Prep Boarding Conference 2026
🎧 Prep boarding staff, senior leaders, marketing and admissions
📍 Dragon School, Oxford
BSA Prep Boarding Conference 2026 is a one-day professional development event for educators and leaders in prep school boarding. The conference covers best practices in providing outstanding academic and pastoral care, managing pupil transitions, and key operational areas such as admissions, compliance, and staff retention. Expert-led sessions and a collaborative round table discussion will provide practical strategies and insights, with a special focus on the crucial topic of pupil wellbeing and sleep optimisation.
Training topics will include:
- Developing outstanding academic and pastoral provision, with a focus on supporting a smooth transition to senior boarding.
- Creating a strategic roadmap for marketing, admissions, compliance, and staff retention in prep boarding schools.
- Applying strategies to improve pupil wellbeing through optimised sleep environments and routines.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to:
- Identify and apply best practices for delivering outstanding academic, pastoral, and boarding provision in a prep school setting.
- Implement strategies that effectively support pupils in their transition from prep to senior boarding.
- Develop a strategic roadmap for marketing, admissions, and compliance that drives enrolment growth and meets inspection standards.
- Recruit and retain high-quality staff and pupils by addressing key challenges in the boarding sector.
- Apply practical techniques to promote healthier sleep and improve the overall wellbeing of boarding pupils.
Places are limited. Early booking is recommended.
Conference Programme
09:30 – 10:00 Registration & refreshments
Networking and arrival.
10:00 – 11.00 Why Prep Boarding Matters
Setting out the opportunity for prep and junior boarding and asking: what do we want children to say about having boarded with us?
What makes a truly exceptional boarding experience for younger pupils, and how can schools create an environment where every child feels valued, supported and connected?
This session explores the unique opportunities and responsibilities of prep and junior boarding, focusing on the importance of belonging, positive relationships, independence and personal development. Delegates will consider how everyday interactions, meaningful experiences and a strong boarding community can shape children’s confidence, happiness and lasting memories.
Through reflection on what we want children to say about their boarding experience, the session will encourage participants to identify practical ways to create a nurturing, engaging and enriching environment in which young boarders can thrive.
Speaker: Emma Goldsmith, Head, The Dragon School, Oxford
11:00 – 12:00 UKVI compliance: inspection ready in Prep Boarding
Staying informed about UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements is essential for prep schools sponsoring international boarding pupils. With regulatory expectations and compliance responsibilities continuing to evolve, prep schools must ensure their procedures, records and safeguarding arrangements remain robust and up to date.
This session will provide an overview of the latest UKVI rules, regulatory developments and inspection expectations relevant to prep boarding schools. Delegates will explore key compliance responsibilities, common areas of concern and practical approaches to maintaining effective systems and demonstrating compliance.
The session will also offer an opportunity to raise questions and discuss specific challenges with BSA Legal Partner and Immigration Solicitor, Kate Hollyer, helping schools strengthen their understanding and approach inspections with greater confidence.
Speaker: Kate Hollyer, Director, BSA Legal
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch, networking and boarding tour
An opportunity to connect with fellow prep boarding professionals, exchange experiences and discuss the opportunities and challenges facing prep boarding schools.
Delegates will have time to build professional relationships, share ideas and reflect on the morning’s discussions in an informal setting. An optional tour of the host school’s boarding facilities will provide an opportunity to explore the boarding environment and gain insights into approaches to creating welcoming, supportive spaces for younger pupils.
13:00 – 13:45 People make the place: Building Prep Boarding teams with energy and staying power
The success of any prep boarding community depends on the people who support, guide and care for its pupils. Recruiting, developing and retaining committed prep boarding staff is therefore essential to delivering a consistent, positive experience for young boarders.
This session will explore practical approaches to building resilient, motivated and effective prep boarding teams. Topics will include recruitment and induction, managing workloads and rotas, providing effective supervision, supporting professional development and recognising staff contributions.
Delegates will consider how strong leadership, supportive working practices and a positive team culture can improve staff wellbeing, strengthen retention and enable prep boarding professionals to find fulfilment and enjoyment in their roles.
Speakers:
- Liz Hutchings, Registrar, Head of Boarding, Junior King’s School, Canterbury
- Marcus Faulkner, Joint Head of Boarding, The Dragon School, Oxford
- Augusta Faulkner, Joint Head of Boarding, The Dragon School, Oxford
13:45 – 14:30 BSA Prep Boarding Forum meeting and round-table discussion
This interactive forum provides a valuable opportunity for prep boarding professionals to come together, share experiences and explore the key issues shaping the sector.
Through open discussion and collaborative exchange, delegates will be encouraged to reflect on emerging challenges, celebrate successful approaches and consider opportunities for improvement within their own prep boarding communities.
The session offers a supportive environment for professional networking, peer learning and practical problem-solving, enabling participants to gain fresh perspectives and take away ideas that can inform their work.
14:30 – 15:00 Refreshments and networking
A chance to continue conversations, exchange ideas and connect with colleagues from across the prep boarding sector before the final session of the day.
