Autumn BriefingOctober 2020
Dear Members, Welcome to the BSA Autumn Briefing, our first briefing for the 2020/21 academic year. The aim of the briefing is to give an overview of various boarding sector themes and some additional information on BSA matters as an extension to our weekly newsletter. We are grateful to contributors from other associations for their assistance in compiling the briefing. Best wishes, Robin Fletcher
Chief Executive, BSA and BSA Group
robin@boarding.org.uk
Boarding marketAt the close of August 2020, BSA membership stood at 615, with 505 UK members. During the past academic year, 17 members left the BSA and 21 joined (4 in the UK). At the end of August, 2020, we had on record the following breakdown of BSA member schools by region and the number of boarders:
However, the figures in the table above need to be viewed with some caution as 16 UK member schools had by this time closed or stopped boarding, but their boarders were still included in the table above. By the end of August, 2020, 17 members had reported they would not be renewing their membership for 2020/21: seven had stopped boarding; nine schools had closed, and one which was due to open, has abandoned its plans. The BSA currently has 600 members, 489 UK members and 111 international in 36 countries. Currently, our 489 UK members are comprised of 51 Boys’, 52 Girls’ and 386 Co-ed schools and 121 of our members are Prep schools. Survey resultsBoarders Returning Survey
Thank you to the 165 members schools which have replied to our survey. Of the 165 responses, 154 provided usable data. The total number of boarders registered at the 154 schools for 2020/21, is 22,726 and 20,003 (88%) have returned to school. The schools also report that 1,604 (7%) of boarders have delayed their return and are working remotely. BSA State Boarding Forum (SBF) Services
Please could we extend our grateful thanks to the eight SBF members schools which replied to this survey. We will be sharing the results with the SBF Executive Committee at the next meeting on November 24. Royal Springboard
You may have recently received an email from us which we forwarded on from an ISC update. Included in the update was a request from SpringBoard to let them know by email if your school currently has LAC on its roll. Please could you do so via ceo@royalspringboard.org.uk. For your information, the BSA currently has 489 BSA members in the UK and of these 141 (29%) are listed as SpringBoard schools.
PoliticalHong Kong The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has listed the UK as a high risk country for COVID-19: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/high-risk-places.html This means that pupils returning to Hong Kong need the following: - A hotel booking for 14 days quarantine
- A completed health declaration form
- COVID-19 testing with lab certificate within 72 hours before boarding
- Testing on arrival for Covid-19.
These pupils will need help with arranging the right testing, with results arriving in time before they board the flight. There is pressure on the Government to allow under-18s to be allowed to undergo the 14 days quarantine at home rather than in a hotel. If pupils instead opt to
remain in the UK, schools and guardians will need to help them find suitable accommodation for the October half term and Christmas holidays. We have also been asked whether the new BNO visa system will enable children from Hong Kong to attend UK state boarding schools. To clarify, the whole family has to relocate to the UK in order for the child to be eligible to access state education: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hong-kong-bno-visa-policy-statement/hong-kong-british-national-overseas-visa-policy-statement-plain-text-version England / UK (Matthew Dent,
ISC) - The Government’s key political priority for September was the successful return of schools. They consider that this has been achieved, with only limited partial-closures owing to bubbles self-isolating. Continuation of schooling will remain a central priority of the Government during any resurgence of the virus, they are expected to close schools only as a very last resort – as they are seen as vital to maintaining the economic recovery from the national lockdown.
- At the same time, the Treasury is conducting a review of Business Rates (including reliefs such as charitable reliefs). This is being held within the context of unprecedented costs
related to COVID, and the cancellation of the planned November budget owing to continuing economic uncertainty. ISC has responded to this Business Rates Review, on behalf of all Associations and affiliated Associations, setting out the legal and policy basis for the charitable relief of independent schools, and the public benefit which charitable schools provide.
- The Labour Party has been focusing heavily on the issue of the Government’s competence, and using school return and the disadvantage gap as areas where the Government has not acted swiftly, or well, enough. At the same time, they are still developing their new education policy – with the likelihood that future plans will include taxation on independent schools. It is not presently expected that Corbyn-era calls for ‘integration’ of the sector
will be adopted under Sir Keir – but there may be policies aimed at ensuring independent schools contribute to the closure of the disadvantage gap.
