Boarding essentials
🏷️ From £175
🎧 New boarding staff
📍 Online
✅ Included in BSA CPD Pass
Course Outline:
The level of professionalism expected in boarding supervision has significantly increased in recent years, driven by stronger regulatory frameworks and rising parental expectations. This seminar is designed to support staff who are new to boarding by complementing their school-based induction and providing essential context around the key responsibilities and expectations of the role.
By equipping new boarding staff with a solid understanding of the principles, legal context, and practicalities of boarding care, schools can quickly establish confident, capable teams who enjoy their duties and provide high-quality support to the young people in their care.
The session will explore the Duty of Care framework, safeguarding, roles and boundaries, and how to meet the everyday needs of boarders. Delegates are encouraged to familiarise themselves in advance with their school’s boarding handbook and relevant boarding-related materials from their school’s website.
Training Topics:
- Safeguarding and the National Minimum Standards for Boarding:
An overview of legal and inspection requirements, with a focus on current safeguarding expectations in boarding practice. - Meeting the Needs of Boarders:
Practical case studies to explore common scenarios in boarding life and how to manage them effectively and empathetically. - Understanding Your Role in Boarding:
Discussion around the expectations of the school, the boarding house, parents—and your own expectations as a member of the pastoral team. - Working Safely and Looking After Yourself:
Tips and guidance on maintaining your wellbeing, working safely, and finding fulfilment in your boarding role.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Understand the key principles and expectations of working in a boarding environment
- Feel more confident in supporting the wellbeing and development of boarders
- Recognise the legal context, including safeguarding responsibilities and the National Minimum Standards for Boarding
- Reflect on their role within the wider pastoral team and identify strategies for maintaining personal wellbeing and resilience
Speaker:
Mark Robinson, BSA Senior Consultant
Mark has a Product Design Degree from Brunel University and a PGCE. His first post in independent education was as Assistant Master at Christ’s Hospital in Horsham where he held several positions including Assistant Housemaster to a junior boy’s boarding house. After five years he moved on to Ardingly College in West Sussex as a Head of Department and Housemaster to a joint day and boarding house. Mark has been an inspector on boarding inspections, an Assistant Housemaster to a girls’ boarding house and fully involved in teaching up to ‘A‘ Level.
In 2002 Mark gave up teaching to set up Mentor Education Services Ltd, a business offering education-related consultancy services to the independent sector, initially training, interview coaching and professional development but also marketing and pre-inspection to schools both in the independent and maintained sector.
Mark was appointed as Assistant Director of Training for the Boarding Schools’ Association in 2010, where he continued offering training and consultancy to independent and state schools both in the UK and around the world. In 2017 he was appointed as Deputy Head Pastoral at Collège du Léman in Switzerland, a large international boarding and day school. After gaining some further, valuable international experience, Mark returned to the UK to continue his training and consultancy in the Independent and state school sectors.