15:00 – 16:00 Safe, seen and heard: Safeguarding in the reality of Prep Boarding
Effective safeguarding goes beyond policies, procedures and inspection readiness. In a prep boarding environment, where staff play a central role in children’s daily lives, safeguarding must be embedded in everyday interactions, decision-making and the wider culture of care.
This session will explore what safeguarding looks like in practice within a busy prep boarding house, highlighting the importance of creating an environment where every pupil feels safe, listened to and supported.
Delegates will consider how staff awareness, professional boundaries, effective communication and a proactive safeguarding culture contribute to pupil wellbeing and protection. The session will encourage boarding professionals to reflect on their existing practices and identify ways to strengthen safeguarding as an integral part of daily boarding life.
Speaker: Dale Wilkins, Executive Director, Scotland/Wales and Accredited/Compliance, BSA
16:00 Conference ends
Speakers
Emma Goldsmith, Head, The Dragon School, Oxford
Emma Goldsmith has been Head of Dragon School, Oxford, since September 2021, becoming the first female Head in the school’s history. Previously Head of Winchester House School, where she won Tatler’s Best Head of a Prep School award in 2019, Emma brings extensive experience in teaching, boarding and educational leadership. Her career includes teaching at Oakham and Rugby Schools and serving as Deputy Head and Housemistress at Bloxham School, where she established its first girls’ boarding house. Emma is actively involved in the wider independent education sector, including work with IAPS and school governance, and is a passionate advocate for exceptional prep education and boarding.
Kate Hollyer, Director, BSA Legal
Kate Hollyer is Legal Director of Abitas Group and Director of BSA Legal Services Ltd. A qualified solicitor with over ten years’ experience advising on UK immigration law, Kate provides specialist legal guidance to BSA members on immigration, safeguarding and regulatory compliance matters. Before joining BSA in 2022, she was a Partner and Head of Department at a leading full-service UK law firm. Kate also brings valuable first-hand knowledge of boarding life, having lived in state, preparatory and senior school boarding houses with her Housemaster husband since 2014. Her combination of legal expertise and practical boarding experience provides a valuable perspective on the challenges facing schools.
Liz Hutchings, Registrar, Head of Boarding, Junior King’s School, Canterbury
Liz Hutchings is Registrar and Head of Boarding at Junior King’s School, Canterbury, bringing extensive experience in boarding education and pastoral leadership. A graduate of the University of Reading, where she specialised in English, Liz has worked in boarding throughout her teaching career. Her previous roles include Assistant Houseparent at Port Regis, Head of Year 4 and Housemistress at Junior King’s. She was appointed Head of Boarding in 2018 and has also served in senior pastoral and safeguarding roles. Liz is a passionate advocate for the opportunities provided by boarding and believes that strong pastoral care and a nurturing environment are central to children’s development and success.
Marcus Faulkner, Joint Head of Boarding, The Dragon School, Oxford
Marcus Faulkner is Assistant Head Boarding and Joint Head of Boarding at Dragon School, Oxford, where he works alongside Augusta Faulkner to support the school’s vibrant boarding community. His role focuses on providing a nurturing, welcoming and engaging environment in which young boarders can develop confidence, independence and lasting friendships. Marcus works closely with boarding houseparents and colleagues to promote a family-style approach to boarding, ensuring children feel supported and valued throughout their time at school. He is particularly committed to the positive experiences and relationships that help children flourish, and to creating a boarding culture that combines exceptional pastoral care with opportunities for adventure, personal growth and enjoyment.
Augusta Faulkner, Joint Head of Boarding, The Dragon School, Oxford
Augusta Faulkner is Joint Head of Boarding at Dragon School, Oxford, working alongside her husband, Marcus, to create a supportive and enriching boarding experience. A Durham University graduate, Augusta began her teaching career at the Dragon before spending six years teaching English and Maths and coaching rugby at Caldicott School. She subsequently returned to the Dragon, managing Charlbury House and later School House, before taking on her current boarding leadership responsibilities. Augusta has also led the school’s PSHEE department and has a particular interest in mental health and wellbeing. She is passionate about creating a positive boarding environment where children feel happy, supported and confident.
Dale Wilkins, Executive Director, Scotland/Wales and Accredited/Compliance, BSA
Dale Wilkins is Executive Director, Scotland/Wales and Accredited/Compliance at the Boarding Schools’ Association, where he leads on safeguarding, inspection and boarding standards. Joining BSA in 2017, Dale brought 31 years of experience as a boarding practitioner, including senior positions at Norwich School, Tettenhall College and Old Swinford Hospital, where he served as Housemaster, Deputy Head and Designated Safeguarding Lead. He has extensive experience in safeguarding training, regulatory compliance and inspection frameworks, working closely with ISI, Ofsted and the Department for Education. Dale also developed the BSA Self-Assessment Toolkit and plays a leading role in supporting boarding schools to maintain high standards of safeguarding and care.
