www.boarding.org.uk No images? Click here Dear Members,Yesterday (July 1), we issued an Immigration update to UK members after schools in England received an email from the DfE on Wednesday (June 30), which indicates that study for less than six months at an independent school will no longer be possible through a visitor visa, with a Child Student Visa being required instead from October 2021. A full version of the update can be viewed by clicking here. BSA requested urgent clarification from the Home Office and DfE, and the Home Office has advised the following:
The Home Office team is now in discussions with DfE and we expect a statement imminently which we will share with members once received. Hong Kong updateEarlier this week, the Hong Kong government announced all passenger flights from the UK would be prohibited from landing in Hong Kong from 0.00am on July 1 (Hong Kong time). Our update on this announcement can be viewed by clicking here - where they can, our BSA Certified Guardians are available to support any students affected (for more information about our Certified Guardian scheme, please click here). Following the announcement, we urgently contacted the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office regarding the situation and have now received a response, which can be viewed by clicking here. UKVI verification codesUKVI technical teams are working on a range of alternatives for students who do not receive verification codes, however in the meantime, if a student does not receive their text verification code, they can contact the UKVI support centre to obtain it:
Schools to be able to decide on COVID rules from September under Welsh government plansSchools and councils will be able to decide for themselves the rules around major issues like mask-wearing and self-isolating under new Welsh government plans. To read the story in full, please click here. Welsh government written statement: Sexual harassment and abuse in education settingsOn June 16, Jeremy Miles, the Welsh Minister for Education and Welsh language, issued a statement on sexual harassment and abuse in education settings. Below is a summary of some of the points mentioned in the statement, but please do read the statement in full:
Training and eventsNext week, we'll be holding our final conference of this academic year. There's still time to book your place at our Annual Health and Wellbeing Conference, which takes place on Tuesday, July 6. We do hope you can join us for the event, which is developed in collaboration with our Nurse Advisors. The conference content will be relevant to pastoral staff specifically tasked with student wellbeing, Matrons and School Nurses, so please do let any of your team members know who may be interested. And don't forget, if you can't join us live at the conference, remember you can make a booking to receive the recordings to review at your convenience. Please click on the link to book your place. For more information on our forthcoming CPD, training and events - including dates for our Accredited Training programme in 2021/22 - please scroll down to the BSA Academy section. Save the date: International Student University Fair, September 29, 2021BSA and BAISIS, in association with UK Education Guide, will be holding an online information and recruitment university fair, aimed specifically at international and ex-pat students, which will run from 11:00-17:00 on Wednesday, September 29. The fair will specifically address feedback from over 30 member schools who attended a forum on May 5 on how UK Universities could better support international and ex-pat students as they transition from school to Higher Education. It will offer:
The event is aimed at Year 11, 12 and 13 students as well as Heads of Careers, HE advisors and Heads of EAL. Universities attending will include University of Exeter, University of Sheffield, University of Liverpool and University of Nottingham. This event is free for schools and students - to secure your place, please book here. National Boarding Week - thank you!A huge thank you to all staff and students who took part in this year’s National Boarding Week, sponsored by Limitless. It was great to see you all getting into the spirit of the week and holding so many health and wellbeing-related events. Special thanks to everyone who got involved in our #boardersgogreen challenge. For the challenge, which launched at our Annual Conference for Heads back in May, we asked you to walk the equivalent of the distance across Africa - approximately 7,500km - by undertaking a series of tasks, which would equate to a distance walked. Together, you covered an incredible 18,718.98km - more than double the original target. The challenge really did capture the imagination, and we especially loved seeing this from the staff and boarders at St Swithun's School's Le Roy House, who chronicled their contributions to the challenge on canvas! Award successWe’re thrilled to announce our recent Annual Conference for Heads received a Mark of Excellence at June's Virtual Events Awards! Here's some of the feedback we received from the judges:
Thank you to the judges, and all our delegates, guest speakers and event sponsors who helped make it such a success! Home Office open consultation: Protect DutyThe Home Office is seeking views on how the Protect Duty can make the public safer at publicly accessible locations. This is a UK-wide consultation and is targeted at venues, organisations, businesses, local authorities, public authorities and individuals who own or operate at publicly accessible locations or others that a ‘Protect Duty’ would potentially affect. More on the consultation can be found by clicking here - the deadline for responding is 11.45pm tonight (Friday, July 2). School Sport Research Foundation (SSRF)We're lending our support to the School Sport Research Foundation (SSRF), a newly formed non-profit research foundation set up to promote and facilitate research into the physical, mental and social aspects of school sport. Membership of SSRF is open to all schools who have a desire to influence the direction this research takes. Schools who choose to become members of SSRF will be showing their commitment to engage with research that will allow continued improvement in their sector. Members will be able to propose research projects, seek the support of SSRF to run studies and have early results from research so that they can start implementing change. As part of this initiative, BSA will be undertaking a research project into sports injuries in schools. If you are interested in hearing more about SSRF and the potential of your school being involved, please complete the form that can be found here, or please contact Mr Richard Finch, Director of Sport at Harrow School and Head of School Partnerships at SSRF by emailing richard.finch@ssrf.org.uk. Best wishes,
