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UID:64220-1769509800-1769616000@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:BSA/TIOB - Annual Boarding Conference
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £595\n🎧 Current and aspiring boarding leaders\, including Deputy Heads and Heads of Boarding\n📍 Crowne Plaza\, Nottingham\n🏠 Accommodation not included. If you are unable to secure a room at the Crowne Plaza\, alternative hotels within a 10-minute walk include Garner Hotel Nottingham City Centre\, Hilton Nottingham\, Mercure Nottingham\, Roomzzz Aparthotel\, Park Plaza Nottingham and St James Hotel. \nHeadline sponsor: Witley Jones \n\nDon’t miss the 2026 Annual Boarding Conference! \nJoin colleagues from across the sector at the Crowne Plaza Nottingham for two unforgettable days of insight\, inspiration\, and connection. Explore the latest trends and opportunities in boarding\, dive into thought-provoking sessions\, and share best practice with peers in lively round tables and breakouts. \n⭐ “Very good for understanding what’s happening in boarding nationally and globally.”⭐ “A really enjoyable conference with great networking opportunities.” \nThis is your chance to network\, recharge\, and take away fresh ideas to energise your school community. And of course\, the highlight: the BSA/TIOB Annual Conference Dinner on January 27\, 2026\, following a sparkling drinks reception with live music. \nBook your place now and connect\, collaborate\, and be inspired! \nBOOK NOW \n\nProgramme: \nTuesday 27 January \n10:30 – 11:00 Registration \n11:00 – 11:15  Boarding360 – A full-circle view of boarding \nThis year’s conference theme\, ‘Boarding360 – A Full-Circle View of Boarding’\, invites us to reflect on the complete boarding experience: from the pupils in our care to the staff\, families\, and communities who shape their journey. Together\, we’ll explore how every element of boarding connects to create environments where young people flourish and pastoral teams thrive. \nThrough shared insight and collaboration\, ‘Boarding360’ encourages us to see boarding in its entirety\, celebrating its people\, its purpose\, and its power to transform lives. \nSpeaker: Katrina Handford\, Conference Chair and Head\, Kent College Pembury \n\n11:15 -12:15 Framing lives \nThe frameworks built around young people in the boarding environment shape not only their academic and social success\, but also their wider life trajectories. Drawing on both home and boarding-house experience\, the speaker\, whose husband previously served as a houseparent\, shares personal insights and professional expertise to explore how schools can influence identity\, belonging\, and independence. \nThrough compelling stories and reflective questions\, Michelle challenges delegates to consider how the narratives we create around boarding impact students’ sense of self\, resilience\, and readiness for life beyond school. Attendees will leave inspired to view the boarding experience as a transformative force\, one that frames lives far beyond the school gates. \nSpeaker: Michelle Griffith Robinson OLY \n\n12:15 – 13:00 Lunch and networking \n\n13:00 – 14:00 Global village round table \nFacilitated discussions on hot topics including boarding standards\, state boarding\, UKVI compliance\, marketing boarding and more. \n\n14:00 – 14:45 Bucking the boarding trend: The real story behind the numbers \nDespite frequent headlines suggesting that boarding is in decline\, the reality tells a very different story. Recent data from the BSA reveals that more pupils are boarding in UK schools than figures from the ISC census suggest. Across the sector\, schools are innovating to meet the needs of modern families\, with flexible\, weekly\, and tailored boarding options becoming increasingly popular\, particularly in prep schools. \nJoin our panel of sector experts to explore how schools are successfully growing their boarding numbers\, reshaping perceptions\, and championing the relevance of boarding in today’s educational landscape. \nPanel: \n\nLouis Yates\, Housemaster\, Lord Wandsworth College\nJane Hamblett-Jahn\, Director of Boarding\, Brighton College\nCamilla Luard\, Head of Boarding\, Bilton Grange School\n\n\n14:45 – 15:15 Conformity and its impact on adolescent behaviour and boarding culture \nHerman is the BSA’s 2025 Research Fellow. His research explores boarding culture\, particularly the situational influences that drive conformity and their impact on adolescent wellbeing\, alongside the development of situational awareness training for boarding staff. \nSpeaker: Herman Visagie\, Michael House\, South Africa \n\n15:15 – 15:45 Refreshments and networking \n\n15:45 – 16:45 Converting challenges to opportunities \nIn a rapidly changing educational landscape\, the ability to adapt\, innovate\, and inspire has never been more essential. Boarding school leaders are continuously navigating complex challenges\, from shifting family expectations and evolving student needs to increasing competition and public scrutiny. Yet\, within every challenge lies the seed of opportunity. \nDrawing on his experience as a transformational leadership expert\, Jim will share practical tools and mindsets for turning obstacles into powerful catalysts for growth. Known for helping leaders and teams achieve what once seemed impossible\, Jim offers insights into building courage\, resilience\, and clarity of purpose in times of uncertainty. \nThrough engaging storytelling and real-world examples\, this thought-provoking session will inspire leaders to reframe risk\, empower their teams\, and create cultures that embrace change with confidence. Delegates will leave with renewed energy\, actionable strategies\, and a fresh perspective on what it means to lead boldly in the world of boarding. \nSpeaker: Jim Lawless\, CEO\, SYMMETRY & Bestselling Author \n\n16:45 Day one conference close \n\n19:00 – 19:30 Drinks reception sponsored by IGTM \nMusic by Trent College students \n\n19:30 Annual conference dinner sponsored by Moore Barlow \nAfter-dinner speaker: Martin Reader FTIOB\, Chair\, BSA Foundation \n\nWednesday 28 January  \n09:30 – 10:00 State of the boarding nation \nThe latest trends\, concerns and opportunities as reported by BSA member schools around the world \nSpeaker: David Walker\, Executive Director\, Boarding and Director BSA/TIOB \n\n10:00 – 10:30 Creating cohesive boarding environments  \nThis session explores the “full circle” of pastoral care: from understanding student needs and nurturing community spirit\, to supporting staff wellbeing and building meaningful connections with parents. Delegates will gain insight into how schools can create cohesive boarding environments where every adult plays a role in shaping the culture and every pupil feels seen\, supported\, and valued. \nPanel: \n\nJessica Riege\, Senior Head of House\, YK Pao School\nTanya Lee\, Deputy Head (Pastoral)\, The King’s School Canterbury\nHerman Visagie\, Michael House\, South Africa\n\n\n10:30 – 10:45 What it means to employ a school nurse: the responsibilities that come with employing a school nurse \nSpeaker: Rosie McManus\, Nurse Advisor\, HIEDA \n\n10:45 – 11:15 Refreshments and networking \n\n11:15 – 12:15 Break out session \n1. Why offer staff supervision in boarding schools \nLessons from offering supervision and training to the education sector. \nSpeaker: Penny Sturt\, Lead Associate Training\, Talking Heads Supervision \n2. Leading with impact \nMastering the art of management \nSpeakers: \n\nTracy-Anne Barker\, Director\, The Managers Training Company\nKirstin Miller\, Business Manager\, The Managers Training Company\n\n3. Beyond the school gates: why the journey shapes the boarding experience \nWelcoming and supporting students before they even arrive. \nDavid Williams\, CEO\, IGTM \n4. Procuring sustainably \nEthical sourcing of boarding furniture that lasts. \nSpeakers: \n\nMatt Jones\, Director\, Witley Jones\nDave Manser\, Director\, Witley Jones\n\n5. Toolkit for frontline boarding staff \nManaging access requests\, incidents\, complaints and allegations. \nSpeakers: \n\nLily Bohling\, Solicitor\, Moore Barlow\nOlivia Stanton\, Senior Associate\, Moore Barlow\n\n\n12:15 – 13:15  Break out session \n1.Executive functions \nEquipping students with skills for life after school. \nSpeakers:  \n\nEmma Millo\, Assistant Head (Professional Development and EDI)\, Haileybury College\nBelinda Edington\, Managing Director\, MindSpark\n\n2. Employing a school nurse – getting it right for your school \nEnsuring you meet the school’s needs & NMC legal requirements. \nSpeaker: Rosie McManus\, Nurse Advisor\, HIEDA \n3. Predictive safeguarding: getting ahead of the problem \nUsing tech to simplify and improve safeguarding. \nSpeakers: \n\nHoong Kwan\, Founder\, CEO & CCO\, SEQRD\nNeil Buirski\, Founder & Director\, Marketing and Technology\, SEQRD\nArabella Northey\, Head of Partnerships and Communications\, SEQRD\n\n4. Good design will keep your boarding houses full \nExciting but affordable ideas for attractive accommodation. \nSpeakers: \n\nKarl Hearn\, Strategy Development Consultant\,Noble + Eaton\nJo Ladds\, Associate Education Consultant\, Noble + Eaton\nAndrew Lewer\, Senior UK Adviser\, Noble + Eaton\nDean Remmington\, Strategy Development Consultant\, Noble + Eaton\n\n5. Toolkit for frontline boarding staff \nManaging access requests\, incidents\, complaints and allegations. \nSpeakers: \n\nLily Bohling\, Solicitor\, Moore Barlow\nOlivia Stanton\, Senior Associate\, Moore Barlow\n\n\n13:15 – 14:00 Lunch and networking \n\n14:00 – 15:00 Keynote: Holding your nerve: leadership and resilience in boarding schools \nJo will share lessons on leading with courage and clarity\, drawing on her extensive experience ranging from flying a Tornado GR1 to global boardrooms. \nSpeaker: Dr Jo Salter MBE\, Britain’s first female fast jet pilot and author \n\n15:00 – 16:00 Regional inspection and compliance  \nAn update on the latest updates and implications for boarding with compliance specialists. \nSpeakers: \n\nKate Hollyer\, Executive Director – Legal\, BSA Group David Walker\, Executive Director\, Boarding and Director BSA/TIOB\nDale Wilkins\, Executive Director\, Scotland/Wales & Accredited/Compliance\, BSA Group\n\n16:00 Conference close \n\n🎤 Speakers: \nKatrina Handford\, Conference Chair and Head\, Kent College Pembury\n \nKatrina took on the headship at Kent College Pembury in January 2022\, having been Senior Deputy Head and Acting Head at Nottingham Girls’ High School\, GDST.  A History teacher by training\, following a degree in Economic and Social History at the University of Birmingham\, Katrina values the importance of equipping students with the skills needed to make a positive impact on the world. Her Masters in Education\, the GDST’s Aspiring Leadership Programme and the Executive Leadership Programme at the University of Oxford Saïd Business School have all provided a good grounding in school leadership\, preparing her to take on the headship at Kent College. \nKatrina believes in a learning environment which unlocks the potential of all though cutting-edge teaching and learning\, an extensive enrichment programme and outstanding pastoral care\, where all students can achieve above and beyond their potential. Her aim is to give students the opportunity to become resilient and compassionate leaders of the future\, ready to take up their place in the world as considerate and kind global citizens. \n\nMichelle Griffith Robinson OLY \nMichelle is a former Olympian and Triple Jumper who represented Great Britain for two decades\, including at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. The first woman to jump over 14 metres in the Commonwealth\, Michelle has since become a respected life coach\, personal trainer\, and ambassador for Diabetes UK. Drawing on her elite sporting experience\, she helps individuals and organisations build resilience\, confidence\, and a positive mindset. Michelle’s husband has worked and lived in boarding throughout his career\, giving her a deep understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges within boarding communities. A proud wife and mother of three\, Michelle is passionate about promoting wellbeing\, balance\, and self-belief in all areas of life. \n\nDr Jo Salter MBE BEng (Hons)\, MBA\, DA (h.c.)  \nDr Jo Salter MBE BEng (Hons)\, MBA\, DA (h.c.) is Britain’s first female fast jet pilot and a pioneering leader in aviation and transformative leadership. After flying the Tornado GR1 with 617 Squadron and instructing future pilots\, she transitioned into a global business career at PwC\, where she led transformative leadership and digital strategy initiatives. Now a speaker\, coach and advisor\, Jo inspires audiences on resilience\, inclusion and change. An author and advocate for ethical AI and inclusive leadership\, she was named Global Gurus’ No. 1 Motivational Speaker for 2025 and awarded an MBE and Honorary Doctorate for her service and leadership. \n\n \nJim Lawless\, CEO\, SYMMETRY and Bestselling Author \nBeginning his career as a solicitor\, Jim now helps clients adjust to the future of work and the constant rate of change in modern society. He has worked with the likes of ITV\, BP\, Fiat\, Virgin\, Vitality\, Xerox\, Microsoft\, Unilever and Apple. Author of “Taming Tigers: Do Things You Never Thought You Could”\, Jim has developed several rules to change a business or an individual’s life around. These rules have been tried and tested by Jim himself\, by becoming a televised jockey in 12 months and taking the British freediving record. Jim was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts in recognition of his business writing. \n\nMartin Reader\, Chair\, BSA Foundation \nMartin is a former Head of Cranleigh & Wellington Schools who now works as a consultant. He served as BSA Chair in 2018-19. He is a Fellow of the RSA\, Emeritus Fellow of the BSA and Trustee of the BSA Foundation. \n  \n  \n\n \nHerman Visagie\, Housemaster\, Michaelhouse (South Africa) \nHerman has over 15 years of boarding experience\, with previous roles including School Counsellor and Head of Life Orientation. He is currently a Housemaster at a leading boys’ boarding school in South Africa\, where he also teaches English. He holds a Master’s in Residential Education from the University of Buckingham and was awarded the BSA Fellowship for 2025/26. His research explores boarding culture\, particularly the situational influences that drive conformity and their impact on adolescent wellbeing\, alongside the development of situational awareness training for boarding staff. \n\nKate Hollyer\, Partner and Director\, BSA Group Legal Services Ltd \nA qualified solicitor with over 14 years’ experience in UK immigration law\, Kate advises and supports members on a full range of immigration matters. Before joining BSA in 2022\, Kate was Partner and Head of Department at a leading UK law firm\, where she built extensive expertise in complex immigration cases. Since 2014\, Kate has lived in boarding houses alongside her Housemaster husband\, giving her a unique\, first-hand perspective on the challenges and opportunities of boarding life. \n\n \nDavid Walker FTIOB\, Executive Director\, Boarding & Education and Director\, BSA/TIOB \nDavid has over 20 years’ experience in boarding. His career includes leadership roles in senior and prep school settings across the UK and Africa\, complemented by service as a prep school governor and trustee of a multi-academy trust. David was previously Deputy Head Pastoral at a large co-educational independent school\, where he oversaw student welfare. His background in safeguarding\, boarding leadership\, and governance gives him a broad perspective on the sector\, enabling him to support schools. \n\nDale Wilkins FTIOB\, Executive Director\, BSA Group Scotland/Wales and Accredited/Compliance \nDale joined the BSA in 2017 to lead safeguarding\, inspection\, and compliance across the UK\, building on his experience as a course tutor since 1998. He works closely with ISI\, Ofsted\, and the DfE\, while also overseeing the Group’s work in Scotland and Wales. A trainer and consultant for BSA and SACPA\, he is Vice Chair of SAFCAB. Dale previously spent 31 years as a boarding practitioner\, including roles as Housemaster and Deputy Head at Old Swinford Hospital. Beyond education\, he trains for the Methodist Church\, is a charity trustee\, chairs a performing arts organisation\, and volunteers widely. \n\n \nAileen Kane FTIOB\, Deputy CEO and COO\, BSA Group \nAileen is a seasoned marketing and communications strategist with extensive experience in driving business growth\, brand positioning\, and stakeholder engagement. At BSA Group\, she has led strategic marketing\, business development\, and organisational transformation with measurable impact. Her background spans marcomms\, public affairs\, and policy advocacy\, where she has shaped legislative discussions and built partnerships with government bodies\, including the DfE and the Home Office. With leadership roles across education and the charity sector\, Aileen is passionate about equipping organisations with effective\, data-driven strategies that deliver sustainable success. \n\nLouis Yates\, Housemaster\, Lord Wandsworth College \nLouis Yates is Housemaster of Sutton House at Lord Wandsworth College\, where he leads a vibrant community of boys aged 13–18 and has served as DSL for E-Safety\, as well as deputy DSL. With over a decade of experience in boarding school settings\, he has also served as Head of Sixth Form and SLT member\, led Psychology departments\, and began his career as a sports coach—an experience that continues to shape his relational\, character-focused approach. A proud family man and member of the Institute of Boarding\, Louis has contributed to its blog and plans to add more posts in the future. His leadership ethos\, shaped while completing a Master’s in Educational Leadership\, is values-driven and coaching-centred\, grounded in emotional intelligence\, and focuses on guiding young men through consistency\, meaningful conversation\, and positive role modelling. \n\nRosie McManus\, Nurse Advisor\, HIEDA \nTrained at Great Ormond Street\, Rosie made the move to the independent sector in 2006.  With an MA in Medical Ethics and Law and the Specialist Community Pubic Health Nurse qualification her passion remains promoting the Healthy Child Programme\, and promoting the visibility of school nurses in the independent sector. \n\nJessica Riege\, Senior Head of House\, YK Pao School \nJessica is the Senior Head of House at YK Pao School in Shanghai\, China with seven years’ in the position as Head of House. Since 2020\, she has led one of the girls’ boarding houses. She is a mentor and advocate\, central to student daily life. Her role focuses on wellbeing\, pastoral care\, and fostering an inclusive community where students thrive. Driven by a passion for teaching and training\, she guides both students and staff. Jessica’s experience and genuine dedication are vital to the nurturing boarding experience that YK Pao School is known for. \n\nEmma Millo\, Assistant Head (Professional Development and EDI)\, Haileybury College   \nAfter first studying psychology at Durham University Emma then studied for an MSc in physiotherapy at the University of Essex and worked with professional sports teams such as the All Blacks and at London 2012. She then moved into a career teaching psychology. She has worked at Haileybury College in Hertfordshire for the past 13 years\, spending 6 as a Housemistress of a senior girls house. Emma is currently Assistant Head with responsibility for Professional Development and EDI. \n\nBelinda Edington\, Managing Director\, The MindSpark Board \nBelinda Edington\, Director of MindSpark CIC\, leads a social enterprise that partners with schools\, charities\, and organisations to deliver evidence-informed programmes supporting self-regulation and executive function development across all ages. By exploring the neurobiological and relational foundations of learning and behaviour\, she bridges theory and practice through training and coaching that foster success in education\, work\, and relationships. Under her leadership\, MindSpark drives inclusive and impactful interventions that improve life outcomes. \n\nTanya Lee\, Deputy Head (Pastoral)\, The King’s School Canterbury \nTanya has been associated with the BSA for a while now\, initially through participating in and then moving onto tutoring for the Certificate course\, then the Diploma course\, and now dips her toes in occasionally when her arm is twisted to present on something. She served her apprenticeship in boarding experience through HSM roles at St Mary’s\, Wantage and Wycombe Abbey\, before becoming Head of Boarding at Headington. She was a boarding inspector for Ofsted and then ISI\, and she’s held the role of Deputy Head\, Pastoral at The King’s School\, Canterbury for a number of years now although she would argue that whilst the title stays the same the role evolves constantly. \n\nCamilla Luard\, Head of Boarding\, Bilton Grange School \nCamilla is Head of Boarding at Bilton Grange\, a prep school where boarding sits at the heart of daily life. The school’s commitment to boarding\, while responding to the needs of modern families\, is reflected in its recent investment in a warm and welcoming new boarding house\, complete with en‑suite rooms and a helter‑skelter slide. Camilla’s background includes co‑curricular leadership\, Houseparent role\, SENDCo work and teaching of Science and core subjects across prep\, primary and secondary settings. She is committed to pastoral care\, building relationships through open communication and trust to create a nurturing\, inclusive environment where pupils feel supported and able to thrive. \n\nJane Hamblett-Jahn\, Director of Boarding\, Brighton College \nJane has spent her whole teaching career in boarding\, firstly at Stowe where she was a Housemistress of a 6th Form girls’ house (whilst Head of Economics\, Politics\, Business and Netball) and then the inaugural Housemistress of a new build all the way through (13-18) girls’ house opened by Her Majesty\, Queen Elizabeth II. Jane has been the Director of Boarding (Deputy DSL and teacher of A-level Economics) at Brighton College since 2015 during which time the number of boarders has increased to 500 pupils and is due to rise again shortly as they’re about to build another 2 boarding houses. \n\nPenny Sturt\, Talking Heads Lead Associate \nPenny is a calm\, courageous\, challenging\, and compassionate professional with over 30 years’ experience as a qualified supervisor. As an Associate of Talking Heads\, she brings extensive experience from children’s social care\, CAMHS\, and education. Penny is deeply passionate about supervision as a means to sustain compassion\, support wellbeing\, and strengthen professional practice. She believes children learn best when they are safe and happy\, and that effective supervision helps leaders flourish\, build trust\, and nurture school communities where both staff and pupils can thrive. \n\n \nHelen Rose FTIOB MA NPQSL\, Assistant Principal – Welfare & Boarding\, The Worthgate School \nHelen is a seasoned education leader with over two decades’ experience shaping pastoral and boarding excellence across independent\, state and specialist school settings. As Assistant Principal (Welfare & Boarding) at The Worthgate School\, she blends strategic insight with practical leadership to champion cultures where students and staff thrive. Helen is the author of the Standards for Pastoral Professionals\, a framework designed to elevate care\, practice and career pathways across the sector\, and a passionate advocate for strengthening professionalism in boarding and pastoral roles as well as empowering pastoral professionals to deliver exceptional care with confidence and clarity. She regularly contributes to sector bodies including The Institute of Boarding and the Boarding Schools Association\, driving conversations on career development\, standards\, and impactful pastoral leadership. \n\n \nKarl Hearn\, Strategy Development Consultant\, Noble + Eaton \nKarl is a consultant at Noble + Eaton\, a subsidiary of the Envoplan Group\, working with schools and colleges on strategic planning\, estates development and investment decision-making. His work is centred on improving student outcomes through proven strategies that balance educational ambition with long-term financial sustainability. \nKarl supports senior leaders and governors in making confident\, well-informed decisions that maximise return on investment while enhancing the student experience. He is valued for his thoughtful\, practical approach and his ability to help institutions turn strategic priorities into clear\, achievable plans. \n\nAndrew Lewer\, Senior UK Adviser\, Noble + Eaton \nAndrew Lewer MBE is Senior UK Advisor for Noble+Eaton. Among his other roles in the independent education sector\, he is a columnist and editorial board member of Independent School Management Plus\, an independent school governor\, a Council member of TISCA (The Independent Schools Christian Alliance)\, an Educational Consultant for MTM Consulting and an Associate Partner of Anderson Quigley. As an MP\, 2017-24\, he founded and chaired the All Party Parliamentary Group for Independent Education and served on the Education Select Committee. He has been an MEP\, a County Council Leader and a UNESCO World Heritage Site Chairman. \n\nJoanne Ladds\, Associate Education Consultant\, Noble + Eaton \nJoanne is an educational consultant and learning space designer with two decades of experience in the education sector. With a lifetime devoted to learning\, Joanne’s work shows an unwavering dedication to creating thriving educational spaces. As a consultant\, researcher\, and speaker\, Joanne is a member of the Noble+Eaton team part of the Envoplan Group. Joanne is passionate about educational change and is dedicated to creating strategically designed and inclusive learning spaces. Her approach is deeply rooted in evidence-led and pupil-centric methodologies that foster growth and encourage all students to thrive. \n\nTracy-Anne Barker\, Director\, The Managers Training Company \nTracy-Anne is a UK-based former director and senior leader in commercial\, public and charity education organisations. She now trains and coaches leaders and managers across the education sector. With over 30 years’ experience\, she has supported thousands of managers\, team leaders and supervisors. Her career has been shaped by people who believed in her potential\, a belief that underpins her work today. Tracy-Anne champions the view that background need not limit progress if opportunity is seized and effort applied. Having learned lessons early in management\, she helps others build foundations\, reflected in her book. \n\n \nDavid Williams\, CEO\, IGTM \nDavid is the co-founder of I-GTM\, the leading provider of a travel record-keeping and management solution designed specifically for UK boarding schools. His mission is to ensure that schools receive precisely what they need from I-GTM — capturing accurate records of the boarder roll and streamlining travel planning while enhancing safeguarding\, efficiency\, and compliance. I-GTM’s technology addresses the challenges of student travel\, offering a centralised platform that empowers schools to oversee\, monitor\, and manage travel records with confidence. \n\nMatt Jones\, Director\, Witley Jones \nMatt is the son of Witley Jones Furniture’s founders and has seen the company grow from the dining room table at home some 28 years ago to the company it is today working with over 450 independent school customers around the country and overseas. Having worked in all facets of the business in his younger years Matt studied Marketing at UWE and spent a couple of years in other industries before joining the family business full time in 2012. Matt was made a Director in 2018 as his parents started to move away from the day to day running of the family business. \n\nDave Manser\, Director\, Witley Jones \nDave joined Witley Jones in 2008\, as a general factory operative. He soon split his time between the factory and installing furniture at a whole host of schools across the UK\, gaining valuable experience and forging important relationships along the way. He moved into the drawing office after a few years\, which added another important skill to his repertoire and further enhanced his understanding of key technical details\, before eventually progressing to a customer facing role in 2017. Dave’s wealth of knowledge and experience within the independent school sector has been a valued asset to Witley Jones and it’s customer base and he was appointed a statutory Director in May 2024. \n\nLily Bohling\, Solicitor\, Moore Barlow \nLily is a Solicitor in Moore Barlow’s Schools team\, specialising in employment and education law. \nLily advises on a range of education law aspects\, as well as both contentious and non-contentious employment law matters.  