www.boarding.org.uk No images? Click here Dear Members,Next week will see a further easing of lockdown restrictions in England and Scotland, and while our thoughts remain firmly with our members in other parts of the world who are still being severely affected by COVID-19, I'm sure we all sincerely hope this marks another significant step successfully negotiated in our long journey back to normality. With half term fast approaching, we will soon be entering June, where BSA Group will be holding no less than five virtual one-day conferences in a busy three-week period. The first is our SBF Summer Conference 2021 on June 08, followed by our summer Immigration update on June 10, and our Boarding Future Project Conference on June 15. The following day (June 16), Sacpa and BAISIS will be jointly hosting Safeguarding International Students, with Sacpa leading our first-ever Safeguarding in Sport conference on June 24. All of the conferences are now open for bookings, so please click on the links to secure your places if you haven't done so already. 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. Updated Schools coronavirus (COVID-19) operational guidance for England publishedThe Department for Education (DfE) has published its updated Schools coronavirus (COVID-19) operational guidance for England. A full copy of the updated guidance can be viewed by clicking here. 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. Education Staff Wellbeing CharterThe DfE has published a new Education Staff Wellbeing Charter, which sets out its commitment to protecting the mental health and wellbeing of everyone working in education in England. A full copy of the charter can be viewed by clicking here. Limitless Challenge: #boardersgosgreenDuring our Annual Conference for Heads this month, we launched the Boarders Go Green Challenge. In partnership with Limitless, a unique brand that offers high-quality sportswear to many of our member schools, we're challenging schools to join together to walk the equivalent of the distance across Africa. Schools can contribute to this by undertaking a series of tasks and completing them will equate to a distance walked. The challenge starts now and will end at the conclusion of National Boarding Week (June 21 27, 2021) and we'd love to see as many of you getting involved as possible. For more information, please visit our #boardersgogreen webpage. Cyber UK 2021: Ransomware, the risk to schools and ways to prevent itWe're grateful to our colleagues at ISC for sharing the following update from the National Cyber Security Centre
BSA ForumsThe next round of forums are nearly upon us and the dates are as follows: May
June
(*If you have yet to receive an invite and wish to attend please could you email bsa@boarding.org.uk) Boarding OrchardThe Boarding Orchard was launched by the BSA in 2014. It aims to be largest orchard, by distance, in the UK and involves boarding schools joining the orchard by planting fruit trees in their grounds. The trees symbolise the ‘tree of knowledge’ and demonstrate each school’s commitment to growth and caring for the environment. Since launch, schools across the UK - including Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - have joined The Boarding Orchard. Trees have also been planted at boarding schools in India, Malaysia, Switzerland and the USA. Earlier this year, the initiative also received support from His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, who called it ‘an excellent way of promoting environmental awareness.’ We have members in six continents, so we're keen to increase the size of the orchard globally. Wherever you are in the world, we'd really appreciate it if you could plant a tree and join the orchard. We also like to publicise any schools joining the orchard with a news story on our website and social media. For more information about the Boarding Orchard, and to view some of the schools who've already joined, please click here. If you're interested in joining the orchard, please email us at bsa@boarding.org.uk. 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. 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 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. We are delighted to announce that booking is now open for the 2021-22 accredited training courses! Certificate Course BSA Advanced Certificate in Boarding Practice (School Nurses) 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 which allow for discussion. Find out more or reserve your place 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 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. WebinarTo 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). May EDI Training
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 a diversity and inclusion-related webinar next month which is open for bookings:
Independent Schools of the Year 2021 Awards: We've been asked by Independent School Parent magazine to share the following update with you about the upcoming Independent Schools of the Year 2021 Awards:
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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