Foundations for boarding school Governors – roles, responsibilities, and collective governance. How to question and challenge

• Date: September 16, 2025
• Time: 16:00 – 18:00
• Cost: BSA Full Member – £135, BSA Affiliate Member – £170, Non-member – £270*
• Audience: All practitioners working with children and young people, DSL, DDSL in education settings in England. Governing bodies, proprietors, and management committees for settings in England.
• Platform: Zoom (online) – Webinar

Course outline:

Governance in Boarding Schools: Roles, Responsibilities, and Best Practice

This seminar offers a focused exploration of the unique roles and responsibilities of Governors in boarding schools.

The session will explore how governors demonstrate collective governance, support strategic leadership, and ensure the safeguarding and wellbeing of boarders. Delegates will also gain practical recommendations for developing their role, working effectively with senior leaders, and navigating the current landscape in the boarding sector.

A Q&A session will give attendees the opportunity to raise questions and discuss current issues.

Training topics will include:

• The roles and responsibilities of Governors in boarding schools
• What collective governance looks like in practice
• Developing the role of the Governor in a boarding context
• Understanding the boarding school landscape
• Building strong relationships and strategic alignment with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT)

Learning outcomes:

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Gain a clearer understanding of the responsibilities and expectations of Governors in boarding schools
• Increase confidence in contributing to board discussions and questioning strategic decisions
• Be equipped with best practice recommendations for demonstrating effective collective governance
• Understand how to work collaboratively with SLT to support the strategic and pastoral development of the school

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Speakers:

David Walker FTIOB, Executive Director, Boarding and Director, BSA/TIOB

David joined BSA Group in August 2023. He has over 20 years’ experience in boarding schools and has worked in a range of schools in the UK and Africa, alongside being a prep school governor and a trustee of a MAT. Before taking up his post at the BSA, David was Deputy Head Pastoral at a large co-ed independent school in the South-East.

Dale Wilkins, Executive Director, Scotland/Wales and Accredited/Compliance

Dale joined the BSA during Summer 2017 with responsibility for safeguarding and standards, having previously been a course tutor since 1998.  Dale leads on all safeguarding, inspection and compliance matters for BSA Group, including liaising with ISI, Ofsted and DfE in England, and leading on the group’s work in Scotland and Wales. He trains and delivers consultancy extensively for BSA and SACPA and is Vice Chair of the Group’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Advisory Board (SAFCAB).

For 31 years Dale was a boarding practitioner. After boarding positions at Norwich School and Tettenhall College, Dale became a Housemaster at Old Swinford Hospital in 1992, and was promoted to Deputy Head in 2007, and subsequently also DSL. He has also been a multi-agency trainer for the Dudley Safeguarding Children’s Board, is a safeguarding trainer for the Methodist Church, is a trustee of the National Youth String Orchestra and chair of a small performing arts charity. He also holds volunteer roles in sport and in the Scout Association.