BSA Weekly Newsletter Issue 167
Dear membersBSA’s weekly update on Covid-19 continues to be published each Monday with the next update scheduled for March 16. Given developments over the past few days however, the principal focus of this newsletter is also on this topic.On Wednesday, the WHO announced that the COVID-19 virus is now a global pandemic. If any pupil does become infected by the virus, please can you let me know (robin@boarding.org.uk) so BSA
can track the number of cases. The IFRC, UNICEF and WHO guidance to protect children and support safe schools report can be viewed here. When communicating with our boarding community, Richard Cairns from Brighton College has suggested schools focus on the cases per million in the population as it is a much better indication of the spread of the virus in a country. This information can be found here https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/. Several governments around the world have imposed a number of in-country and travel restrictions. UK As you will be aware, the government announced last night that the UK has now moved to the 'delay' stage of the COVID-19 planning. The latest guidance for education settings can be viewed
here. The advice includes: - schools to remain open
- no overseas school trips
- people with fever or persistent cough told to self-isolate for seven days
- public gatherings of 500 people or more are to be cancelled (Scotland only).
Public Health England has released new guidance for
those staying at home with confirmed or suspected cases of coronavirus. The advice states: - Not to go to work, school, or public areas, use public transport or taxis - or even for a walk
- Those with even mild symptoms of infection should stay at least two metres away from other people in their homes and should sleep alone
- Those with confirmed or suspected cases should use a separate bathroom.
This advice will have implications for members, and schools should begin to plan for isolating boarders and what to do about staff shortages should they fall
ill. VWV has produced a useful summary that can be viewed here. To read the Prime Minister's statement, please click here. IrelandThe Taoiseach announced yesterday that from 18:00 (March 12) until March 29, schools, colleges, and other public facilities in the Republic are to close. Della Sammon, from
the Department of Education and Skills has confirmed: It is not expected that the residential part of schools close and normal arrangements regarding the duty of care to boarders should continue to apply. However it is also important that Health Service Executive (HSE) advice should be followed at all times, including the need to practice social distancing, and to minimise physical contact to help avoid the spread of Covid-19. In order to minimise the impact on teaching and learning, all schools are asked to continue to plan lessons and, where possible, provide online resources for students or online lessons where schools are equipped to do so. Schools should
prioritise supporting exam classes to continue to prepare for State examinations.
ItalyAs a result of the government lockdown, schools are closed in Italy but member boarding schools are still caring for boarders. FrancePresident Macron announced on Thursday evening that all schools and universities will close from Monday following a spike in confirmed cases. International travel for boardersMany international pupils are now considering returning home for Easter from the UK or have already left. The following links may guide schools in their thinking: - China has implemented new measures including self-isolation or quarantine for inbound visitors or returning nationals: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china/health#coronavirus
- Some
Hong Kong pupils are reporting that they are being called home by the Department for Health but the FCO issued this statement to the BSA yesterday afternoon: "I have looked at recent updates we are getting from China/Hong Kong Posts and also on the Hong Kong Department of Health and Chinese Embassy in London websites. I can’t see anything that relates to Hong Kong children who are boarders in the UK being directed to come home." But they are following this up with the HK embassy and should BSA received further updates we will communicate on our update on Monday.
- UKVI has updated its immigration guidance in relation to COVID-19 and the relevant section states:
Some Tier 4 students or Tier 2/5 employees may be prevented from attending their studies or employment due to illness, the need to serve a period of quarantine or the inability to travel due to travel restrictions caused by coronavirus. Sponsors do not need to report student or employee absences related to coronavirus which they have authorised. Sponsors do not need to withdraw sponsorship if they consider there are exceptional circumstances when: a student will be unable to attend for more than 60 days an employee is absent from work without pay for four weeks or more Decisions on whether to withdraw a student from their studies or terminate an employment are for sponsors to make. The Home Office recognises the current situation is exceptional and will not take any compliance action against students or employees who are unable to attend their studies/work due to the coronavirus outbreak, or against sponsors which authorise absences and continue to sponsor students or employees despite absences for this reason. The Home Office will keep this under review, especially if the length of absences mean a potential repeat of period of studies become necessary. Click here to read the full guidance.