- The Liberal Democrats have appointed a new Shadow Education Spokeswoman, Daisy Cooper MP – who has also been elected Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats. Their Conference discussions of education policy were based on tackling childhood poverty, and the provision of free childcare. They too are expected to announce a wider plan for education, and ISC will be engaging on behalf of all to prove the value of independent schools and their partnership activity.
Wales (courtesy of WISC) - 11 out of 22 counties in Wales, including Cardiff and Swansea are now in local lockdown. Restrictions mean no travel outside council boundaries other than for work, education or medical emergencies with no indoor mixing allowed and no alcohol sales after 22:00. Our schools are still very much open and are dealing with positive cases robustly and safely as soon as they arise.
- WISC met with the Education Minister on August 27 and made the minister aware of the exemplary work our mainstream and special school sector have been undertaking during the pandemic, both in terms of teaching, our schools that remained open and the community engagement. The fact our special schools cannot access the Social Care Workforce Grant was highlighted and the minister took
this point on board and stated she needs to find a way of recognising special school staff. She thanked all our schools for the work they have undertaken during the pandemic. We discussed schools closing and I am in the process of preparing a financial impact on COVID, the first draft of this report should be finalised this week.
- We are now on Version 3 of our Operational Guidance for schools.
- Three weeks into the school term we received the eagerly awaiting final Boarding Schools Guidance (there was very little change from the first draft).
- In terms of COVID Testing this is constantly under review. The problem we face now is false positives in asymptomatic people. In Wales,
we have an open access system so anyone presenting with a cough will be tested. The teaching workforce are no more likely to be exposed than the public.
- In terms of local COVID outbreaks in schools what is clear from those schools that have experienced this in the UK is that it is as a result of adult to adult transmission, so teachers are infecting each other first. It is imperative that all staff whether in a classroom, staff room at lunchtime or in a staff meeting etc must adhere to social distancing. The Minister could not stress this enough to avoid further school closures and stated that she will only shut schools as a very last resort. Our schools have previously been informed they would be issued with Test Kits, however, this week many schools have still not received them, so I am
chasing this.
- Public Health Wales has issued guidance for Headteachers and Parents which are attached to this email.
- School sports guidance - WG has stated that as far as the coronavirus regulations are concerned, swimming pools are listed as a business or premises which may open subject to protective measures. So, unless the operator of the pool in an independent school (the Proprietor, Governing Body, or Headteacher) decides not to open the pool for safety reasons, the regulations don’t require them to close it.
- The relevant parts of the ‘Sport, Recreation and Leisure: guidance for a phased return’ have recently supplemented the advice on swimming pools with some clarification on swimming lessons, which is as follows:
“Simultaneous gatherings of individuals and groups up to 30 people are allowed within a large space such as a swimming pool, a gym, or a sports hall, as long as the space allows for physical distancing, with groups and individuals separated and managed safely. This should only
be considered where space is sufficient to allow 100sqft per person or 3sqm per bather as set out in UKactive guidance, where entry and exit for individuals and groups can be managed, and where the space can be partitioned so individuals and groups do not interact, without limiting the ability to allow appropriate ventilation and control environmental factors such as humidity in each space.”
- We are still awaiting Music Guidance.
- Business Rates Relief - The consultation on charitable rates relief for schools and hospitals in Wales was issued on August 28. The consultation asked for views on whether there is a need to reform
charitable rates relief for schools and hospitals in Wales. The key finding of the consultation exercise is that there are mixed views about charitable relief for schools and hospitals, with a variety of perspectives put forward.
- The consultation will be used to inform the development of any future policy proposals in this area.
- The WG has announced it is providing £2.3 million to provide face masks to all learners in Wales. This does not apply to independent schools in Wales.
- Moves to potentially delay the 2021 election are in discussion in Wales. This election will be the first time 16- and 17-year olds are able to vote in Wales and the first poll since the Welsh
Assembly was renamed the Welsh Parliament.
