BSA Weekly Newsletter

Issue 158

Dear members

On behalf of the BSA, I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Once again this year we are not sending paper Christmas cards and will instead be making a donation to Barnardo's as part of our Boarders for Barnardo's project.

A BSA Safeguarding Newsletter has been published this week which includes reflections on IICSA, information on changes in Scotland and Wales, news about a meeting with the Office of the Children’s Commissioner and some thoughts about the role of independent listener. It can be found on the BSA website.

We look forward to working with you in 2020.

Robin Fletcher
Chief Executive

BSA Academy

Webinars

Responding to Issues of Peer-on-Peer Abuse
10:30, January 16, 2020
This webinar will examine the principles and detail of the 'sexual violence and sexual harassment' guidance, the Brook traffic light tool for assessing harmful sexual behaviour and look at ways to respond, report and record any allegations. Delegates may participate live or request a recording to watch at a more convenient time. This webinar will be hosted by Dale Wilkins, Director of Safeguarding, Standards and Training for the BSA. Click here to book now.

Accredited Training

Advanced Certificate Course
This two-year modular course is aimed specifically at staff working in and around the boarding environment.

Diploma in Boarding Practice (Leadership)
New Spring Diploma in London now open for booking. This course is aimed at senior boarding staff. Candidates may have previously completed the BSA Advanced Certificate Course and/or be suitably experienced to benefit from this leadership course.

Advanced Certificate in Boarding Practice (International Students)
This course is aimed at any member of staff in school or college that wish to improve their academic and pastoral support for international boarders.

Day Seminars

Induction Training for GAP Assistants
Through a mixture of speaker-led training and discussion, GAP assistants will cover the essential skills required to work in a boarding environment. An insight into life in boarding including the fundamentals of safeguarding, understanding boarders’ needs, working as a team and understanding expectations will be provided. Safeguarding is of the highest priority in boarding schools and GAP assistants are an integral part of keeping children safe. Having just finished their own education, it is vital they understand their professional responsibilities and make a successful transition to joining a staff team and being responsible for the education and wellbeing of others.

Dates and venues -
Jan 21, 2020 - Melia White House Hotel, London
Jan 22, 2020 - Hilton Hotel, Reading
Jan 27, 2020 - Millfield School, Somerset
Feb 04, 2020 - DoubleTree Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester
Feb 06, 2020 - Melia London Kensington Hotel, London

If you place your GAP assistants through LetzLive, they will arrive to your school having already received BSA training and therefore do not require any further training beyond your school induction process.

INSET and Consultancy

Dates for BSA INSET in January are already filling up but our consultants do still have some availability to deliver training. If you are interested in arranging INSET on any of the topics/themes that feature on our training calendar, or discussing a bespoke training plan, please do get in touch with Beth Waddington via bethan@boarding.org.uk.

Partner News

ISC advisory group
The ISC and its member associations continue to pursue all available channels to defend the sector from potential threats. An ISC advisory group comprising member associations and professional advisers has met over the autumn to consider the impact of the current Labour Party policy, and those of other political parties, on the sector in terms of changes to tax arrangements for independent schools and potential integration into the state sector.

ISC members are invited to login to view a briefing note produced by the group which considers issues of affordability, a risk register on the potential introduction of different measures, and a Q&A covering legal and tax issues. Also see a separate Appendix on the possible introduction of VAT on fees and steps schools could take to manage the impact – this has been produced by Baines Cutler, who are an independent consultancy, at the request of ISC. Separately also find advice commissioned by ISBA on VAT and fees disaggregation.

Schools may still need to take their own legal advice depending on individual circumstances, but the briefing papers should support schools in developing an overarching strategy. The briefing notes are intended for governors, headteachers, bursars and other senior staff and should be treated confidentially. If you have any questions please contact Simon Nathan, ISC head of policy, simon.nathan@isc.co.uk.

ISC Census 2020 – Questionnaire now available
The ISC Census 2020 questionnaire is now ready and was shared with all member schools on November 27. This currently exists in pdf format only but will allow schools to prepare their responses in advance of the online questionnaire that will go live on January 16. The deadline for completing the Census will be January 31. We strongly encourage schools to engage with the questionnaire recently shared so that the completion process for your school is smooth in January. If you have any questions about the Census then please email research@isc.co.uk.

Ivy House Award
The Ivy House Award, a leadership programme for Sixth Formers. Developed by a leading team of executive coaches, in partnership with a number of interested head teachers, The Award brings the kind of deep personal and professional development previously reserved for the most senior execs, to sixth formers. Developing ownership, initiative, resilience, emotional intelligence and self-leadership, The Award equips students with the knowledge and skills they need to step up and take ownership of their future.

It’s currently running in a number of schools including Cranleigh plus others such as Canford, Eton, Brighton College, Charterhouse, Harris Academy and Logic School. This very short video will tell you a bit more: https://vimeo.com/371326374

If members would like to know more, Martin Reader, Headmaster, Cranleigh School is very happy to be contacted on hmoffice@cranleigh.org or if you would prefer to go direct, please contact the Ivy House Head of Schools Partnerships, Victoria Gerrish vickyg@ivyhouse.london.

BAISIS
Managing the change towards a whole school approach to CLIL
Feb 28, 2020, Abbey College Cambridge
If you teach EAL in a mainstream school or are responsible for EAL provision in your school, this day is intended to help you explore how to implement a school-wide approach to EAL classroom strategies and teaching techniques in mainstream subject classrooms. This will enable you to cascade ideas across departments in your school, to help you support subject teachers, and to enable you to take a role in influencing managers and policy makers.

Childnet
Safer Internet Day 2020 Supporters' registration now open!
BSA is supporting Childnet, a partner in the UK Safer Internet Centre which coordinates Safer Internet Day in the UK each year. Schools and organisations are now able to register as Safer Internet Day Supporters to share what they are doing for the day. In 2019 over 2,100 organisations registered their support; this and the activities that took place across the UK made 2019 the biggest UK Safer Internet Day yet. Now we need your help to make Safer Internet Day 2020 even bigger and better!