In particular\, Lily has recently advised schools on grievance and disciplinary processes\, dismissal strategy\, safeguarding matters\, employment contracts and subject access requests. \nOutside of work\, she is the Secretary of her local Junior Lawyers Division and a member of the Association of Women Solicitors. \nIn her free time\, she enjoys exploring new places\, keeping fit and singing. \n\nOlivia Stanton\, Senior Associate\, Moore Barlow \nOlivia is a Senior Associate in Moore Barlow’s Schools team.  She specialises in employment and education law. \nOlivia advises on a range of areas\, including safeguarding and managing abuse allegations\, data protection and subject access requests\, parent contracts\, and contentious and non-contentious employment law issues.  She drafts contracts of employment and various policies and procedures\, and she also advises on the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. \nHer approach is to provide practical and helpful advice that will help schools to achieve their objectives. \nIn her free time\, she enjoys exploring new places\, and has travelled extensively throughout South East Asia\, South America and the USA. \n\nHoong Kwan\, CEO and CCO \nHoong Kwan\, CEO and co-founder of SEQRD\, whose interest in digital safeguarding was piqued as he watched his sons and their interaction with technology. Hoong’s approach to digital safeguarding is shaped by more than 25 years’ experience as a strategist in telecoms\, IT and cybersecurity. He has led the company from concept to commercialisation as they launched their platform\, SchoolsMobile. In just 3 years from concept\, SchoolsMobile now protects thousands of children across schools in the UK. \n\nNeil Buirski\, Founder & Director\, Marketing & Technology \nNeil Buirski is the co-founder of SEQRD\, bringing more than 30 years of business experience across media\, technology\, and digital innovation. An online pioneer and e-commerce expert\, he launched the UK’s first online magazine subscription service and has since led the development of scalable digital products at the intersection of content\, technology\, and user experience. \nAlongside his professional background\, Neil is also a parent of two teenage girls – he saw first-hand how complex and confusing the digital world can be for children and families. His focused on creating practical solutions that help children build healthy digital habits and enable parents and schools to foster positive technical experiences with confidence and clarity. \n\nArabella Northey\, Head of Partnerships and Communications \nFollowing eighteen years in education across diverse school environments\, Arabella has cultivated a deep understanding of pedagogy and the evolving landscape of learning and the digital world. Having completed her NPQH\, she worked with schools and senior leaders to embed thinking skills\, metacognition and self-regulation strategies within their curriculum. \nHer role as Head of Partnerships and Communications at SEQRD has enabled her to combine her expertise in metacognition\, technology and safeguarding. This position has given her the opportunity to help schools and parents support their pupils to thrive online and navigate digital spaces safely. \n\nThis event will be held jointly with:
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/bsa-tiob-annual-boarding-conference/
LOCATION:Crowne Plaza\, Nottingham\, Wollaton Street\, Nottingham\, NG1 5RH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Conference,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251124T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251124T133000
DTSTAMP:20251119T194637Z
CREATED:20251112T124316Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251119T194637Z
UID:61209-1763980200-1763991000@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:South West Forum
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ Free of charge\n🎧 Heads\, deputy heads\, boarding staff\n📍 Dean Close House\, 67 Lansdown Road\, Cheltenham\, GL51 6QD \n\nForum outline: \nBSA 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. \nDesigned 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. \nWhile many of our forums are held online for accessibility\, some meetings take place in person to offer more opportunities for networking and relationship-building. \nWhy attend? \n\nStay up to date with developments in the sector\nDiscuss local challenges and share region-specific insights\nContribute to a community of practice focused on continuous improvement\nAsk questions\, seek advice\, and offer support to peers\nHear updates from BSA and guest contributors.\n\nBOOK NOW \n\nSpeakers: \nAreti Bizior\, Warden\, Dean Close School\, BSA South West Forum Chair \nAreti became the fourth Warden of the Dean Close Foundation in September 2025. \nWith over twenty years of experience in both state and independent sectors\, in the UK and internationally\, Areti has held a variety of leadership roles\, including Head at Luckley House School and Deputy Head at Downe House. Alongside these roles she has served as a Governor in both state and independent schools\, as an ISI inspector and also as member of the Executive Committee of the Boarding Schools Association. She has an MBA from University College\, London and is currently completing an MSc at the University of Oxford. \n\nDavid Walker\, Executive Director\, Boarding and Director BSA/TIOB \nDavid is the Executive Director\, Boarding and Director BSA/TIOB  and joined the 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.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/south-west-forum-3/
LOCATION:Dean Close House
CATEGORIES:Forum,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251120T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251120T160000
DTSTAMP:20251117T171149Z
CREATED:20250813T140452Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251117T171149Z
UID:61201-1763629200-1763654400@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Irish boarding conference
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £110\n🎧 Heads\, Deputies\, Bursars\, all boarding staff\, EAL staff\, Admissions and Marketing.\n📍 Clongowes Wood College\, Kildare\, W91 DN40 \nPart of CPDSAVE: 4 tickets for the price of 3 across 1-day conferences \n\nSponsored by: \n \n\nThis year’s Irish Boarding Conference\, sponsored by Noble + Eaton\, welcomes an opportunity to reflect\, think creatively\, and share experiences with fellow boarding colleagues. Kindly hosted at Clongowes Wood College\, the programme will explore strategic ways to grow your school’s reach while tackling the latest local and international trends shaping boarding. \nWhether you’re a senior leader shaping boarding provision or a frontline practitioner driving the day-to-day experience\, this event offers the perfect blend of practical insights\, strategic thinking\, and peer-to-peer connection\, all within the unique context of Irish boarding. \nTraditionally attracting a combination of school leaders and boarding professionals\, the conference is open to member and non-member schools and designed to provide insight and support best practice. \nEarly booking is recommended. \nBOOK NOW \n\nProgramme: \n09:30 – 10:00 Registration and refreshments \n\n10:00 – 10:15  Welcome \nDirector\, BSA\, David Walker will welcome delegates and outline the programme and key themes for the day. \n\n10:15 – 11:00 Tech Now: a strategic update for school leaders \nThis opening session will provide a thought-provoking exploration of the current issues around technology specific to the boarding landscape\, offering strategic insight into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for schools in Ireland and beyond. \n\nSpeaker: Wayne Denner\, speaker\, author and trainer\n\n\n11:00 – 11:30 Use of technology in boarding – a 360 view \n\nPanel: Wayne Denner\, speaker\, author and trainer\nJane McGarrigle\, National Coordinator\, Webwise\nPupils from Clongowes Wood College\n\n\n11:30 – 12:15 Safeguarding and child protection headlines 2025/26 \nThis session examines the latest safeguarding and child protection developments relevant to boarding schools. It will highlight forthcoming policy changes\, practical implications\, and emerging areas of risk\, equipping delegates to plan confidently for the 2025/26 academic year. \n\nSpeaker: Dale Wilkins\, Executive Director Accreditation/Compliance\, BSA Group\n\n\n12:15 – 12:45 Networking lunch \n\n12:45 – 13:15 Tour of the school \n\n13:15 – 14:00 Designing Thriving Spaces to Support Pupil Numbers \n\nSpeaker: Dr Joanne Ladds\, Associate Education Consultant\, Noble+Eaton\n\n\n14:00 – 14:45 Inspection and school improvement \nInspections are evolving\, and schools must adapt to meet changing expectations. This session unpacks inspection priorities in the Irish context and highlights how boarding schools can use the process as a lever for continuous improvement\, driving standards and outcomes across their communities. \n\nSpeaker: David Walker\, Executive Director\, Boarding and Director\, BSA/TIOB\, BSA Group\n\n\n14:45 – 15:00 Refreshments and networking \n\n15:00 – 15:30 Cultural competence in boarding \nThis concise session explores cultural awareness as an essential part of boarding practice. Delegates will consider how to build inclusive communities where every pupil feels respected\, valued\, and supported in their identity. \n\nSpeaker: Bethan Hudson\, Executive Director\, Consultancy and Director\, BAISIS/HIEDA\, BSA Group\n\n\n15:00 – 15:30 Bursars’ discussion forum \n\nFacilitator: Kathleen Sweeney\, Scotland and All-Ireland Regional Secretary\, ISBA\n\n\n15:30 – 16:00 Making the most of your GAP and Graduate boarding assistants \nGAP students and graduate assistants can add real value to boarding life. This session looks at effective ways to recruit\, train\, and support these staff members\, ensuring they enrich the boarding experience while also developing their own skills and confidence. \n\nSpeaker: Ken James\, General Manager\, Letz Live\n\n\n16:00 Conference close \n\nSpeakers: \nWayne Denner\, speaker\, author and trainer \nWayne is a seasoned specialist in Online Safeguarding\, Cybersecurity and Digital Engagement with over 25 years of international experience. He is the leading trainer and TF HSB (technology facilitated harmful sexual behaviour) consultant in Ireland\, specialising in train the trainer learning at scale to empower individuals and organisations to protect themselves online. Wayne partners and collaborates with a diverse range of organisations across Ireland\, the UK\, Europe\, Canada\, USA and the Middle East\, delivering in-person and virtual training. \n  \n\nJane McGarrigle – National Coordinator\, Webwise  \nJane oversees the development and delivery of Webwise – the Irish internet safety awareness centre. Within her 9 years\, Jane has led the development of a range of award-winning internet safety programmes for children\, parents\, teachers and schools. McGarrigle also has responsibility for the coordination and promotion of Safer Internet Day in Ireland.  Jane sits on the Steering Committee of Media Literacy Ireland\, is an active member of the Insafe network and recently sat on the Department of Education Anti-Bullying Steering Committee and the National Advisory Council for Online Safety. \n\n \nDale Wilkins\, Executive Director\, Scotland/Wales and Accredited/Compliance \nDale joined the BSA in 2017 to lead safeguarding\, inspection\, and compliance across the UK\, building on his experience as a course tutor since 1998. He works closely with ISI\, Ofsted\, and DfE\, and oversees the Group’s work in Scotland and Wales. A trainer and consultant for BSA and SACPA\, Dale is Vice Chair of SAFCAB. Previously\, he was a boarding practitioner for 31 years\, including Housemaster and Deputy Head at Old Swinford Hospital. He also trains for the Methodist Church\, is a trustee of the National Youth String Orchestra\, chairs a performing arts charity\, and volunteers in sport and Scouting. \n\n \nBethan Hudson MTIOB\, Executive Director\, Consultancy and Director\, BAISIS/HIEDA \nBethan joined the BSA team as Training Manager in September 2017. She has worked in two independent boarding schools in the UK and Switzerland\, where she was Housemistress to 36 pupils. After Switzerland\, she became Pastoral Manager at an inner-city state academy before leading the Debrett’s Foundation training programme. At BSA\, Bethan plans and manages Day Seminars\, Conferences\, INSET\, and Consultancy\, as well as serving as Director of BAISIS. Passionate about CPD\, she believes boarding can be a powerful force for young people and is committed to ensuring staff are fully equipped to support their needs. \n\nDavid Walker FTIOB\, Executive Director\, Boarding and Director\, BSA/TIOB \nDavid 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. \n\nKathleen Sweeney\, Scotland and All-Ireland Regional Secretary\, ISBA \nKathleen joined ISBA in April 2023\, bringing over 16 years of experience as a Bursar in a Scottish independent school and six years on the Board of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools. Well known in the sector\, she understands the challenges facing Scottish members and is keen to learn from Irish and Northern Irish colleagues. Before becoming a Bursar\, she spent 21 years in Higher Education and now serves on the Board of a Further Education College\, giving her deep insight across all levels of education. \n\nKen James\, General Manager\, Letz Live  \nKen is the General Manager of Letz Live\, which provides gap assistants and graduates to over 80 schools and activity centres across the world.  He’s a former head of a Letz Live school and has over 20 years. experience in boarding\, both in the UK and Australia.  He oversees the recruitment of 800 participants each year in the UK\, Australia\, New Zealand\, Thailand and Ireland.  Chair and vice-chair of two governing bodies\, he remains active within the sector and is available to provide support and advice to partner schools both before and during placements. \n\n \nDr Joanne Ladds\, Associate Education Consultant\, Noble+Eaton
