Professional Development

Training courses and Qualifications for boarding Staff 2013-2014

Bookings are now open for the 2013-2014 Professional Development Certificate - click here for further information and for the application form.

Each study day will commence with registration at 10.00am and the day is due to finish by 3.30pm.

The BSA's Programme of Professional Development and Training is the most comprehensive package offered to staff in boarding schools, and includes the first and only university-validated programme of professional development specifically designed for the practical needs of boarding staff and providing a university qualification in Boarding Education.

Training is organised and run by BSA on a national and regional basis.

Qualifications awarded by Roehampton University.

E-mail : training@boarding.org.uk Telephone : 020 7798 1580

Roehampton Professional Development:

BSA Roehampton Professional Development certificate course.  This is a two year modular course accredited with the University of Roehampton.

What are the Course Objectives?

• to raise awareness of key issues of importance to boarding
• to increase confidence and competence (especially for those with little boarding experience)
• to bring boarding staff up to date with recent changes and developments
• to provide opportunities to share experience and good practice with colleagues
• to encourage reflection and critical evaluation of boarding practice and professional issues
• to provide opportunities to study and develop expertise in specific areas of interest
• to contribute towards school improvement and raising standards of pastoral care and welfare
• to enhance a professional career path in boarding;to provide a university qualification in recognition of successful completion of the courses.

 Course Details

How are these Certificates delivered?

Each module comprises of five study days.  Students must attend all five sessions of each course. These Study Day sessions will be tutored by a variety of specialist contributors as well as experienced boarding staff.  Many sessions will benefit from joint contributions and discussion between non-teaching and teaching staff participants.  Students are also expected to read in and around the key topics and to carry out research.

Where and when are the courses run?

The Programme of courses are shown on the right hand side as downloads.  These are arranged on a regional basis with the Study Day sessions being held in one (or in some cases two) locations. The first date of each regional course is key as it includes the essential introduction to the whole course/module.  THIS STUDY DAY MUST BE ATTENDED.

Who can apply?

Participants should be working in a boarding role in a school or college normally in membership of the ISC or SBSA.

How is the Course Assessed?

HE 1 CERTIFICATE
PART 1

• completion of a 3,500 word Portfolio, reflecting the learning and understanding that has been developed in relation to course themes and the participant’s learning.

PART 2

• compilation of a Resource Pack on a chosen boarding/health and development theme, incorporating appropriate investigation and evaluation in school.

HE 3 CERTIFICATE
PART 1

• compilation of a 3,500 word Diary, reflecting the learning and understanding in relation to the themes of the course and the participant’s professional development.

PART 2 

• will be assessed by the completion of an extended piece of written work (3,500-4,000 words), in the form of a short research project or an essay on an issue of importance and relevance to the participant.

How long will it take?

Most participants will complete the two parts of the course in sequence, but it is possible to complete Part 2 before Part 1 if participants have had prior experience of working in a boarding setting. It is expected that most participants will complete both parts of the certificate during a two-year period, but some may be able to complete the whole course within a shorter time span.

What support will be available to me?

Each course will be supported by a team of tutors and participants should have the support of a mentor (approved and appointed by the Head), who is likely to be a senior colleague in a position to support, encourage and assist the participant in day-to-day work, and in his/her progress through the course. The mentor will be briefed by BSA and will receive appropriate training and guidance.  The course tutors for the taught components of the Certificates will also provide on-going support and help with the self-study units and assessment tasks.

Participants are able to gain access to Roehampton’s Library and Resource Centre, and to reference sources at universities around the UK, as well as on-line reference material. Reading lists will be provided for each module of the course; schools are expected to provide such reference materials for their participants.

Course Attendance and Costs

Details of the costs for each module are shown in the supporting documentation - see downloads.  This includes the university registration and certification fee. 

NB: that all participants are required to attend ALL five study days for a given course.

The cost to participants from schools not in membership will be at an increased rate.  Please enquire with BSA for costs.

Cancellations

When cancelling the course, payment of the Roehampton Registration Fee plus any days attended will need to be paid.

How do I enrol for one of these Certificates?

Staff wishing to enrol on any of these courses should send their Registration Forms, the School Support/Mentor proforma and Disability and Ethnicity Form to training@boarding.org.uk.  This can be downloaded on the right of this form.

Downloads

• Professional Development Certificate 2013-2014