UK Student and Child Student immigration routes now openThe UK's new Student route, which falls under the UK's new points-based immigration system, has now opened for applications. It improves on the previous Tier 4 route making for a more streamlined experience for both sponsoring institutions and students. Please click here to read more. This information also includes details about Higher Education to assist Sixth Form EU/EEA students in your schools. Last week, BSA held its Tier 4, and the new immigration pathway virtual day seminar. If you weren’t able to join us, recordings from the conference are available to purchase. If you are interested, please email bsa@boarding.org.uk.
Safeguarding and child protectionSafeguarding and child protection association
Meanwhile, BSA sister association, Sacpa (Safeguarding and Child Protection Association) helps to provide a dedicated forum for any stakeholders in this area. BSA schools and staff are entitled to a 50% discount on Sacpa membership with the code 'BSA2020'. www.sacpa.org.uk. Sacpa runs a series of webinars and CPD events that will be of interest to BSA members. To see the Sacpa events calendar, please click here.
Inclusion and DiversityThe BSA Group is committed to supporting Inclusion and Diversity within our member organisations and within the BSA Group itself. Please click here for a link to our full statement which is on our website. This important area of our work will be known as ‘Index’ (Inclusion and Diversity Excellence). This week, we held our
first ever Inclusion and Diversity in Boarding conference. If you weren't able to join us for the event, recordings of all sessions are available to purchase. Please email bsa@boarding.org.uk for more information. We will continue to plan and provide high-quality training throughout the year to support and meet the needs of your member organisations. If you missed ‘Are you ready for…Black History Month’ or ‘Coronavirus: impact on children and young people in BAME communities’ please do contact us to order a
recording. 30th November WEBINAR: Getting the language right: understanding LGBTQ+ terminology (15:00 - 16:00) 15th January WEBINAR: Are you ready for…LGBT History Month (11:00-12:00) 8th February WEBINAR: Are you ready for…Women's History Month (11:00-12:00)
BSA Certified Guardian Scheme Our recently launched BSA Certified Guardian Scheme is proving to be very successful. In response to requests from schools, please click here to access the BSA Certified Guardian logo for use on admissions information or school website.
Community supportOn Board
BSA's On Board community action programme launched in 2019 and continues to go from strength to strength. Member schools are sharing updates with BSA on what their boarding communities are doing for their local community, or charities worldwide. From afternoon teas for the elderly, Christmas boxes for children who otherwise would get no gifts, rowing across the Irish Sea, litter picking, donating to local foodbanks and launching a national mental health campaign, boarders all over are busy looking beyond themselves and working to improve the lives of those around them. For more information on On Board, and to get involved, please email bsa@boarding.org.uk.
BSA AcademyOver the past 20 years, the BSA Academy's Advanced Certificate Course has been the world's leading programme for staff working in and around boarding. BSA Advanced Certificate Course
Over that time, more than 3,000 house masters, house mistresses, house parents, tutors, matrons, assistants, and support staff from over 600 schools have completed this internationally recognised, two-year modular course. Those who successfully complete the course are also automatically eligible to become BSA Level 2 Accredited Boarding Practitioners. - Organisation and communication in a boarding school; outcomes for boarders; adolescent development; eSafety issues and challenges
- Major legislation as it affects life in a boarding school; safeguarding issues; National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools; The Boarding Team; working with parents
- Legal awareness; leadership and management; pupil induction
- Conflict resolution; counselling skills; structures for managing crises and stress in boarding schools;
- Emotional and mental health issues; bereavement, loss and divorce.
NEW ONLINE FORMAT: Diploma in Boarding Practice (Leadership) In response to popular demand, we can now deliver a live online format of the Diploma. This module is comprised of three tutor-led study days with interactive morning and afternoon sessions which allow for discussion and will cover: - Strategic aspects of boarding, including the Statutory Framework
- Leading the Team – how to get the best out of the Boarding Team
- Managing Quality – evaluation and preparing for inspection
- Managing Conflict – a key facet of the senior staff role
- Staff development, appraisal and performance management
- Marketing – a whole team approach
- Facing the Media
· Day 1: January 18, 2021 · Day 2: March 15, 2021 · Day 3: May 26, 2021 Timings: 09:30 - 14:30 GMT: Check local timings here - World Clock Our preferred platform for online training is Zoom Reserve your place here If you are interested in finding out more, email our Senior Training Manager, Liz McDonald, via liz@boarding.org.uk.
