www.boarding.org.uk No images? Click here Dear Members,This week the Scottish government announced the aspirational return to school on February 22 for P1-3 pupils and part-time return for selected senior students (details to be confirmed on February 16).BSA and SCIS are working with the Scottish government on the updated boarding annex section of the school guidance, who have made it clear that it would not be appropriate for any pupils to travel to boarding schools in advance of any formal confirmation This week we also hosted our BSA Boarding Conference and welcomed over 200 delegates to the virtual gathering. The event, supported by headline sponsors Engage and BSA Gold Certified Suppliers Witley Jones, explored leadership, crisis management, marketing, prep boarding, and much more. It is clear from the emails BSA has received that while we were not in person, the event was still valued for bringing together boarding colleagues to share ideas and best practice. Our next conference 'Supporting international students in British independent schools' will take place on March 11 in partnership with BAISIS. The event is suitable for staff working to support international students in British independent schools, from recruitment to 'graduation': marketing, admissions, EAL provision, Guardians, Agents, and members of SLT/SMT. This one-day event will bring together the marketing, pastoral, academic, and recruitment elements of ensuring our international students, and their families, feel supported and valued. Term date surveyWe would like to understand the general picture across member schools about their plans for after half-term or changing term dates. Our survey closes on Friday, February 12 and we will share results with members. BSA is aware that IAPS is also surveying its members on this topic. To take the survey please click here BSA Inclusion Lead trainingThis new, comprehensive, two-day course has been put together to support Inclusion Leads of staff with specific responsibility for equity, diversity and inclusion in boarding schools. The BSA Inclusion Lead course brings together subject leaders from a wide range of backgrounds who will share knowledge and experiences to both support you with this important work, and challenge your thinking to enable professional, and personal, growth. Over the two study days, delegates will cover:
Study dates: Friday, April 30 and Monday, May 17, 2021. To book this training, please click here. COVID updates
UK: Quarantine for International boarders We have also had confirmation from the DfE that boarders may go to their guardians for the February half term in England. With regard to the return to school on March 8, BSA is in conversation with the DfE and have been told that arrangements will be clarified nearer the time for the return of international boarders not currently in the UK. England:
Vulnerable students guidance
School may therefore consider the mental health of international students when reading this guidance. West African Elites’ Spending on UK Schools and Universities reportThank you to colleagues at ISBA for sharing a Carnegie Endownment for International Peace report on 'West African Elites’ Spending on UK Schools and Universities: A Closer Look'. Click here to read the report. BSA Awards 2021 - entries now openThe annual BSA Awards are our chance to celebrate the achievements, hard work, and dedication of schools and individuals in boarding. We're delighted to announce that nominations are now open for this year's awards, which will be announced at our BSA Annual Conference for Heads 2020-21 on May 4-5. For more information on this year's categories and how to enter, please visit the Awards page on our website. The deadline for submitting any entries is Friday, March 26. Best wishes,
BSA Certified Supplier SchemeThe 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 Agents
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. 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. Listed below are a selection of our upcoming courses - to find out more, or to book your place, please click on the course title. 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 day seminars
BAISIS virtual day seminar: Flipped learning in the context of online learning: February 22, 2021 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. Dates: March 08 and July 08. 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. Webinars
To see the entire 2020-21 training programme, click here.Become a BSA Accredited Boarding PractitionerBSA Accredited Boarding Practitioner status is an individual recognition of those boarding staff who are making a personal, professional commitment to best boarding practice. To be considered, all applicants are expected to meet the following core commitments: • Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children Find out more here. Other newsA boarding school parent is scoping a new project to take pressure off families where children wish to return to school but other members of the families are shielding. She seeks boarding schools who would consider offering temporary boarding places to children until Covid-19 vaccines have been rolled out across vulnerable groups. If you are a school with capacity to offer a local child a boarding space to enable them to attend school while keeping vulnerable family members safe, or would be interested in discussing how such a project could be effective, please contact lucycarlyle@gmail.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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