www.boarding.org.uk No images? Click here Dear membersAs we approach the end of #NationalBoardingWeek, it has been wonderful to see over 170 schools taking part in the celebrations around the world, especially during COVID-19.The enthusiasm and love of boarding is clear to see through all the activities, videos, photographs and poems you have been sharing. A huge thank you must also be given to our partners SquadKit who have supported our positive messages and promoted our theme of health and wellbeing. Please do continue to share your stories for the remaining three days of #NationalBoardingWeek. COVID updatesCOVID-Safe Charter and logo: Over 175 BSA member schools have now pledged to support our COVID-SAFE CHARTER, and it is particularly pleasing to have had expressions of support from across the world. If you would like to let BSA know you are adopting the Charter, please click here. Translations in Chinese, German and Russian, alongside the charter logo and a template letter for parents can be found on our website. Keeping children safe online: DfE guidance from England (but useful for all boarding schools) regarding guidance to help parents and carers to keep children safe online during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak now includes new information on apps to help children stay safe online. Click here to read more. Quarantine form for boarders: all arrivals to the UK must provide information regarding their quarantine arrangements. Please ensure your boarders are familiar with this form when communicating details about returning to school. ISC/International student lobbying: Members are encouraged to contact local MPs regarding the effect COVID-19 will have on our international student community. Members are welcome to personalise the attached template letter to reflect their circumstances and any existing relationship they have with their MPs. Any school which has questions about the letter, or would like a briefing in advance of a meeting with their MP, please contact matthew.dent@isc.co.uk. COVID supplier list: following feedback from members, BSA today launches a COVID supplier list. This list aims to connect members and organisations navigating the pandemic. 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:
For more detail on each of the suppliers, please visit the BSA COVID supplier page here. Consultancy supportA number of schools, both international and UK, have recently asked BSA for consultancy support on aspects of boarding. Our In House consultancy service, which is discounted for member schools, was heavily in demand before lockdown and if there any schools with projects needing BSA support please contact me so we can ensure diary dates and resources are identified and secured. Password / BSA university entrance testAn update on the Password English Language BSA test for use by BSA schools with Year 13 international pupils who cannot meet the IELTS score required for their university choices because IELTS test centres remain closed in many parts of the world, particularly China. The co-branded test has now been built and LSE, University of Leeds and University of Exeter have already been given their validation codes, with many more universities in the pipeline. The first school tests are being run on 1st July but schools may run them at any time convenient to them. For more details of the scheme and to sign up please contact Dr. Helen Wood of Password. Best wishes
BSA AcademyBSA Accredited Training Programme2020-2021 courses are now open and delegates are invited to book now:
Virtual day seminarsMedical considerations in boarding for the return to school during COVID-19 Promoting mental health awareness following COVID-19 WebinarsBAISIS webinar: Supporting the return of international boarders to the UK BSA Master's in Residential Education - Buckingham UniversityBSA's MA in Residential Education is a one-year, part-time course for those working in or with an interest in boarding schools. It is offered as a partnership between the BSA and Buckingham University. This course allows those with experience in boarding, who are keen to research, to write about a topic of interest to them relating to boarding. The heart of the MA is a 12,000-15,000 word
dissertation. Participants undertake a literature review, which informs their dissertation, and will learn about different research methods. Participants will be expected to read widely. The course starts in September. Applicants may be from state or independent boarding schools in the UK or abroad. To apply, please visit the University of Buckingham website. BSA Accredited Boarding Practitioner schemeThere are four levels recognising staff who have completed at least one year in boarding, have demonstrated a commitment to safeguarding and undertaken key training, such as a BSA day seminar (Level 1) to staff who have completed 12 or more years in boarding and completed the BSA Diploma, or equivalent qualification, and have made a significant contribution to the wider boarding community outside their own setting (Level 4). Levels 2 and 3 can be worked towards by completion of the BSA Advanced Certificate Course and BSA Diploma respectively. All readers of this newsletter are almost certainly eligible for one of the ABP Levels and now is a great opportunity to apply. If you've attended BSA training in the past, all you need to do to apply is click the applicable link below:
If you have any questions about an application or wish to nominate a colleague, please email Liz McDonald, BSA Senior Training Manager. Partner NewsBSA Certified Agents
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Member ServicesKeep 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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