COVID-19 Easter supportSeveral schools (and their connected holiday camps) are able to support pupils unable to travel at Easter. Please find a list below and if you would like to add your school please email bsa@boarding.org.uk. - (SUMMER ONLY) Ashdown
House, please email (secretary@ashdownhouse.com)
- Barnardiston Hall, please email Lesley Gundersen (L.Gundersen@bhps-staff.co.uk)
- British Study Centres, please email Charlie Tweddle (charlie.tweddle@british-study.com)
- Brockhurst & Marlston House Schools, please email Rachel Harper (r.harper@brockmarl.org)
- Cherwell College Oxford, please email Stephen Clarke (Stephen@cherwell-college.co.uk)
- Dukes Education group, please email Sam Holderness (sam@summerboardingcourses.co.uk)
- Earlscliffe please email Julie Fish (juliefish@earlscliffe.co.uk)
- Gordonstoun, please email Lisa Kerr (principalpa@gordonstoun.org.uk)
- Millfield School, please email Rob Cox (cox.r@millfieldschool.com)
- Port Regis, please email Christopher Etchells (etchells@countryschools.co.uk)
- Rossall School, please email Lucy Barnwell (l.barnwell@rossall.org.uk)
- Sherborne International, please email Daryl Barker (summer@sherborne-international.org)
- St Lawrence College, please email Emma Taker (lettings@slcuk.com)
- St Mary's Cambridge, (girls only) please email Laura Chen (info@camlang.co.uk)
- Stonar, please email Matthew Way (M.Way@stonarschool.com)
- Strathallan School, please email Claire Bath (adminclb@strathallan.co.uk).
Infection Prevention and Control for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)The WHO are offering a free online course on what facilities should be doing to be prepared to respond to a case of an emerging respiratory virus such as the novel coronavirus, how to identify a case once it occurs, and how to properly implement IPC measures to ensure there is no further transmission to HCW or to other patients and others in the healthcare facility. Please click here to find out more. Coronavirus and wellbeing webinarThe BSA has arranged a webinar, led by Ruth Hughes, a positive psychology expert, to consider the mental health implications of coronavirus and the possible restrictions on travel on boarders and boarding staff. This will be free for BSA members and will take place at 16:00 on March 19. To book a place, please click here. The ISC Digital Strategy GroupThe ISC Digital Strategy Group is
collecting materials to support online/distance learning in the event any school has a need for such resources during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. Should members have information they can contribute, please email the Group’s chair, Ian Phillips - Phillips_I@habsboys.org.uk. Content will be hosted on the ISC Digital Strategy Group website: https://iscdigital.co.uk/coronavirus-continuing-learning/#respond Request for help: remote teaching systemsFrensham Heights School has asked BSA if we can ask member schools if anyone has guidance on staff teaching from home and/or using web-based services to ensure the continuity of education? If yes, is anyone willing to share this information, guidance and experience? If you can help, please contact Becks Scullion, Deputy Head at Frensham Heights. StaffingWe are delighted to announce that Ammy Davies-Potter, currently Deputy Head (Pastoral) at St Mary’s, Calne, will be
joining BSA at the start of the next academic year as Director of Accreditation and Guardianship. Best wishes Robin Fletcher
Chief Executive, BSA and BSA Group
BSA AcademyUntil now, in line with Government and Public Health advice, BSA has where possible continued with our planned programme of events. Given the move now to the delay stage and the fact that delegates and member schools are facing significant pressures, we feel the time is right to postpone our remaining day seminar, certificate and diploma events in March. All those booked on the relevant courses will be emailed with further details, and we shall give updated details of the rearranged dates as soon as the situation allows. We will circulate information about April events early next week, but not be making any decisions about events in May and beyond until
the picture becomes clearer. For further information, please email Director of Safeguarding, Standards and Training, Dale Wilkins via dale@boarding.org.uk.