Conferences It is usual during the autumn term to announce the upcoming residential conferences for the academic year. This year, we are doing the same, but want member schools to know that we are monitoring the situation and impact relating to COVID-19 and are developing virtual contingencies so staff can still access the varied CPD and thought leadership that our conferences provide. On February 02-03, 2021, we invite Deputy Heads, Heads of Boarding and Boarding House staff to join us in Edinburgh for a two-day conference themed ‘Sharpening our focus’, and chaired by Gavin Horgan, Headmaster, Millfield School. This is our new BSA Boarding conference. On March 11 2021, our conference ‘Supporting international students in British independent schools’ will be running virtually but
welcoming all staff involved in the marketing, admissions and EAL provision of international students as well as Guardians and Agents working alongside member schools. The theme for the 2021 Annual Conference for Heads is ‘being world class’ and we invite Heads from member schools to join us in London, May 04-06, 2021. Our final conference of the year is our Health and Wellbeing conference which is running in Brighton on July 05-06, 2021. We are looking forwarded to seeing the Nurses, Matrons and wellbeing staff who we were unable to see in July 2020 due to COVID.
· Creating a culture of wellbeing ·November 06, 10:30 - 15:30, Zoom
The wellbeing of both staff and boarders are vital to cultivating and sustaining healthy high performance, as individuals and as a community. This seminar will give delegates the opportunity to review, consider and plan the development of a culture of wellbeing across their whole school. Boarding is a fantastic environment to both live and work in but it also comes with it's own demands. These can impact students and staff, and the wellbeing of both directly corresponds to each other. As a school, a commitment to putting wellbeing at the centre of strategy and decision making offers a strong framework for success for everyone involved; students and staff alike.
· BSA Group annual Safeguarding conference ·November 12, Zoom
Running for the fourth consecutive year, this conference highlights the importance and increasing relevance of safeguarding and child protection in the delivery of care and support for young people. Safeguarding is no longer simply a policy to be written, it is a cultural shift that all organisations and schools need to make, and keep current on. Topics include diversity and inclusion: a safeguarding perspective, lessons learned: abuse in residential schools, Grooming, LGBT+ and safeguarding and KCSIE updates.
· BSA COVID Conference: lessons learned and planning ahead ·November 18, Zoom
The BSA COVID Conference will take stock of the impact on boarding schools so far and help schools shape their plans. Key topics will include a sector overview, cases and testing, lockdown case studies, insurance and legal, government guidance and compliance, recruitment and international, and exam planning. Topics include: - The boarding landscape
- Legal and insurance considerations
- Medical and testing
- Local lockdown experiences
- Government: guidance and compliance
- International: schools, recruitment and regulation
- The future landscape: exams and inspection.
· CBT introduction: tools and strategies ·
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) focuses on the role that thoughts play regarding both emotions and behaviour, and advocates that change in thought processes can have a significant effect upon altering behaviours. In the context of the mental health and wellbeing agenda, CBT is an evidence-based intervention which has a preventative role in identifying and supporting young people to develop healthy coping strategies. Delegates will explore key CBT tools, strategies and opportunities to practice and apply these to case studies. They will also gain knowledge of a range of CBT tools and strategies and how these can be used to support with individuals, small groups and a whole class/House.
ForumsDates have been agreed for the following forums: - October 21, 14:00-15:00 (BST) – International
- November 5, 10:30-11:30 – Scotland
- November 6, 11:30-12:30 – South East
- November 9, 14:00-15:00 – Midlands
- November 11, 14:00-15:00 – South Central
- November 18, 14:00-15:00 – North
- November 19 – Ireland (as part of the Irish Conference)
- November 27, 14:00-15:00 – London
Forums are open to any member of the boarding community. To reserve your place please email director of member services, chris@boarding.org.uk.
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