handle allegations against staff. Date: May 10. Sacpa Safer Recruitment Training: This training will enable you to meet statutory responsibilities referenced in Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children, and required by OFSTED. The course is suitable for staff in the role of designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and deputy designated safeguarding lead (DDSL) as well as members of management teams with recruitment responsibilities, including HR and Governors/Trustees. Date: May 13. Sacpa DSL Training: This training will enable you to meet statutory responsibilities referenced in Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children. The course is suitable for staff in the role of designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and deputy designated safeguarding lead (DDSL). It is delivered by an NSPCC-accredited trainer and qualified social work manager of 20 years. Date: July 08. Webinars
To see the entire 2020-21 training programme, click here.Index (Inclusion and Diversity Excellence)Following our inaugural inclusion conference in October, BSA Group launched Index, a programme of support to help members in this area. This includes the BSA Index Framework and Toolkit - guidance documents to promote the values of equity, diversity and inclusion (they can be accessed here via the EDI area on our website under the heading ‘Index Resources’ - BSA website username and password required) Our second Index (EDI) conference will take place on September 28, 2021 – more details will be available soon. Inclusion Leads/Staff with an EDI Leadership role - we are collating names and email contact details of anyone in a BSA school with an EDI leadership role. Please email bsa@boarding.org.uk with your full name, school and full job title/role. For more information about our Index programme, please email Ammy Davies-Potter, BSA Group Director of Guardianship and Inclusion. Other newsGSA webinars: The Girls' School Association is hosting two diversity and inclusion-related webinars in May which are now open for bookings:
Keep in touchPlease note the BSA office is now closed and the team is working remotely. If you would like further advice from the BSA, please email bsa@boarding.org.uk or contact the team directly:
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