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/irish-boarding-conference-3/
LOCATION:Clongowes Wood College
CATEGORIES:Conference,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251119T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251119T123000
DTSTAMP:20251023T140031Z
CREATED:20251001T122626Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T140031Z
UID:66296-1763548200-1763555400@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Marketing & Admissions Forum
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ FREE for BSA members\n🎧 Marketing & Admissions\n📍 Guildhouse School\, 43-45 Bloomsbury Square\, London\, WC1A 2RA – or join us online \n\nWe are excited to launch our Marketing & Admissions Forum this autumn. BSA forums are free for BSA member schools\, and are a great space to share stories\, swap ideas\, and expand your network. \nAt our first meeting you can expect to: \n\nHear from guest speakers Studio Certain on how to ensure your school brand remains relevant and resonant\nDiscuss challenges facing marketing and admissions teams with others who ‘get it’\nHear updates from BSA.\n\nEmail bsa@boarding.org.uk to book\, stating whether you will be attending in person or online. \n\n10:00-10:30 Registration\, tea and coffee\nFor those attending in person. \n10:30-11:15 Studio Certain: Rooted and relevant. How looking back can move your brand forward\nA school’s brand is far more than a crest or a colour palette; it’s the embodiment of your history\, values and the promises made to pupils\, parents\, and the wider community. Yet\, as markets shift\, expectations evolve and competition increases\, even the most respected schools must adapt. The challenge lies in how you can celebrate history and tradition while informing the future. In this session with the Founder and Creative Director of Studio Certain\, we’ll share practical insights on how to move your brand forward without losing your heritage\, including how to recognise the signs that change is needed; harness heritage and build trust; engage governors\, staff\, alumni\, parents and pupils in the process; and avoid common pitfalls that risk alienating your existing audience. \n11:15-12:00 Maximising impact in marketing and admissions: strategies\, recruitment trends\, and agent partnerships\nJoin colleagues from the BSA Marketing and Admissions Network for an engaging discussion exploring how boarding schools can strengthen marketing and admissions strategies in a rapidly changing landscape. This session aims to unpack the latest recruitment trends\, consider the evolving role of international and domestic agents\, and share practical approaches to delivering strategies that drive real impact. \n12:00-12:30 State boarding round table\nA round table for those working in marketing and admissions in state boarding schools. \n\nSpeakers \nPhil Dean\, Managing Director\, Studio Certain\nPhil began his career as a graphic designer in his hometown of Leeds and now runs his agency Studio Certain in central London. He has run both small and large advertising agencies in Leeds\, London\, Glasgow\, New York and Bangalore and has worked with blue chip brands such as Nike\, Virgin\, Guinness\, Formula 1\, Toyota\, Jaguar to name but a few. He’s also an established artist and has exhibited and sold art in New York and London. \n  \n\nPaul Irwin\, Creative Director\, Studio Certain\nFor 20 years\, Paul has worked in boutique and fully integrated agencies across sectors from professional services to the performing arts. Whether he’s developing brands\, defining strategies\, or directing brand films\, he leads every project with passion and precision. Paul’s expertise lies in distilling complex brand stories into clear\, emotionally driven messaging. As Creative Director of Studio Certain\, Paul inspires his team to push boundaries with intelligence. With a keen eye on trends and emerging technologies\, he continuously evolves strategies to keep brands relevant now and ready for what’s next. \n\n \nAileen Kane FTIOB\, Deputy CEO and COO\, BSA Group\nAileen is a seasoned marketing and communications strategist with extensive experience in driving business growth\, brand positioning\, and stakeholder engagement. At BSA Group\, she has led strategic marketing\, business development\, and organisational transformation with measurable impact. Her background spans marcomms\, public affairs\, and policy advocacy\, where she has shaped legislative discussions and built partnerships with government bodies\, including the DfE and the Home Office. With leadership roles across education and the charity sector\, Aileen is passionate about equipping organisations with effective\, data-driven strategies that deliver sustainable success. \n 
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/marketing-admissions-forum/
CATEGORIES:Forum,In-person,Online
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251106T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251106T120000
DTSTAMP:20250908T150316Z
CREATED:20250701T213859Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250908T150316Z
UID:61203-1762421400-1762430400@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:South East Forum
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ Free of charge\n🎧 Heads\, deputy heads\, boarding staff\n📍 Ardingly College\, College Rd\, Ardingly\, Haywards Heath RH17 6SQ \n\nForum outline: \nBSA 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. \nDesigned 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. \nWhile many of our forums are held online for accessibility\, some meetings take place in person to offer more opportunities for networking and relationship-building. \nWhy attend? \n\nStay up to date with developments in the sector\nDiscuss local challenges and share region-specific insights\nContribute to a community of practice focused on continuous improvement\nAsk questions\, seek advice\, and offer support to peers\nHear updates from BSA and guest contributors.\n\nBOOK NOW \n\nSpeakers: \nPeter Goodyer\, BSA South East Forum Chair\, Head\, Bedes Senior School \n  \n  \n  \n\nDavid Walker\, Executive Director\, Boarding & Education and Director\, BSA/TIOB \nDavid is the Executive Director\, Boarding and Director BSA/TIOB  and joined the 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.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/south-east-forum/
LOCATION:Virtual – Zoom\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Forum,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251105T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251105T130000
DTSTAMP:20251027T111643Z
CREATED:20250701T210411Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T111643Z
UID:61189-1762338600-1762347600@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Northern Forum
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ Free of charge\n🎧 Heads\, deputy heads\, boarding staff\n📍 St Peter’s School\, York \n\nForum outline: \nBSA 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. \nDesigned 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. \nWhile many of our forums are held online for accessibility\, some meetings take place in person to offer more opportunities for networking and relationship-building. \nWhy attend? \n\nStay up to date with developments in the sector\nDiscuss local challenges and share region-specific insights\nContribute to a community of practice focused on continuous improvement\nAsk questions\, seek advice\, and offer support to peers\nHear updates from BSA and guest contributors.\n\nBOOK NOW
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/northern-forum/
LOCATION:St Peter’s School\, York
CATEGORIES:Forum,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251105T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251105T163000
DTSTAMP:20251105T064441Z
CREATED:20250828T072953Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251105T064441Z
UID:64869-1762335000-1762360200@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Annual Safeguarding Conference
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ £250-500\, with additional tickets from £125\n🎧 All those involved in safeguarding\n📍 In person – Broadway House\, Tothill St\, London SW1H 9NQ \nPart of CPDSAVE: 4 tickets for the price of 3 across 1-day conferences \n\nJoin us at our Annual Safeguarding Conference\, taking place in person. \nThe Annual Safeguarding Conference\, sponsored by Seqrd Technology\, is a one-day professional development event bringing together safeguarding leaders\, practitioners\, and partners from across education\, care\, and related sectors. The programme provides a comprehensive update on emerging safeguarding risks\, lessons from key national inquiries\, and practical strategies for strengthening safeguarding practice. Through expert-led sessions\, case studies\, and interactive discussions\, delegates will explore resilience\, compliance\, youth engagement\, and the challenges of digital safeguarding. The day concludes with the Annual Safeguarding Awards\, recognising excellence and innovation in safeguarding practice. \nTraining Topics \n\nResilience in Safeguarding Practice\nEmerging Risks in Safeguarding\nLessons from IICSA\nPartnerships and Professional Collaboration\nYouth Voice in Safeguarding\nDigital Safeguarding\nLearning Outcomes\n\nBy the end of the conference\, participants will be able to: \n\nApply resilience-building strategies to maintain personal wellbeing and professional effectiveness in safeguarding roles.\nRecognise and respond to emerging risks such as radicalisation\, misogyny\, and online harms\, while fulfilling Prevent responsibilities.\nInterpret the lessons of IICSA and integrate key recommendations into safeguarding frameworks and practice.\nStrengthen collaborative practice with LADOs and other safeguarding partners to ensure robust case management.\nEmbed youth voice into safeguarding strategies\, ensuring young people are heard\, respected\, and protected.\nIdentify and mitigate current digital safeguarding threats\, applying proactive approaches to protect children and young people across online platforms.\n\nBOOK NOW \nThis event will be held jointly with: \n \n\n09:30 – 10:00 Registration and refreshments \n\n10:00 – 10:15 MOT for safeguarding professionals: Resilience Building in Safeguarding \nThis session focuses on supporting safeguarding professionals by exploring resilience-building strategies to sustain wellbeing and effectiveness in demanding roles. \n\nSpeaker: Dr Mariya Ali\, Director\, SACPA\n\n\n10:15 – 11:00 Emerging Risks Safeguarding: Radicalisation\, Misogyny and Prevent responsibilities for schools \nThis session examines the growing safeguarding risks linked to radicalisation and misogyny\, outlining schools’ Prevent duties and practical responses. \n\nSpeaker: Dr Craig McCann\n\n\n11:00 – 11:15 Refreshments and networking \n\n11:15 – 12:00 Lessons from IICSA \nThis session reflects on the findings of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA)\, highlighting key lessons for safeguarding practice across education settings. \n\nSpeaker: Fiona Scolding KC\n\n\n12:00 – 12:15 Communication in Isolation \nToby shares his lived experience of his inner struggles that he shared with the school counsellor. He reflects as a young adult the importance of communication between the key professionals in the school and his parents that would have been key to his recovery from addiction. He advocates for effective communication and working together in safeguarding. \n\nSpeaker: Toby Watson\n\n\n12:15 – 13:00 Networking lunch \n\n13:00 – 13:45 Working effectively with LADOs    \nThis session explores how to collaborate productively with Local Authority Designated Officers (LADOs) to ensure robust safeguarding case management. \n\nPanel: Alice Vicary-Stott\, Director of Safeguarding\, DSL\, Senior Mental Health Lead\, Eton College\nLiz Sale\, Head of Safeguarding (DSL)\, Rugby School\nRachel Whitton\, Deputy Head Pastoral\, DSL\, St Teresa’s School\nDale Wilkins\, Executive Director Accreditation/Compliance\, BSA Group\n\n\n13:45 – 14:30 Youth Voice in Safeguarding \nThis session emphasizes the importance of embedding children and young people’s voices in safeguarding\, ensuring that practice reflects lived experiences. \n\nPanel: Christine Kane\, Deputy Head (Safeguarding)\, Marlborough College and Council Member\, The Football Association\nDale Wilkins\, Executive Director Accreditation/Compliance\, BSA Group\nHoong Kwan\, Chief Executive Office\, SeQrd Technology\nPupils from Marlborough College\n\n\n14:30 – 15:00 Refreshments and networking \n\n15:00 – 15:30 Safeguarding Across Boarders\, Hidden Risks: Fraud\, Scams\, and Cultural Barriers Facing International Students \nThis session highlights the challenges and considerations of safeguarding in international or cross-border contexts\, with a focus on collaboration and information-sharing. \n\nSpeaker: Damian Cranny\, Fraud Protection Officer\, Dorset Police\n\n\n15:30 – 16:15 Digital dangers and trends \nThis session addresses emerging digital risks facing children and young people\, offering insights into trends and strategies for safer online environments. \n\nSpeaker: Karl Hopwood\, SACPA Chair\n\n\n16:15 – 16:30 Annual Safeguarding Awards \nThis session celebrates excellence in safeguarding practice through the presentation of the Annual Safeguarding Awards. \n\n16:30 Conference close \n\nSpeakers: \nDr Mariya Ali\, Director\, SACPA \nMariya Ali is Director of SACPA and an internationally recognised safeguarding and child protection expert. With over two decades’ multidisciplinary experience in legal\, academic\, advisory\, and leadership roles\, she is strongly committed to advancing child rights and welfare. Formerly Deputy Minister in the Maldives\, she led national reforms in child protection policy and legislation. Internationally\, she has worked with UNICEF\, Save the Children\, and Lumos Foundation on child sexual abuse\, exploitation\, and systems reform across South Asia and beyond. An academic and practitioner\, Mariya has published widely and specialises in trauma-informed\, survivor-centred\, and systems-based safeguarding approaches. \n\nDr Craig McCann \nCraig is a specialist adviser and researcher on the Counter Terrorism Prevent Strategy and associated Channel programme. As a former senior CT police officer having served within the Metropolitan Police Service and the National CT Headquarters\, he has extensive experience of the delivery of Prevent across the UK. He has also led the international delivery of research\, project delivery and capacity building across a range of operational contexts including the Western Balkans\, East Africa and Asia. He is a published author and has a PhD in comparative politics exploring how the Prevent Strategy is applied to right-wing extremism. He currently works as the Investigator within the Office of the Independent Prevent Commissioner.  \n\nFiona Scolding KC \nFiona has practised in the field of public law with an emphasis upon work concerning children and vulnerable adults for 28 years.  She is ranked as a leading education and court of protection barrister in the legal directories.  She has been involved in many cases concerning safeguarding in settings involving children and adults and has led investigations into abuses of power in educational\,  health and charitable settings. \n\nDamian Cranny\, Fraud Protection Officer\, Dorset Police \nDamian is a Fraud Protection Officer with Dorset Police’s Economic Crime Unit and certified NLP Practitioner. He combines traditional policing with psychological insights to combat fraud through innovative education. His 24-lesson secondary school program explores fraud psychology\, while his romance fraud awareness campaign achieved a 323% increase in victim reporting within two weeks. Damian develops presentations that merge real-world police experience with NLP techniques\, helping educators understand criminal manipulation tactics. At conferences\, he focuses on protecting students from fraud targeting and building resilience against social engineering attacks through comprehensive safeguarding approaches. \n\nKarl Hopwood\, SACPA Chair \nKarl Hopwood is an independent online safety expert and member of the UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS)\, where he sits on several working groups. He serves on the advisory board of the UK Safer Internet Centre and the Roblox Trust and Safety board\, and has advised TikTok on harmful challenges. Karl works closely with Internet Matters\, Ofcom\, and schools across Europe to promote digital literacy and safer online behaviours. A former headteacher\, he has consulted for INSAFE for 19 years\, coordinating helplines and awareness centres. He currently chairs Childnet International and SACPA\, and previously chaired the Marie Collins Foundation. \n\n \nChristine Kane\, Deputy Head (Safeguarding)\, Marlborough College and Council Member\, The Football Association \nChristine serves as Senior Non-Executive Director at the Oxfordshire FA and sits on the boards of Nottingham Forest Community Trust and Everyone’s Invited.  With previous roles at SSAFA\, the UK Ministry of Defence\, and Aston Villa Football Club. \n\n \nDale Wilkins\, Executive Director\, Scotland/Wales and Accredited/Compliance \nDale joined the BSA in 2017 to lead safeguarding\, inspection\, and compliance across the UK\, building on his experience as a course tutor since 1998. He works closely with ISI\, Ofsted\, and DfE\, and oversees the Group’s work in Scotland and Wales. A trainer and consultant for BSA and SACPA\, Dale is Vice Chair of SAFCAB. Previously\, he was a boarding practitioner for 31 years\, including Housemaster and Deputy Head at Old Swinford Hospital. He also trains for the Methodist Church\, is a trustee of the National Youth String Orchestra\, chairs a performing arts charity\, and volunteers in sport and Scouting. \n\nLiz Sale\, Head of Safeguarding\, Rugby School \nLiz has 25 years of teaching experience\, where she has worked in a range of settings in the UK and in Australia.  Liz has twice been a Head of Science\, but for most of her career has been heavily involved in pastoral care.  Liz has worked for the past 13 years at Rugby School\, where she was a boarding Housemistress for ten years and now serves on the senior management team as the Head of Safeguarding.  Liz is currently studying for an MSc in Advanced Child Protection at the University of Birmingham. \n\nRachel Whitton\, Deputy Head Pastoral\, DSL\, St Teresa’s School \nA Fellow of the Institute of Boarding\, Rachel Whitton has over twenty years’ experience working in boarding schools. She has served as Deputy Head (Pastoral) in two schools and as Designated Safeguarding Lead in three\, working across a range of boroughs. Rachel is proud to be the Vice Chair of the GSA Pastoral and Safeguarding Committee and a Safeguarding Governor at a primary school\, reflecting a long-standing commitment to the wellbeing and safety of young people. \n\nAlice Vicary-Stott\, Director of Safeguarding\, DSL\, Senior Mental Health Lead\, Eton College \nAlice leads all safeguarding and child protection matters at the school\, working closely with three Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads including the Deputy Head (Pastoral)\, the Deputy Head (Boarding)\, and the Safeguarding Co-ordinator\, Alice also manages the school’s mental health provision.  Alice holds a degree in Social Work and has extensive experience within Children’s Social Care. Before joining Eton\, she served as the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) for Kingston\, Richmond\, Windsor and Maidenhead\, where she oversaw child protection services and collaborated with schools\, police\, health\, and other partner agencies. She also chaired the National LADO Network\, promoting best practice in safeguarding nationwide. \n\nToby Watson \nToby specialises in addiction recovery and recovery coaching. His own lived experience provides him with insight into the struggles of the young people he works with\, and he believes that he can learn something from each client. \nIn 2021\, he co-founded Hatch Wellness at the age of 18\, an organisation that helps schools improve the education and support available for students around addiction and recovery. The goal is to create easily-accessible pathways to recovery by having young people share their own stories. \nWhen he’s not working\, Toby writes and performs music – a creative outlet that has been invaluable to him during his own recovery journey. He hopes that the people he works with will be able to rediscover themselves and their passions in the same way that he has.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/annual-safeguarding-conference/
LOCATION:Broadway House\, Tothill St\, London SW1H 9NQ
CATEGORIES:Conference,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251016T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251016T170000
DTSTAMP:20251016T135043Z
CREATED:20251016T135043Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251016T135043Z
UID:66977-1760601600-1760634000@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Northern Forum
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ Free of charge\n🎧 Heads\, deputy heads\, boarding staff\n📍 St Peter’s School\, Queen Anne’s Road\, York\, YO30 7WA \n\nForum outline: \nBSA 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. \nDesigned 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. \nWhile many of our forums are held online for accessibility\, some meetings take place in person to offer more opportunities for networking and relationship-building. \nWhy attend? \n\nStay up to date with developments in the sector\nDiscuss local challenges and share region-specific insights\nContribute to a community of practice focused on continuous improvement\nAsk questions\, seek advice\, and offer support to peers\nHear updates from BSA and guest contributors.\n\nBOOK NOW \n\nSpeakers:  \nJeremy Walker\, Head Master\, St Peter’s School\, York \n 
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/northern-forum-2/
CATEGORIES:Forum,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251007T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251007T170000
DTSTAMP:20251006T174026Z
CREATED:20250617T080807Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251006T174026Z
UID:61154-1759827600-1759856400@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Prep boarding conference
DESCRIPTION:  \n \n\n🏷️ From £110\n🎧 Prep boarding staff\, senior leaders\, marketing and admissions\n📍 Millfield Prep School \nPart of CPDSAVE: 4 tickets for the price of 3 across 1-day conferences \n\nBSA Prep Boarding Conference 2025 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. \nTraining topics will include: \n\nDeveloping outstanding academic and pastoral provision\, with a focus on supporting a smooth transition to senior boarding.\nCreating a strategic roadmap for marketing\, admissions\, compliance\, and staff retention in prep boarding schools.\nApplying strategies to improve pupil wellbeing through optimised sleep environments and routines.\n\nLearning Outcomes \nParticipants will be able to: \n\nIdentify and apply best practices for delivering outstanding academic\, pastoral\, and boarding provision in a prep school setting.\nImplement strategies that effectively support pupils in their transition from prep to senior boarding.\nDevelop a strategic roadmap for marketing\, admissions\, and compliance that drives enrolment growth and meets inspection standards.\nRecruit and retain high-quality staff and pupils by addressing key challenges in the boarding sector.\nApply practical techniques to promote healthier sleep and improve the overall wellbeing of boarding pupils.\n\nBOOK NOW \n\nProgramme:  \n09:30  – 10:00 Registration and refreshments   \n10:00 – 10:15 Welcome \n\n10:15  – 11:00 The best prep school provision \nThis session explores what defines outstanding prep school provision\, sharing best practice in academic\, pastoral\, and boarding excellence to support pupils’ success. \n\nSpeaker: David Walker\, Executive Director\, Boarding & Education and Director\, BSA/TIOB\n\n\n\n11:00 – 12:00 Prep boarding to senior boarding transition \nThis session examines how schools can best support pupils moving from prep boarding to senior boarding\, ensuring a smooth transition academically\, pastorally\, and socially. \n\nSpeaker: Millfield Prep Team\n\n\n\n12:00  – 13:00 Networking lunch. Sponsored by   \n\n13:00 – 13:45 Creating a marketing and admissions roadmap for prep boarding  \nThis session guides schools in developing an effective marketing and admissions roadmap for prep boarding\, focusing on strategies to attract families\, build engagement\, and secure enrolment growth.\n \n\nSpeaker: Aileen Kane\, Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer\, The BSA Group\n\n\n\n13:45 – 14:30 Prep boarding compliance and inspections \nThis session explores key compliance requirements and inspection frameworks for prep boarding\, offering practical guidance to ensure schools meet standards with confidence. \n\nSpeaker: Dale Wilkins MA (Ed)\, FTIOB\, Executive Director\, BSA Group Scotland/Wales and Accredited/Compliance\n\n\n\n14:30 – 15:00 Refreshment and networking. Sponsored by  \n\n15:00 – 15:45 Recruitment and retention\n \nThis session addresses the challenges of recruitment and retention in prep boarding\, sharing strategies to attract staff and pupils while sustaining long-term success. \nRound table discussion \n\n15:45 – 16:30 Maximising your boarding house for better sleep \nThis session explores how to optimise boarding house environments and routines to promote healthier sleep and improve pupil wellbeing. \n\nSpeaker: Dr Lindsay Browning\,  chartered psychologist\, neuroscientist and sleep expert\n\n\n\n16:30 Conference close  \n\nSpeakers: \nDavid Walker\, Executive Director\, Boarding & Education and Director\, BSA/TIOB \n \nDavid 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. \n\nDale Wilkins\, MA (Ed)\, FTIOB\, Executive Director\,  BSA Group Scotland/Wales and Accredited/Compliance  \nDale Wilkins joined the BSA in 2017 to lead safeguarding\, inspection\, and compliance across the UK\, building on his experience as a course tutor since 1998. He works closely with ISI\, Ofsted\, and the DfE\, while also overseeing the Group’s work in Scotland and Wales. A trainer and consultant for BSA and SACPA\, he is Vice Chair of SAFCAB. Dale previously spent 31 years as a boarding practitioner\, including roles as Housemaster and Deputy Head at Old Swinford Hospital. Beyond education\, he trains for the Methodist Church\, is a charity trustee\, chairs a performing arts organisation\, and volunteers widely. \n\nAileen Kane\, Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer\, BSA Group \nAileen Kane is a marketing and communications strategist with extensive experience in education\, specialising in brand positioning\, admissions\, and audience engagement. As Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer at BSA Group\, she leads strategic marketing\, admissions support\, and business development to help schools attract and retain boarding students. Her expertise spans marcomms\, operations\, and organisational growth across education\, legal services\, and the charity sector. Aileen has a proven track record of building influential partnerships\, shaping effective admissions strategies\, and driving sustainable growth. She is passionate about equipping schools with the tools to strengthen their                                      marketing and admissions impact. \n\nDr Lindsay Browning\, CEO\, Trouble Sleeping \nDr Lindsay Browning is a chartered psychologist\, neuroscientist\, and renowned sleep expert. She earned a master’s in neuroscience and a doctorate (DPhil) in insomnia from the University of Oxford\, with her thesis exploring the connection between worry\, rumination\, and sleeplessness. Founder of Trouble Sleeping in 2006\, she provides Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) to individuals and organisations\, including the NHS\, police\, airlines\, and charities. Dr Browning is also a bestselling author of Navigating Sleeplessness and a frequent media commentator on sleep issues. \n  \n\nGavin Horgan\, Head\, Millfield School \nGavin Horgan became Headmaster of Millfield in September 2018. Gavin was previously Headmaster of Worksop College in Nottinghamshire since 2012\, where he delivered academic turnaround aligned with a substantial building programme and whole school restructure.