www.boarding.org.uk No images? Click here Dear membersThe latest BSA advice regarding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from March 17, 2020 can be found on our website here alongside the interim update from March 18, 2020 relating to school closures across the UK, here.Updated BSA advice will be issued on Monday. ISBA also shared very comprehensive advice which members may find useful, it can be viewed here. 1. Boarding operationsBSA are aware many schools across the UK are still looking after overseas boarders, vulnerable children and key workers' children. We are trying to give the government an idea of how many schools are looking after how many boarders. If you are remaining open to look after a number of boarders, please email robin@boarding.org.uk and let us know how many. For clarity, the government wants overseas boarders who can go home to do so as soon as possible, although it recognises some students cannot at the moment get flights. Yesterday, March 19, the government published additional guidance relating to maintaining educational provision and free school meal arrangements for both independent and state funded schools. It has also published a FAQ for parents series on school closures that may be useful. 2. IsolationBSA are also aware many schools have found the interpretation of boarding houses as households problematic in the context of isolating COVID-19 students. This has been raised directly with the government, but meanwhile, any schools with cases should always contact their local public health department for instructions. 3. Offers of support from boarding schoolsSeveral boarding schools in England are already offering support in their local communities and many have contacted us. If you plan or wish to provide community support, you should communicate with your local authority, who will co-ordinate this. BSA has also written to the DfE offering with the idea of using boarding houses and/or medical centres as additional NHS capacity. If this idea develops we will be in touch with members. 4. ScotlandThe Deputy First Minister in Scotland issued a statement yesterday in relation to schools and COVID-19. To read the statement in full, click here. 5. MOD Continuity of Education AllowanceThe following guidance is for recipients of Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) in response to Coronavirus (COVID-19). These arrangements are effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice. To see this guidance, click here. 6. BSA Group operations
7. House of LordsFollowing BSA and ISC conversations with government, please find below Hansard extracts from yesterday:
Best wishes
BSA AcademyWebinarsCoronavirus and Wellbeing
The Coronavirus and Wellbeing webinar is available to those who were not able to register at a discounted rate of £20. To order a copy, please email janki@boarding.org.uk. Safeguarding and emerging risks The BSA Accredited Boarding Practitioner schemeThe BSA Accredited Boarding Practitioner scheme, which recognises the experience and skills of boarding staff, now has more than 300 members from over 190 schools worldwide. It 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:
There are four levels recognising staff who have completed at least one year in boarding and undertaken key training and met the key commitments (Level 1) to recognising 12 or more years in boarding and has completed the BSA Diploma or equivalent and has made a significant contribution to boarding beyond their own setting, as a course tutor or similar (Level 4). For more information on applying for this scheme, or nominating a colleague, please email Senior Training Manager, Liz McDonald. Member ServicesThe BSA TeamPlease 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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