WebinarsCoronavirus and Wellbeing
March 19, 2020 (16:00-17:00)
The webinar will be presented by Ruth Hughes, a positive psychology coach with 25 years of experience in leadership roles in education and NGOs. Ruth will share her ideas on supporting wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak. Ruth is passionate about championing young people and wants people to consider the emotional impact of the outbreak of coronavirus and the underlying concerns over travel restrictions and impact on family/friends on boarders, and boarding staff. Safeguarding and emerging risks
March 25, 2020 (17:00-18:00)
This webinar will be hosted by Stella James from Gooseberry Planet. Gooseberry Planet is passionate about raising the profile of E-Safety in schools and about engaging and educating the whole school community. Parents and teachers have a combined responsibility to protect and prepare children for a life online.
During the webinar, Stella will share the 10 top ways of online harassment, the top five emerging risks, and how they relate to being online. She will then ask you to consider whether your staff are ready to deal with these.
Conferences Annual Conference for Boarding House Staff
April 01-02, 2020, The Hilton Brighton Metropole, Brighton
We are very pleased to announce that the Annual Conference for Boarding House Staff will be held in Brighton in April 2020. We hope we have booked speakers who will inspire over the two days, as well as being an excellent opportunity to network with colleagues. Speakers include: - Gemma Oaten: Former Emmerdale Actress and Patron of Seed - The Women on the Screen: The Reality of Eating Disorders and Early Intervention.
- Johnny Hunt: Sex Education Consultant, Going Off the Rails - Sex and Relationship Education.
- Mark
Robinson: Senior Consultant, BSA - Developing Leadership Skills in the Boarding House.
- Lis Cashin: Consultant, Trainer, Author - One Hell of a Path to Happiness.
- Gareth Doodes: Headmaster, Dover College - Embracing the Challenge.
- Dale Wilkins: Director of Safeguarding and Standards, BSA - Playing it Safe? Creating a Positive Safeguarding in Schools.
To reserve a place at this conference, book online here. SBF Summer Conference
June 16, Gordon's School, Surrey
To book your place at the conference please click here. Speakers and topics include: - Sector update: Robin Fletcher, CEO, BSA
- IICSA & NMS Update: Dale Wilkins, Director of Safeguarding, Standards & Training
- Post-Brexit Challenges: Mark Dixon, Headmaster, Royal Alexandra & Albert School
- DfE Briefing and
Q&A: Ayath Ullah, DfE
- Boarding Staffing: Ensuring the Future Supply of Quality Boarding Staff
- MOD/FCO Update: Russell Collyer, MOD and Mark Taylor, FCO.
Day SeminarsGender and identity in boarding: policy planning
April 23, Kensington Park School, London
The focus of this seminar will be on ensuring your school is adhering to government legislation and the NMS direction on the inclusion of gender, gender identity and sexual orientation in your policies. During the seminar, the group will work together to look at updating key policies on anti-bullying, equal opportunities, inclusion, safeguarding, uniform and consider examples of what LGBT+ inclusion looks like moving from policy and into practice. "Outduction": preparing boarders for life after school
April 27, Mill Hill School, London
When we induct students into our schools, we give them a great deal of help and support to settle in and make the best of their time at our schools. Do we do the same to support them in managing the transition post-school?
This seminar will help both pastoral and academic staff develop a final year programme to support students in their preparations to take more responsibility for themselves and their actions, helping them realise and grasp life experiences and opportunities out in the world. Medical matters for non-medical staff
May 13, Wycombe Abbey School, Bucks
This is a busy day that provides help and consideration on simple medical policy, practical advice on supporting those with acute and chronic conditions as well as highlighting 'red flags' to identity potentially serious conditions. This seminar is aimed at staff who take specific medical responsibility for pupils in their care, usually where there is no full-time formal medical provision always in place.
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