\nPrior to Worksop College\, Gavin’s earlier career included working internationally in schools in Sri Lanka and Argentina\, before returning to the UK in 2009 as Deputy Head of The Glasgow Academy\, an independent co-educational school with 1300 pupils. Gavin also has extensive experience of the state sector at schools in Hampshire and Lambeth. \n\nDan Thornburn\, Head\, Millfield Prep \nDan joined Millfield Prep in 2022 from Edgeborough School in Surrey\, where he has was head since 2017. He was previously head of St Petroc’s\, North Cornwall\, and his earlier teaching career included spells at Lockers Park and Chafyn Grove. Educated at Wrekin College\, Thornburn read history at Exeter University whilst playing rugby for the Exeter Chiefs 2nds. He also gained an MEd in Educational Leadership from the University of Buckingham.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/prep-boarding-conference/
LOCATION:Millfield School
CATEGORIES:Conference,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250910T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250910T120000
DTSTAMP:20250829T110906Z
CREATED:20250822T111217Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250829T110906Z
UID:65501-1757494800-1757505600@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:UKVI Student Sponsor Debrief
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ FOC for member schools\n🎧 Those responsible for Student sponsor compliance within BSA member schools\, admissions teams\, registrars\, marketing\, bursars\, heads\, deputies or heads of boarding.\n📍 Dulwich College\, London SE21 7LD \n\nCourse outline: \nBSA Legal would like to invite BSA member schools holding Student sponsor licences for a focused half-day debrief at Dulwich College on Wednesday September 10\, 09:00 – 12:00 following the May 2025 safeguarding policy changes affecting Student Sponsors and Child Student visa applicants. \nWith the summer surge behind us\, we’ll discuss: \n\nWhat changed and why\nUKVI insights and sector concerns\nCaseworker FAQs and common issues\nPractical guidance on compliance going forward\n\nLearning outcomes: \n\nA clear understanding of the policy changes\nPractical guidance on the actions schools need to take\nA chance to connect in a relaxed environment with boarding colleagues navigating the same challenges\n\nWho is this event for? \nThis event is suited to colleagues responsible for Student sponsor compliance within BSA member schools\, admissions teams\, registrars\, marketing\, bursars\, heads\, deputies or heads of boarding. \nPlease note: Places for this event are limited (maximum of 2 guests per member school booking). Admission will not be granted without RSVP. \nBOOK NOW \nThis event will be held jointly with: \n \n\nSpeakers: \nKate Hollyer\, Executive Director (Legal)\, BSA Group & Director (Solicitor)\, BSA Legal \nKate is Legal Director of BSA Group and Director of BSA Legal Services Ltd. As a qualified solicitor with more than 10 years’ experience advising clients on UK immigration law\, Kate assists members with all immigration and safeguarding legal matters. Prior to joining BSA in 2022 Kate was Partner and Head of Department at a leading full-service UK law firm. Having resided in state\, preparatory and senior school boarding houses since 2014 with her Housemaster husband\, Kate has a unique perspective of boarding life. \n\nMark Taylor\, Legal consultant\, BSAG Legal Services \nIn a previous reincarnation Mark founded The Taylor Partnership – supporting U.K. independent schools in meeting the compliance demands of their UKVI sponsor licences and training many school staff. Mark was previously a Trustee of AEGIS and\, during the pandemic\, assisted independent schools in creating Covid management plans and organised testing. More recently\, after travelling the world\, Mark has identified the increased risk to independent schools as a result of the need for greater probity and due diligence in financial awareness of school suppliers\, parents and agents. Mark’s interest in this field was first sparked in 2016-17 when he supported a number of schools following the disappearance of students from Vietnam. Mark is working in partnership with Verisio\, a specialist organisation concentrating on integrity and due diligence checks on corporations and individuals.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/ukvi-student-sponsor-debrief/
LOCATION:Dulwich College\, London\, London\, SE21 7LD\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Forum,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250613T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250613T130000
DTSTAMP:20250520T085812Z
CREATED:20250515T151958Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T085812Z
UID:62179-1749808800-1749819600@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:BSA State Boarding Forum for Bursars
DESCRIPTION:Date: June 13\, 2025\nTime: 10:00 – 13:00\nCost: BSA Full Member and Affiliate Members – FOC\nAudience: State Boarding School Bursars\nVenue: Gordon’s School\, Bagshot Rd\, West End\, Woking\, Surrey GU24 9PT\n\n\nForum outline: \nJoin us for the upcoming State Bursars Forum\, a collaborative event designed to support and connect bursars working across state boarding schools. \nBOOK NOW \n\nSpeakers: \n \nBethan Hudson MTIOB\, Executive Director\, Consultancy and Director\, BAISIS/HIEDA \nBethan joined the BSA team as Training Manager in September 2017. Bethan has worked in two independent boarding schools in the UK and Switzerland\, the latter as Housemistress to 36 pupils. Following her time in Switzerland\, she was a Pastoral Manager for an inner-city state academy before working in the charity sector for Debrett’s running the ‘Debrett’s Foundation’ training programme. \nIn her role\, Bethan plans and manages all Day Seminars\, Conferences\, INSET and Consultancy\, as well as being Director of BAISIS. She believes boarding can be a positive force for young people and in order to fully support their needs staff can never learn too much. As such she is passionate about the CPD BSA delivers to our pastoral communities in the UK and worldwide. \nHead Pastoral at a large co-ed independent school in the South-East.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/bsa-state-boarding-forum-for-bursars/
LOCATION:Gordon’s School\, Gordon’s School\, Bagshot Rd\, West End\, Woking\, Surrey\, GU24 9PT\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Forum,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250604T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250604T161500
DTSTAMP:20250602T165538Z
CREATED:20250428T205439Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250602T165538Z
UID:61459-1749027600-1749053700@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Supporting and understanding the digital generation
DESCRIPTION:Date: June 4\, 2025\nTime: 09:00 – 16:15\nCost: BSA Full Member – £150\, Non-member – £225\nVenue: Eton College\n\n\nSponsored by: \n \n\nConference outline: \nThe digital generation are defined as “individuals who have grown up in an era of widespread access to digital technologies like the internet\, smartphones\, and social media.” \nThis is an in-person conference hosted at Eton College\, bringing together educators\, pastoral leaders\, and safeguarding professionals to explore the complex realities of young people’s digital lives within school environments. The conference will feature expert-led sessions on pressing topics such as online safety\, the rise of radical online ideologies like the manosphere\, and the ongoing debate around the role of smartphones in childhood—spotlighting the Smartphone-Free Childhood movement. Attendees will also have the chance to take part in interactive breakout sessions designed to foster meaningful dialogue and practical strategies for managing digital challenges in school communities. \nTraining topics include: \n• Identifying and responding to digital safeguarding risks\n• Managing screen time and device use in school settings\n• Communicating effectively with students and parents about online behaviour \nLearning outcomes: \n• Greater confidence in identifying online risks and responding appropriately\n• Enhanced understanding of the manosphere and how it influences young people\n• Practical strategies for managing devices in schools\n• Tools for creating a balanced\, safe digital environment for students \nWhether you’re a school leader\, houseparent\, or safeguarding lead\, this conference offers timely\, practical insights to help shape your school’s digital approach. \nDOWNLOAD PROGRAMME \nBOOK NOW \n\nProgramme: \n09:00 – 09:30 \nRegistration \n09:30 – 09:45 \nWelcome & Opening Remarks \n\nIntroduction to the day\nFraming the theme: “Digital Realities in Boarding Life”\n\nSpeaker: David Walker\, Executive Director\, Boarding & Education and Director\, BSA/TIOB\nSpeaker: Mike Grenier\, Deputy Head Pastoral\, Eton College\n\n\n\n09:45 – 10:30 \nKeynote Session: Online Safety in a Connected World \n\nNavigating digital risks and responsibilities\nSafeguarding in an ever-evolving online landscape\n\n10:30 – 10:35 \nBreak \n10:35 – 11:20 \nDebate: Devices & the Digital Childhood \n\n“Do smartphones belong in young people’s lives?”\nIncluding insights from the Phone-Free Childhood initiative\n\nSpeaker: Will Orr-Ewing\, Director\, Keystone Tutors\n\n\n\n11:20 – 11:45 \nBreak \n11:45 – 12:30 \nRadical Influences: Understanding the Manosphere \n\nExploring the rise of radical online ideologies\nImpacts on identity\, belonging\, and gender perception\n\nSpeaker: Dr Jwana Aziz\, Research Fellow\, Applied Health Sciences\, University of Birmingham\n\n\n\n12:30 – 13:15 \nLunch Break \n13:30 – 14:00 \nMental Health- What research does and doesn’t tell you  \n\n\n\nSpeaker: Aidan Peters\, School Counsellor\, Eton College\n\n\n\n14:00 – 15:00 \nAddressing the ‘why’ rather than the ‘what’ of sexting in the UK  \n\n\n\nSpeaker: Dr Jon Needham\, Director of Safeguarding\, Oasis Community Learning\n\n\n\n15:00 – 15:10 \nBreak \n15:10 – 15:35 \nStrengthening the Home-School Partnership in a Digital World \n\n\n\nSpeaker: Will McNeil\, Sales Manager\, EduLink One\n\n\n\n15:35 – 16:20  \nYoung People’s Experiences of their Digital World at Boarding School  \nIn this powerful and candid session\, a diverse panel of boarding pupils will share their experiences\, challenges\, and aspirations related to life in digital boarding environments. Through guided discussion and live audience Q&A\, the session aims to centre pupil voice in shaping the future of pastoral care\, online learning\, and digital community building in boarding schools. \n\nChair: Alice Vicary-Stott\, Director of Safeguarding\, Eton College \n\n16:20 – 16:30  \nClosing Reflections & Next Steps \n\nGroup insights\nFuture planning and resources\n\nFinal Q&A \n\nSpeakers:  \n \nJwana Aziz\, Research Fellow\, Applied Health Sciences\, University of Birmingham \n  \n  \n  \n\n \n\nWill Orr-Ewing\, Smartphone Free Childhood \nWill is the founder of Keystone Tutors and Arka Learning\, and has been a trustee of schools across the entire sector. Since it launched in February 2024\, he has been volunteering for Smartphone Free Childhood – a cause close to his heart. \n  \n\nDr Jon Needham PhD\, National Director of Safeguarding & Well-being\, Oasis Trust \nJon originally trained as a nurse specialising in adolescents with life limiting illness before moving to become an advisor to a strategic health authority and a health commissioner. He worked briefly as a specialist advisor on two World Health Organization projects before becoming the lead for early help within a large unitary authority. \nHe worked as an education safeguarding advisor supporting 530 schools and for the past 6 years has worked as the National Director of Safeguarding & Mental Health in a multi-academy trust. He holds a PhD in Education (Safeguarding) from Liverpool Hope University. Jon is co-chair of the Pan-London Education Safeguarding Board\, founder member of the National Association of Academy Safeguarding Advisors (NAASA) and co-chairs the Coalition of Mental health provision between the State and Independent Sector. He also acts as a mentor to five young men starting in business ensuring that they develop to their full potential. In his spare time\, he is a voluntary youth worker. When (if) he ever relaxes he is a keen fan of Korean dramas (though must use subtitles). \n\nMike Grenier\, Deputy Head Pastoral\, Eton College \nMike oversees all our pastoral care for boys and so works closely with the Stephenson Centre for Wellbeing\, the Health Centre\, the Director of Safeguarding\, the Director of SPHERE\, the Director of Inclusion Education\, the Head of Access\, the Heads of Block as well as House Masters and Dames. \nMike studied English Literature at undergraduate level at the University of Oxford and has a PGDE from Edge Hill University. He was a House Master from 2004-17 in Wotton House and from 2019-21 in Evans’s House. His wife\, Emma\, is a physiotherapist\, and they have a daughter and a son. He is currently a governor at two prep schools. \n\nAlice Vicary-Stott\, Director of Safeguarding\, Eton College \nAlice takes specific responsibility for all safeguarding and child protection matters in the school. \nShe exercises her responsibilities in conjunction with four Deputy DSLs\, who are currently the Deputy Head (Pastoral)\, the Safeguarding Co-Ordinator\, the Head of D Block and the Director of SPHERE. \nAlice has a degree in Social Work\, and has worked in Children’s Social Care throughout her career in a variety of Social Care departments. Before joining Eton\, Alice was the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) for Kingston\, Richmond\, Windsor and Maidenhead. In this role she was in charge of child protection services working closely with both maintained and independent schools\, the police and other statutory agencies. Alice was also chair of the National LADO Network up until she took up her post at Eton. \n\nAidan Peters\, School Counsellor\, Eton College \n  \n  \n  \n\nWill McNeil\, Sales Manager\, Overnet Data  \nWill McNeil is a seasoned EdTech professional with a decade of experience specialising in tools that foster communication\, engagement\, and safeguarding within schools. Currently Head of Sales at Overnet Data\, Will has played a pivotal role in integrating cutting-edge platforms that bridge the gap between schools and families\, particularly in complex environments like international and boarding schools.  