www.boarding.org.uk No images? Click here Dear Members,In last week’s newsletter we asked UK members to complete a short survey about their plans to change term dates for the remainder of the academic year 2020/21. Please could we thank the schools who have already replied. 53% of respondents reported that they definitely will not make changes to term dates. Of those who were planning changes to term dates, the majority were planning changes around the Easter holidays. If you have not yet completed the survey and wish to do so, please click here. For our latest COVID update, please scroll down to the next section. Biometric residence permit update from Home OfficePlease see below an update from the Home Office on biometric residence permits (BRPs):
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. Feedback from National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools in England webinarLast Friday (February 5), more than 125 delegates took part in a BSA webinar looking at the proposed revisions to the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools in England. Many delegates made extremely helpful and informative comments, which will be taken into account in BSA’s forthcoming written response to the consultation. These included comments on the current lack of ratios, both for staffing levels and appropriate provision of facilities, on guardian arrangements, the independent listener, staff training and many others. Six separate poll questions were asked during the webinar, with the results as follows:
BSA Prep ForumAlso on February 5, we hosted our first virtual Prep Forum meeting, and we were delighted that 110 members attended. Robin Fletcher, CEO, BSA and BSA Group, presented an update on the boarding sector. Issues discussed included COVID-19 experiences, private fostering, quarantine, plans for the return of boarders, ‘social bubbles’ and visits to school by prospective parents (not recommended). Dale Wilkins, Director of Safeguarding, Professional Development and Accreditation, BSA and BSA Group, presented an update including NMS consultation, IICSA, the Lady Smith Scottish Inquiry and the resumption of inspections. This was followed by a brief update on UKVI by Aileen Kane, COO, BSA and BSA Group. The next Prep Forum is scheduled for 14:00-15:00, May 18, 2021. 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. Events and trainingInternational Conference: It's just under one month until our next conference, 'Supporting international students in British independent schools' which will take place on 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 will bring together the marketing, pastoral, academic, and recruitment elements of ensuring our international students, and their families, feel supported and valued. For more information on our upcoming training and events, please see the BSA Academy section below. BSA Awards 2021 - entries now openThe annual BSA Awards are our chance to celebrate the achievements, hard work, and dedication of schools and individuals in boarding. Nominations are now open 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 this year's categories and how to enter, please visit the Awards page on our website. The deadline for submitting any entries is Friday, March 26. School PlacesIn 2020, we joined forces with Bulldog Publishing to launch Schoolplaces.org, a dedicated live information resource for schools, parents, and education agents. Schoolplaces.org is designed to help agents and families easily find available school places, all in one location. And it’s also the ideal platform for schools to showcase themselves and let parents and agents know what they are offering. If you’re interested in getting your school listed on Schoolplaces.org, please email hello@schoolplaces.org. Best wishes,
COVID updatesTravel advice guidance updatedThe UK government has updated its guidance for British people travelling overseas during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, if they are legally permitted to travel internationally. From February 15, you will need to quarantine in a government-approved hotel if you arrive in the UK from countries on the travel ban list. The guidance also now includes a new link to Scottish government quarantine hotels guidance, for arrival in Scotland from any foreign country except Ireland from February 15 onwards. Test to Release updateThe UK government has updated its Coronavirus (COVID-19): Test to Release for international travel guidance. It has been revised to include new testing, self-isolation and quarantine rules from February 15. Quarantine guidance publishedThe UK government has published new guidance on how to quarantine following arrival in England. Separate advice should be followed for anyone needing to quarantine in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Quarantine for International BoardersWith regard to the return to school on March 8, BSA has been told that arrangements will be clarified nearer the time for the return of international boarders not currently in the UK. As stated in recent updates, the Home Office has confirmed that when international boarders do arrive in the UK, they will be able to self-isolate in their boarding houses rather than in a hotel. Updated Wales exam and qualifications guidanceQualifications Wales has issued guidance on alternative arrangements for approved GCSEs, AS and A levels. The guidance sets out high level information for centres on the requirements for producing Centre Determined Grades (CDG) in summer 2021. A full version of the guidance can be viewed here. It has also provided updates on alternative arrangements for Essential Skills Wales qualifications in 2021 and Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificates. (Our thanks to Emma Verrier at WISC for this update) 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 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. 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
BAISIS virtual seminar: Flipped learning in the context of online learning: February 22, 2021 BSA training: Enjoying your interview: February 23, 2021 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. Other newsMyanmar: With the current political situation in Myanmar, many students there who were hoping to study abroad can no longer afford to do so. If any member school is in a position to offer a generous bursary or scholarship to a student aged 16-18 from Myanmar, please contact Caroline Nixon, International Director, who will put you in touch with an intermediary. Scam alert: Jeremy Farrell, Senior Deputy Headmaster at Sutton Valence School, has asked us to share this update with members:
Work of Royal SpringBoard extended to include day schools: Our colleagues at ISC have asked us to share the following update:
Research support needed: Matthew Robinson who recently spoke about equity, diversity and inclusion at our Boarding Conference is undertaking an EdD on How Leadership, Culture, Race and the Independent Boarding School Sector Interact. He would be interested in hearing from members who might support his research. Matthew can be contacted at mfr@westbuckland.com. Tes Independent School Awards: Did you run, join, or witness an amazing student initiative in the 2019-20 academic year? The Tes Independent School Awards wants to hear from you! These awards celebrate best practice in the independent school sector and we are really keen to see as many entries as possible in our Student initiative of the year category. This award recognises a project accomplished by students to demonstrate a clear learning outcome. The project could be student or teacher led and could involve an individual or group. It is free to enter at isawards.co.uk and the closing date is Friday, February 26. We will be running a virtual awards ceremony and all the winners will be honoured in an issue of Tes magazine. For more information, visit www.isawards.co.uk. 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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