BSA East of England Forum
🏷️ Free of charge
🎧 Boarding Chaplains
📍 In person – Abbey College
Forum outline:
BSA regional forums are FREE for all staff at BSA member schools, and are a valuable opportunity to come together once a term to share experiences, exchange ideas, and discuss current issues affecting boarding.
Designed to foster regional collaboration, these forums offer a supportive and informal space for staff to raise questions, explore best practice, and benefit from peer insight. Whether you’re a Head of Boarding, Houseparent, Matron, or part of the wider pastoral team, the sessions are an excellent way to stay informed, connected, and inspired.
While many of our forums are held online for accessibility, some meetings take place in person to offer more opportunities for networking and relationship-building.
Why attend?
- Stay up to date with developments in the sector
- Discuss local challenges and share region-specific insights
- Contribute to a community of practice focused on continuous improvement
- Ask questions, seek advice, and offer support to peers
- Hear updates from BSA and guest contributors.
Ellen Hesse, Principal, Abbey College Cambridge
Ellen Hesse has dedicated her entire professional career to working in boarding schools, accumulating a wealth of experience in supporting boarders and ensuring their effective and enjoyable induction into school and boarding life. Currently, she is serving as the Principal at Abbey College Cambridge, an independent secondary school in Cambridge. She previously held the position of Vice Principal Pastoral and DSL at St Clare’s Oxford, a sixth-form IB college. Prior to that, from 2014 to 2018, she served as the Head of Pastoral Care, Director of Boarding, and DSL at The Royal School in Haslemere, an all-through school with an age range from 6 weeks old to 18. Her earlier experience includes a role as Head of Boarding at Cobham Hall in Kent from 2006 to 2014. Her teaching and boarding career started at King’s Ely. Ellen is a specialist in Science and History.
David Walker FTIOB, Executive Director, Boarding and Director, BSA/TIOB
David Walker has over 20 years’ experience in boarding education, having worked in a variety of schools across the UK and Africa. His career includes leadership roles in both senior and prep school settings, complemented by service as a prep school governor and trustee of a multi-academy trust. Before joining the BSA, David was Deputy Head Pastoral at a large co-educational independent school in the South-East, where he oversaw student welfare and pastoral care. His extensive background in safeguarding, boarding leadership, and governance gives him a broad perspective on the sector, enabling him to support schools in delivering outstanding pastoral provision.