With a background in launching and scaling innovative MIS and communication systems globally\, Will has worked closely with educational groups across the world to deliver solutions that simplify digital engagement and enhance pastoral care. \nAt this event\, Will will draw from his technology background and understanding of parental engagement challenges in boarding contexts to present a session that explores how unified digital platforms can transform the way schools communicate with families\, build trust\, and improve student wellbeing. \n\n \n\nDavid Walker\, Executive Director\, Boarding & Education and Director\, BSA/TIOB \nDavid is the BSA Director and joined the 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.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/digital-boarding-conference/
LOCATION:Eton College
CATEGORIES:Conference,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250509T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250509T140000
DTSTAMP:20250407T124651Z
CREATED:20241213T133458Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250407T124651Z
UID:57230-1746784800-1746799200@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:BSA South Central Forum
DESCRIPTION:Date: May 09\, 2025\nTime: 10:00 – 14:00\nCost: BSA Full Member and Affiliate Members – FOC\nAudience: Headteachers\, Deputy and Assistant Headteachers\, and Heads of Boarding\nVenue: Bedales School\, Church Rd\, Steep\, Petersfield GU32 2DG\n\n\nForum outline: \nBSA regional forums take place termly and allow members to meet up to discuss topics of interest\, share ideas and ask questions. These events are usually held online\, but some take place in-person. Forums are free of charge to all members. \nTo confirm your place at this forum\, please book below. \nBOOK NOW \n\nSpeakers: \nJane Gandee\, Headmistress\, St Swithun’s School\, BSA South Central Forum Chair \n  \n  \n  \n\nDavid Walker\, Executive Director\, Boarding and Director BSA/TIOB \nDavid is the Executive Director\, Boarding and Director BSA/TIOB  and joined the 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.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/bsa-south-central-forum/
LOCATION:Bedales\, Bedales School\, Church Rd\,\, Steep\, Petersfield\, Hampshire\, GU32 2DG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Forum,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250506T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250507T170000
DTSTAMP:20250506T083245Z
CREATED:20240509T094403Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250506T083245Z
UID:49636-1746522000-1746637200@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Annual Conference for Heads - Boarding perspectives: Learning within\, leading beyond
DESCRIPTION:Well thought out sessions. Relevant and current. A great opportunity to meet with like-minded people.\n\n\n\nDate: May 06-07\, 2025\nTime: 09:00 – 17:00\nAudience: Heads\nCost: Included in 2024/25 membership for UK full members; £750 for international full members; £1\,125 for affiliates and day schools; £1\,500 for non-members\nVenue: York Racecourse\, Knavesmire Road\, YO23 1EX\nAccommodation: Discounted rooms available via Roomex – we anticipate most delegates will stay at The Grand or the Marriott (‘Delta’)\nConference guide: Click here to download\n\n\nHeadline sponsor:  \n \n\nVIEW THE PROGRAMME  \nRSVP NOW \n\n\n\n Add to calendar\n\n\n\n\n\nWe’re looking forward to welcoming Heads from our member schools to our Annual Conference for Heads on May 06-07\, 2025. \nThis year\, all UK full member schools receive one delegate place; an RSVP is essential to confirm your booking. \nOur two-day conference will bring together heads to learn\, share and debate all things boarding\, including the latest challenges and opportunities for leaders. \nChaired by Dr Chris Pyle\, Head\, Lancaster Royal Grammar\, the theme is ‘Boarding perspectives: Learning within\, leading beyond’. Topics will include global trends in boarding\, managing stress and anxiety\, and the future of leadership. Full programme details will be announced shortly. \nThe event also includes the BSA Annual Awards and Conference Dinner\, which will take place on May 06\, 2025 following a drinks reception with musical entertainment from St Peter’s York. \n\nA brilliant conference.\n\n\n\n\nConference Chair:\n\n \nChris Pyle\, Head\, Lancaster Royal Grammar School \nChris is Chair of the BSA State Boarding Forum. He has been Head of Lancaster Royal Grammar School since 2012.  The school has grown significantly over that period and has welcomed Sixth Form girls as boarders and day students. It has been judged Outstanding in all categories in three successive Ofsted boarding inspections. Chris was previously Deputy Head of the Perse School\, Cambridge. Before becoming a teacher he completed a PhD in Geography at Cambridge University and also worked in the water industry. He holds the NPQH\, is currently studying for the NPQEL in school leadership\, and is Executive Lead of the NNW Maths Hub. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society\, and regularly writes resources for schools on natural hazards and environmental change. \n\n\n\n\nSpeakers:\n\nAdam Beeson\, Strategic Enrollment Director\, New Summit Academy and The Bridge – Costa Rica \nWith nearly two decades of international school teaching and leadership experience in Europe and the Americas\, Adam is an educator with a passion for creating meaningful relationships with learners and facilitating experiences that lead to cross-cultural understanding and global competencies. ​From 2015-2020\, Adam served in a number of roles within the Academic Department at NSA. He is actively involved in the wider field of international school education\, adding his insight as a presenter at the International Baccalaureate (IB) Global Conference of the Americas\, serving as an IB Examiner and member of the International Schools Anti-Discrimination Taskforce\, and contributing to various publications\, including the Wellbeing in International Schools Magazine\, for which he was also a founding member of the editorial team. Adam is a Fellow of the Salzburg Global Seminar\, an Austrian-based think tank and policy centre\, and serves in a volunteer capacity as Community and Outreach Coordinator for the Global Citizenship Alliance. \n\n \nJonathan Bowman-Perks MBE\, CEO’s Trusted Leadership Advisor \nJonathan has learnt from the brightest and the best CEOs\, Chairs\, Principals\, Heads\, Vice Chancellors\, Generals\, Partners and Managing Directors. His forthcoming third book\, “The CEO’s Compass: Navigating Teams Through Turbulent Times”\, does what it says on the tin. As a Leadership Advisor and Coach to world-class CEOs and Top Teams\, there are few messy problems or challenges that he has not yet come across. He has the privilege of meeting fascinating leaders\, Politicians\, Special Forces Soldiers\, Generals\, Explorers\, Olympians and Entrepreneurs. As host of the Inspiring Leadership Podcast (rated in the global top 1.5%)\, he draws on their personal stories and wisdom to help others navigate the least-worst outcomes to survive and thrive in the turbulent leadership world. Jonathan was Assistant to the Head of the British Army\, Chief of Staff of the Army’s largest Brigade and commanded his Company on three operational tours. He was a leader in PwC\, IBM and as Penna PLC’s MD of Board and Executive Coaching. He was awarded the MBE for his services to leadership in training UN leaders who helped prevent the East Timor massacre. \n\n\n\nGina Buckney\, Founder and Director\, Your People Power \n\n\nGina is a 2 x TEDx Global Speaker and has been pioneering large-scale corporate change for 20 years. Gina combines personal experience working in high-pressured environments alongside science-led and solution-driven programmes. Some of her early positions include Head of UK Retail Customer Services for BT and IT Transformation Programme Manager for Lloyd’s Banking Group. At 27 she became the youngest BT Contract Director and was awarded the largest managed service banking contract with a value of over £400m and a global team of 450. \n\n\n\nBen Collingwood\, Partner\, Moore Barlow \nBen specialises in advising independent schools and other charities on wide ranging areas of education law\, with particular focus on reputation issues\, pastoral\, safeguarding\, historic abuse allegations\, SEN\, exclusions\, parent/pupil complaints\, data protection\, parent contracts\, admissions and staff matters of all types. \nHe has written and spoken widely on issues facing the independent schools sector\, providing comment in The Times\, The Guardian\, The Lawyer and Law Society’s Gazette and at the national conferences and training programmes for the various associations that support independent schools including BSA\, ISBA\, HMC\, IAPS and AGBIS. \nHe lives with his wife and three children in West Sussex. He has been a devoted surfer since his childhood and he loves to spend as much of his free time as possible in the sea and walking their pointers with his family. \n\n\n\n\n\nJamie Daniels\, Director\, PRS Training \nJamie has been interested in and teaching self-defence and martial arts for thirty years\, culminating in learning and instructing Krav Maga. In that time he has seen again and again how it’s not martial arts people need\, rather it is some simple physical techniques and a healthy dose of understanding as to what constitutes a dangerous situation\, how to spot one developing\, and what to do about it. As well as a history in the security industry\, Jamie has been working in the education sector for over 15 years. This has also helped Jamie understand the pressures and demands that young people face today. \n\n\n\n\nJane Gandee\, Head\, St Swithun’s School \nJane began her teaching career in 1993 having dabbled briefly in accountancy after a degree in French and Spanish at Girton College\, Cambridge. She taught languages at Lord Wandsworth College and Oakham School before becoming head of Spanish and then head of languages at Queenswood School. In 2005\, she became director of studies at City of London School for Girls and she took up her current post in 2010. Jane is a keen sportswoman\, having represented Cambridge at athletics and cross country and captained the university women’s football team. She still runs competitively when time allows and particularly enjoys running with colleagues at BSA conferences. \n\n \nJim Lawless\, CEO\, SYMMETRY and Bestselling Author  \nBeginning his career as a solicitor\, Jim now helps clients adjust to the future of work and the constant rate of change in modern society. He has worked with the likes of ITV\, BP\, Fiat\, Virgin\, Vitality\, Xerox\, Microsoft\, Unilever and Apple. Author of “Taming Tigers: Do Things You Never Thought You Could”\, Jim has developed several rules to change a business or an individual’s life around. These rules have been tried and tested by Jim himself\, by becoming a televised jockey in 12 months and taking the British freediving record. Jim was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts in recognition of his business writing. \n\n \nCarrie Herbert MBE\, Chair and Founder\, Red Balloon Learning \nCarrie trained as a teacher before emigrating to Australia\, returned to the UK in the eighties to complete a Master’s Degree at UEA and a PhD at Cambridge. Carrie worked as a consultant in equal opportunities before founding Red Balloon in 1996. She has written a number of books on the subject of bullying and harassment in schools and in the workplace. Carrie Herbert was Master of the WC of Cutlers from 2020-2022. \n\n \nGareth Jones\, Head\, Bilton Grange Prep  \nGareth has worked in prep boarding schools for over 25 years\, leading two over the last 10 years. Formerly a Housemaster and Director of Sport at the Dragon School\, Oxford\, he then became Head of St Andrew’s Prep\, Eastbourne before taking up his current role as