BSA Legal

As part of our commitment to supporting BSA member schools, we offer specialised immigration guidance from our BSA Group Legal team.

This encompasses 15 minutes of complimentary advice each term for each school.

We offer fully customisable immigration compliance support packages designed to provide you with the perfect UKVI compliance solution, at the right cost.

As a starting point, we offer two levels of Support Plans. This core hotline service provides you with access to expert advice and guidance throughout the year, when you need it. Members can choose between the following plans:

Your chosen Support Plan can be used alone or form the foundation of a more substantial support package by adding Additional Products & Support Services. Build a customised annual retainer package to suit your unique requirements. Alternatively, our Additional Products & Support Services are also available for purchase as standalone options.

Click here for more information on additional products and support services. 

Audience: Senior Leadership, Finance, Admissions, Compliance, Sponsor Licence Key Personnel, International Student Liaison Officers, Boarding / Pastoral staff

Context:

Understanding your school’s responsibilities as an international student sponsor is crucial. Compliance with sponsor licence duties extends beyond issuing CAS and the grant of visa; duties continue throughout the lifespan of the licence itself.  Regardless of your level of experience in sponsoring international students, this clinic equips you with the necessary information to uphold continuous compliance.

Designed for staff responsible for daily sponsor compliance management. Stay updated on student sponsor compliance changes and ensure your processes align with UKVI requirements, boosting confidence in your school’s compliance practices.

Course Outline

The clinic will be held over two separate days:

• Clinic Day 1: January 14, 2027
• Clinic Day 2: February 02, 2027

Timings: 10:00 – 15:30 GMT/BST

All clinic days will be held online via zoom.

Reserve Your Place Here

The clinic covers the following:

• Understanding your responsibilities as a UKVI sponsor
• Sponsor compliance: best practice and key consideration
• Managing CAS allocations and your Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA)
• Recruitment processes and due diligence
• Managing and understanding alternative immigration routes
• Safeguarding, risk management and student care arrangements
• Monitoring, reporting and record-keeping requirements
• Practical case studies and group discussions
• Q&A session
• Includes CPD certificate

Key takeaways:

• Practical tips for Student sponsor best practice.
• Ability to lessen the burden of UKVI compliance alongside peers.
• Experience in navigating common and complex scenarios.
• Awareness of the risk-exposure for schools recruiting internationally.
• Best practices for record-keeping.
• Understanding of monitoring and tracking immigration status requirements.
• Monitoring arrangements for leave-outs/exeats/end of term.
• Awareness of SMS reporting requirements.

Speaker:

Kate Hollyer, Partner and Director, BSA Legal Services Ltd

Kate is Legal Director of Abitas Group and Director of BSA Legal Services Ltd. As a qualified solicitor with more than 12 years’ experience advising clients on UK immigration law, Kate assists members with all immigration and safeguarding legal matters. Prior to joining BSA in 2022 Kate was Partner and Head of Department at a leading full-service UK law firm. Having resided in state, preparatory and senior school boarding houses since 2014 with her Housemaster husband, Kate has a unique perspective of boarding life.

Antonia Price, Head of Immigration, BSA Legal Services Ltd

Antonia is Head of Immigration, joining BSA after over 20 years working in Immigration and Global Mobility across a range of industries.  Antonia’s focus has always been on delivering an excellent client service by building strong and trusted relationships with her contacts and understanding their priorities and needs.  She has extensive experience on a range of visa application types and the processes and requirements of the Home Office.  Antonia was particularly keen to join the Abitas group because her boarding school experience as a child was wonderful and she has always advocated boarding life and the positive aspects surrounding it.

Mark Taylor, Legal Consultant, BSA Legal Services Ltd

In a previous reincarnation Mark founded The Taylor Partnership – supporting U.K. independent schools in meeting the compliance demands of their UKVI sponsor licences and training many school staff. Mark was previously a Trustee of AEGIS and, during the pandemic, assisted independent schools in creating Covid management plans and organised testing. More recently, after travelling the world, Mark has identified the increased risk to independent schools as a result of the need for greater probity and due diligence in financial awareness of school suppliers, parents and agents. Mark’s interest in this field was first sparked in 2016-17 when he supported a number of schools following the disappearance of students from Vietnam.

Kate Hollyer MTIOB, Director (Solicitor), BSA Legal

As a qualified solicitor of England and Wales with more than 12 years’ experience advising clients on UK immigration and nationality law, Kate supports members with all UK immigration matters including UKVI sponsor licence compliance. Kate is a member of the Home Office Education Advisory Group and is the boarding sector representative for this group. Prior to joining BSA in 2022 Kate was Partner and Head of Department at a leading full-service UK law firm. Having resided in state, preparatory and senior school boarding houses since 2014 with her Housemaster husband, Kate has a unique perspective of boarding life.

Leigh Steer, Immigration Executive

Leigh joins BSA Group as Immigration Executive for BSA Group Legal Services Ltd. Having previously held the position of Registrar at an independent boarding school, Leigh has a deep understanding of the intricacies of sponsor licence compliance. Through her expertise, Leigh ensures that member schools are supported in all areas of UKVI sponsor licence compliance, including the intricacies of sponsor duties, CAS management and international student visa support.

Robin Fletcher MTIOB, Director, BSA Legal

Robin Fletcher is CEO of BSA Group, comprising BAISIS (British Association of Independent Schools with International Students), BSA (Boarding Schools’ Association), BSA Legal, HIEDA (Health in Education Association) SACPA (Safeguarding and Child Protection Association) and TIOB (The Institute of Boarding). A former journalist, editor and communications director, Robin is a non-executive director of the manufacturers’ trade body Make UK, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and an Honorary Fellow of Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Aileen Kane FTIOB, Director, BSA Legal

Aileen is Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer of BSA Group. She leads operations at BSA Group and works closely with members to provide guidance and training. Aileen also works with government departments, local authorities and other agencies to support members and heads up the group’s work to find places for refugee children escaping from conflict countries.

Mark Taylor, BSA Consultant

In a previous reincarnation Mark founded The Taylor Partnership – supporting UK independent schools with UKVI compliance and training. Mark was previously a Trustee of AEGIS and, during the pandemic, assisted independent schools in creating Covid management plans and organised testing. More recently, after travelling the world, Mark has identified the increased risk to independent schools as a result of the need for greater probity and due diligence in financial awareness of school suppliers, parents and agents. Mark’s interest in this field was first sparked in 2016-17 when he supported a number of schools following the disappearance of students from Vietnam.