www.boarding.org.uk No images? Click here Dear Members,We're counting down to our 'Supporting international students in British independent schools' one-day virtual conference, which will take place on Thursday (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, which is being supported by headline sponsor Password | English Language Testing and supporting sponsor Connexcel Ltd, will bring together the marketing, pastoral, academic, and recruitment elements of ensuring our international students, and their families, feel supported and valued. We hope as many of you as possible will be able to join us, so if you haven't done so already, please head over to the event page on our website to book your place. There are lots more online CPD and training events happening between now and the Easter break too, and you can find out more about them in the BSA Academy section below. Quarantine arrangements for boarding school students from red list countriesYesterday (Thursday, March 4), the DfE confirmed boarders at schools in England from ‘red list’ countries can quarantine in boarding houses rather than government hotels. As yet this only applies to England and is subject to following strict guidance outlined in 'Quarantine arrangements for boarding school students from red list countries'. A full copy of our update from yesterday can be viewed by clicking here. BSA and ISC would like to thank DfE colleagues for their hard work and support in collating this document. We are still working with the devolved governments alongside SCIS and WISC on related local policy. As part of this, we have co-signed a letter from Lisa Kerr, Principal of Gordonstoun, SCIS and Scottish boarding heads, to John Swinney MSP, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education, urging the Scottish Government to allow a similar approach. Members in Wales have received a communication from Welsh Government and are urged to respond by this evening’s deadline (March 5). Further guidance is expected imminently in Scotland, and BSA and SCIS will advise members as soon as it is available. For additional COVID updates, please scroll down to the next section. 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. BSA BlogWe've launched a new BSA Blog, a regular feature where guests authors will share their thoughts on a variety of important topical subjects. If you would be interested in authoring a guest blog for us, please contact Andrew Gray, Communications and Partnerships Manager. You can read the BSA Blog by clicking here. BSA Research FellowshipThe BSA Research Fellowship launched by the Boarding Schools’ Association in 2016 gives an experienced senior member of the boarding community the opportunity to undertake a unique research opportunity. The successful applicant will visit three boarding schools of their choice and will collate their data in a research project analysing the different schools and their boarding provision. The fellow will present their finding a the Annual BSA Boarding Conference 2023. The deadline for applications is February, 2022. If you are interested in submitting a proposal for the BSA Research Fellowship (2021/22) please email chris@boarding.org.uk. BSA Awards 2021 - entry deadline on March 26The annual BSA Awards are our chance to celebrate the achievements, hard work, and dedication of schools and individuals in boarding. There's just a short time remaining for you to send in your nominations 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 the categories for 2021 and how to enter, please visit the Awards page on our website. The deadline for submitting any entries is Friday, March 26. 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,
COVID updatesHong Kong As many members will know, direct entry into Hong Kong from the UK is currently not possible until the end of September 2021. This means anyone travelling from UK to Hong Kong must first quarantine in a country other than the UK followed by 21 days' quarantine on return to Hong Kong. Understandably, this is putting Hong Kong pupils off from returning to their UK schools because they will be unable to return home for the summer holidays. See FAQs 8 - 12 at the following website for more information: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/high-risk-places.html. Schools may wish to consider their response to Hong Kong parents who are reluctant to send their child back, e.g. help with staying in the UK through the Easter and Summer holidays or continued online learning at home. We are continuing to liaise with the Department for International Trade regarding the situation in Hong Kong and will advise members on any further updates. Exeats As an associated issue, those schools which are continuing with compulsory exeats may wish to consider keeping their boarding houses open during the current situation, to allay the fears of international parents. Airport delays We have had reports of returning international pupils facing long delays at immigration on arrival at UK airports. School drivers and taxis collecting pupils will need to be prepared to wait for long periods if necessary, given that pupils cannot use public transport. Scotland - phased school returns Our thanks to our colleagues at SCIS for sharing the following update with us:
To view the latest advice from the COVID-19 Advisory Sub-Group on Education and Children's Issues regarding phased return to in-person learning in schools and ELC settings, please click here. Isle of Man 'circuit breaker' lockdown A 21-day "circuit-breaker" lockdown has begun on the Isle of Man to limit the spread of COVID-19, following a rise in cases in recent days. To read the story in full, please click here. 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 AgentsWe are delighted to announce that QED Education Group (China) 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. 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.
BSA Inclusion Lead training: This 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. 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. 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. 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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