Communicating in a crisis

• Date: June 2, 2025
• Time: 13:00 – 14:00
• Cost: BSA Member Rate: £90, BSA Additional Full Member Rate: £45, BSA Affiliate Member Rate – £120, BSA Additional Affiliate Member Rate: £45, Non-member Rate: £180*
• Audience: Heads, Senior Deputy Heads, Heads of Boarding, Deputy Heads, Comms team, Heads of House. 
• Platform: Zoom (online) – webinar

Course outline:

Schools often need to sensitively and carefully manage crisis situations, from the small crises which happen almost daily, to significant crises which can involve major reputational risk. Communicating clearly and effectively is crucial in the management of all crises. This webinar looks at how this is best achieved.

Training topics will include: 

• The range and nature of crises in schools.
• Setting up a team response to crises.
• Managing internal and external stakeholders in a crisis.
• Hints and tips for effective and sensitive communication

Learning outcomes: 

• Be able to plan for a range of possible crises and know who will respond to each stakeholder group. 
• Know the ‘dos and don’ts’ for communicating in a crisis. 

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Speaker:

Nick P Richardson, FCIM, Director, Marketing Advisers for Schools & DES platform

Nick P Richardson is the Director at Marketing Advisers for Schools and the DES (Digital Empowerment Solution) platform, a role he has held since 2020. With over 20 years of strategic marketing, communication, and development experience, Nick has been instrumental in supporting both independent and Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) schools.

A Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM), he is dedicated to helping schools simplify, strengthen, and scale their digital marketing efforts.

In this session, Nick will facilitate the speaker team and explore how schools can navigate crises more effectively in today’s fast-moving digital landscape—drawing on real examples and using DES-developed templates to help support clear, planned and coordinated communication.

Rob Palfrey, Founder and Managing Director, Minerva Social Risk Management

Rob, Founder and Managing Director of Minerva SRM, provides bespoke social risk management services to companies operating in complex environments. With over 25 years of military experience—specialising in stabilisation and counterinsurgency—he now focuses on Information Operations and Outreach. A UK Government Conflict Expert and Director at Human Rights at Sea International, Rob champions social purpose in marine human rights. He is a certified International Conflict Negotiator and Peacemaker, holds a Master’s in Social and Global Justice, and serves on the Board of Governors at Wellington School, Somerset. Through Rob’s work within the school sector, including the governance role, Rob brings unique insight into how boarding schools can plan for, respond to, and recover from crises with clarity and confidence.

Eugene du Toit, Master of Haileybury

Eugene was born in Zimbabwe, grew up in South Africa, and has lived in England for over 25 years. Before being appointed Master of Haileybury, Eugene was the Headmaster of Wellington School, Somerset, served as Deputy Headmaster at Trinity School, Croydon, and was an Undermaster at St Paul’s School.

Eugene has taught Economics, coached rugby and athletics, has been a tutor, Head of House and Head of Year during his career. Eugene is a graduate of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and has completed both an MA and an MBA through UCL. He has served on HMC’s Education Committee and also supported HMC’s Reform of Assessment Working Group; he has also had his views on the changing nature of educational leadership published.

In this session, Eugene will share real-life insights from a crisis he helped to manage while at Trinity School.