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. We are delighted to announce that booking is now open for the 2021-22 accredited training courses! Certificate Course Online BSA Certificate in Professional Practice - Mental Health & Wellbeing This module is comprised of three tutor-led study days featuring guest speakers, interactive morning and afternoon sessions. Breakout groups allow for discussion and time with the course tutors. Study day sessions will include:
Click here to reserve your place. ONLY SEVEN PLACES LEFT: BSA Advanced Certificate in Boarding Practice (School Nurses) The course is tutor-led and will consist of four separate live online study days spread over a full academic year. The sessions on each study day will be a mixture of presentations often with an external expert, and group discussions. Find out more or reserve your place here. BSA Certificate in International Boarding BSA Certificate in Professional Practice - Inclusion Lead Training Participants will receive high-quality training and support from a range of experts to further develop the skills and confidence needed to establish, embed and sustain equity, diversity and inclusion work in their school. Throughout the two days there will be opportunities to meet, collaborate and discuss with other participants and to learn from case studies and good practice from other schools. Click here to reserve your place. Autumn Diploma in Boarding Practice (Leadership) - 2021 - 2022
This is comprised of three, tutor-led study days, with interactive morning and afternoon sessions that allow for discussion. Find out more or reserve your place here. BSA Certificate in Professional Practice for Pupil Welfare & Support 2021-2022 Sessions for this course include:
Click here to reserve your place If you need any further information about our Accredited Training programme, please contact Liz McDonald, Senior Training Manager, at liz@boarding.org.uk. Virtual seminars and specialist trainingSacpa 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. To see our latest 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). Our second Index (EDI) conference will take place on September 28, 2021 – a number of exciting speakers have already been confirmed for the event. You can find out the latest by visiting the event page on our website, with more details to be announced 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. 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're delighted to announce that Carfax Consultants has 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 Guardians
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. Partner newsAccommodation request: IntoUniversity is an education charity supporting disadvantaged young people to gain a university place or another chosen ambition. The charity is looking for London-based accommodation in July and August 2022 to enable older students from other cities to participate in programmes in London, and for new graduate staff during their initial training period: Big City Bright Future: Three-week paid internship for Year 13 students with 24 firms in London. Academy of Enterprise: One-week entrepreneurship week for students at university. Staff Training: Accommodation for regional staff during their initial training period in London. Further details
IntoUniversity runs 34 learning centres, located in the heart of disadvantaged neighbourhoods in 16 towns and cities, where students are supported from age seven with an innovative, impact-driven programme. The charity has partnerships with several independent schools. www.intouniversity.org If your school could possibly help, please contact Jack Hall on 07593 136591, or email Celebrating Partnerships - case study request: Our colleagues at ISC have asked us to share the following request with you for this year's Celebrating Partnerships booklet:
Appointment of Chair of ISEB: The Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB) is seeking to appoint a new Chair to succeed Durell Barnes who will retire from this role on the appointment of his successor. This part-time position would suit someone who has a strong track record in senior leadership and strategic planning, together with a good understanding of the current educational landscape. Highly developed negotiating and presentation skills, alongside experience of senior governance will also be required. Working closely with the CEO, Julia Martin, the role involves providing entrepreneurial leadership to the company, setting strategic aims and promoting ISEB’s values and standards. It is intended that the new Chair will take up this post in the spring of 2022, though some flexibility over the start date may be possible. Interviews are due to take place in August with a closing date for applications of July 22. For further details and an application form, please contact Andrew Nott (andrew@aneconsultancy.com / 07799 411406). Durell Barnes would also be happy to discuss the position with prospective candidates (durell.barnes@iseb.co.uk). Temporary staff needed for Bishopstrow College summer camps: Bishopstrow College in Wiltshire is looking for temporary staff over the summer holidays for summer camps. The college needs four people for two weeks from July 15-24 for its summer programme. The posts will either be at Bishopstrow College near Warminster, or at Padworth College near Reading. If you are interested, please email Stuart Nicholson, Principal, at principal@bishopstrow.com. 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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