Head of Bilton Grange Prep\, part of the Rugby School Group\, in September 2021. Gareth sits on the IAPS Pastoral Committee\, having also sat on their Sports Committee previously\, and has experience of governance in both the independent and state sectors. \n\nMark Lauder FTIOB\, Head\, Strathallan School \nMark began his teaching career at Shiplake College in Henley-on-Thames\, where he was Head of the History Department\, Resident Tutor and Master I/C of Rowing. He then headed to Oxford in 1999\, to become Head of History at St Edward’s School\, as well as a Housemaster. While there\, he continued with his rugby refereeing\, coaching U16s rugby and U15s rowing\, and ran the naval section of the CCF. In 2007\, Mark was appointed Deputy Headmaster and Head of Boarding at Felsted School\, where he maintained his coaching and teaching roles. It was from there\, in 2010\, that he headed north\, to take on the role of Headmaster at Ashville College in Harrogate. In 2017\, Mark moved to Strathallan School. \n\nGeoff Marsh\, Head of Frensham\, Frensham Schools \nGeoff has been Head of Frensham Schools for the past two years (coed P-6\, girls’ boarding and day 7-12). Prior to this he was Principal of the Riverina Anglican College in Wagga Wagga (coed K-12). Before going to Wagga Geoff was Deputy Head of Frensham Schools for 17 years. Geoff had a brief interlude helping run the Sydney 2000 Olympics for three years. Prior to this he worked as a physics and chemistry teacher at Chevalier College in Bowral for six years where he also worked in boys’ boarding. \n\nAlice Philips\, Head\, St Catherine’s\, Bramley  \nAlice Phillips was educated at Kendal High School for Girls and went on to read English at Newnham College\, Cambridge. After ten years as an English teacher\, and then Head of English at the Royal Masonic School\, Rickmansworth\, she moved on to Deputy Headship at Tormead School\, Guildford in 1993 and has been Headmistress of St Catherine’s\, Bramley\, an independent school for girls aged 4-18\, near Guildford\, since 2000. \n\nSimon Pither\, Director\, PRS Training \nSimon started martial arts at a local Judo club when he was 14. Ten years later he got his first instructor qualification and has been teaching martial arts and running self-defence courses ever since\, culminating in his current role as the President of the UK Sector of the European Federation of Krav Maga. While running courses for students\, teachers\, nurses\, community clubs\, charities and corporate organisations over the years\, it became apparent that everyone wished they had learned it earlier. \n\nGuy Schady-Beckett\, Director and Head of Research\, Next Step Education \nGuy has served as Director and Head of Research at Next Step Education Limited\n(Independent Schools Show & Bonas MacFarlane) since 2014. Previously he ran Drayson Beckett Limited\, a specialist education consultancy working long-term with schools and universities on business development (with a focus on digital\ntransition)\, market research and brand / product repositioning for 20 years. Prior to that he taught English at Windlesham and Durston House. He holds a PhD and an MA in History from Birkbeck\, University of London\, with distinction honours\, as well as a second MA from University of the Arts London. His BA was in English from UCL. \n\nDr Heather Tracy\, Executive Director & Co-Founder\, New Summit Academy and The Bridge – Costa Rica \nHeather studied at the Harvard Graduate School of Education\, earning a Master of Education in Human Development & Psychology. In 2014\, Heather completed her Doctorate in K-12 Leadership with a dissertation about the importance of academic enablers for at-risk adolescents to build resilience and learn and live more effectively and efficiently. Previously\, Heather researched Math and English support programmes for the MCAS in Boston Public Schools\, taught English as a Second Language to teenagers and adults\, taught college reading and writing courses\, and served one year as a volunteer English teacher in the Costa Rican public school system. Being a part of the founding team of New Summit Academy in 2004 has been the highlight of her career\, and she feels blessed to be able to be a part of the team creating innovative\, holistic\, and quality education for unique young men. Heather co-authored Supportive Immersion theory (2016) and articulated PROPS skills as the 21st century skill set needed to thrive in today’s world. \n\n \nFiona Boulton OBE\, Director of Independent Schools\, United Learning \nFiona became Director of Independent Schools in 2022. She joined United Learning in 1995 when it was the Church Schools Company. She was Head of Guildford High School from 2002 – 2022 and is currently Executive Head there. Guildford High became a Teaching School in 2013 and Fiona was appointed an NLE\, leading the United Learning Teaching School Alliance from 2013 – 2020. She has a variety of governance roles; she is an Associate Director of Cumbria University\, on the governing body of Epsom College and St Ives Prep School and a member of the ‘Learning Partners Academy Trust’. Fiona is on the Advisory Board of the School Partnerships Alliance and has helped to establish the West Surrey Partnership of state and independent schools. She was Chair of HMC in 2019-2020\, and on the Advisory Council of the Institute for Ethical AI in Education (IEAIED) between 2018 – 2021. In 2023\, Fiona was awarded an OBE for services to education. \n\n \nEmma Goldsmith\, Head\, Dragon School Oxford \nEmma is the twelfth person to lead Dragon School Oxford\, a co-educational prep school\, since it was founded in 1877 and the first female to do so. Emma joined the Dragon after a successful few years as Head of Winchester House Prep. Emma taught at Oakham and Rugby Schools and went on to become Deputy Head at Bloxham School where she also worked as Housemistress\, setting up the first girls’ boarding house. Emma is a board member of IAPS. She is an experienced governor having been on the board of Cheltenham College and is currently a governor of Wellington College and Gordonstoun. She is also host of the podcast ‘The Educational DilEmma’. \n\n \nNick Wergan\, Global Education Director\, Inspired Education Group \nNick joined Inspired in 2020 and is now the Chief Executive Officer for the UK. This followed six years as Headteacher at Steyning Grammar School. Nick was elected Chair of the BSA in 2019\, appointed National Leader of Education by the UK Department for Education\, and founded the Pavilion and Downs Teaching School Alliance. Following a successful international career in Investment Banking (leading Emerging European Equity teams at US\, UK\, and European investment banks\, including Morgan Stanley\, Merrill Lynch\, and HSBC)\, Nick began his career in education following his teacher training at Pembroke College\, Oxford in 2004. Presently\, Nick is an elected fellow of the Royal Society of Arts\, a winning recipient of the 2007 UK National Teaching Award and holds an MA in Education Studies (University of Sussex). \n\n \nLeo Winkley\, Head\, Shrewsbury School \nLeo began his teaching career as Head of Religious Studies at Ardingly College (1994-99) where he also looked after a Lower Sixth boarding house. From there\, he moved to The Cheltenham Ladies’ College as Head of Religious Studies (1999-2004) where the subject became the most popular A Level choice. In 2004\, he was appointed Deputy Head of Bedales School (2004-10) where he was responsible for boarding and pastoral care. He then spent eight years as Head Master of St Peter’s School in York. A passionate advocate of boarding\, Leo was Chairman of BSA between 2016 and 2017. He believes strongly in community engagement and partnership work\, chairing the City of York Independent State Schools Partnership (2017-18) and sitting on the Independent Schools’ Council expert group ‘Schools Together’. \n\n Joanna Lada-Walicki\, Partner\, Moore Barlow \nHead of the Schools Team\, Joanna is recognised nationally as a leading adviser on complex and high profile employment and pastoral issues that impact schools\, including allegations of abuse (against staff and child-on-child)\, other safeguarding issues as well as staff departures within the senior leadership team.  Joanna also has niche expertise on the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS)\, including on issues arising from claims from Teachers’ Pensions for arrears of contributions. She is frequently requested to speak at industry sector events and has written many articles on a range of issues. \n\n \nJulie Robinson\, Chief Executive Officer\, Independent Schools Council (ISC) \nJulie was head of Ardingly College Junior School and then Vinehall Prep School in Sussex before becoming education and training director for the Independent Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS). At IAPS\, she served on the Standing Group of Teachers Associations and the Independent Schools Examination Board. Julie also chaired the Independent Schools Council’s Cross Association Leadership Group. In 2015\, Julie became General Secretary of the ISC\, representing schools across the independent education sector. She serves on the School Partnerships Oversight Board for the Department for Education promoting independent-state school partnership work. Julie liaises with influencers in education across schools\, government and the media\, serving the interests of ISC constituent associations and member schools \n\n \nBen Mason\, CEO\, globalbridge \nFollowing 16 years in teaching across the state and independent sectors\, Ben founded globalbridge\, a pioneering EdTech platform\, to level the playing field of opportunity and help schools evidence student outcomes via a multimedia learner profile. globalbridge was created to support how schools evidence student talent and skills by enabling them to utilise the digital media advances in the emerging talent recruitment space. Listed in the Business Cloud UK EdTech top 50 for most innovative education technology creators\, Ben himself was also listed in The Sunday Times top 100 entrepreneurs. Ben and globalbridge co-lead a number of OECD ‘Future of Education and Skills 2030’ projects. One looking at how educational outcomes can be more inclusive and equitable for all learners. \n\n \nAlex Foreman\, Principal\, Duke of York’s Royal Military School  \nAlex gained his Theology & Philosophy degree from Surrey University\, initially teaching PE and Religious Education at Uppingham School in Rutland. He became Head of Year at an all-boys Leicester city comprehensive and then went on to become Assistant Headteacher and later Headteacher\, at King’s School\, an MoD school based in Germany. Alex joined the Duke of York’s Royal Military School in 2017. He has an indestructible attachment to Leicester Tigers and highlights of the year are playing the pupils’ First XIs at cricket and hockey\, where he still thinks ‘he’s got it!’. \n\n \nKarl Hearn\, Boarding Consultant\, Noble + Eaton \nNoble + Eaton is an education design consultancy based in London. At Noble + Eaton\, Karl works closely with boarding schools to reimagine and reshape their environments into Thriving Spaces™\, emphasising how physical space can enhance student outcomes. With a deep understanding of the dynamics of boarding life\, he has a keen eye for identifying hidden potential within existing spaces—transforming underutilised areas into purposeful\, student-centred environments. His work bridges strategy and design\, helping schools align their physical settings with USPs and evolving educational and wellbeing priorities. Having recently led the ‘State of Boarding Spaces’ research project Karl shared his insights at the Future of Boarding Spaces Conference\, contributing to discussions on the future of boarding environments. By combining practical expertise with visionary thinking\, Karl supports schools in creating spaces that foster a strong sense of belonging and academic growth—unlocking the full value of their environments for students and staff alike. \n\n \nMartin Reader FTIOB\, Senior Advisor\, Saxton Bampfylde \nMartin is a former Head of Cranleigh & Wellington Schools who now works as a consultant. He served as BSA Chair in 2018-19. He is a Fellow of the RSA\, Emeritus Fellow of the BSA and Trustee of the BSA Foundation. \n  \n  \n\n \nEmma Hattersley\, Partner and Head of Schools Practice\, Saxton Bampfylde \nEmma joined Saxton Bampfylde as a consultant in 2022. Emma worked in a variety of educational settings for more than three decades. She has experience of day and boarding schools\, co-educational and single sex\, prep and senior. Emma was Head of Godolphin School between 2014 and 2022. Prior to joining Godolphin\, Emma was Housemistress at Canford School and then moved to Sherborne Girls to take up a Deputy Head position. Emma has examined for OCR and the ABRSM and is a Governor at Fairley House School and Port Regis. She has chaired the HMC Inspection sub-committee\, served as an inspector for ISI and is a former member of the ISI Educational Advisory Forum. \n\n \nDavid Woodgate\, Chief Executive\, Independent Schools Bursars Association (ISBA) \nDavid was appointed Chief Executive of ISBA in 2016. Prior to this he was Chief Executive of the Institute of Financial Accountants from 2007-2015 after which he spent a year as the Strategy Consultant to the Institute of Public Accountants in Australia. David qualified as a Barrister before moving into the City\, holding several senior management and executive positions in the National Westminster Bank and the Royal Bank of Scotland. He ran an outsourcing business and a specialist consultancy providing market intelligence and competitor analysis. He completed an MBA at Warwick University Business School. A former Chief Executive of the Institute of Administrative Management\, he also holds a postgraduate diploma in Charity Management from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and South Bank University. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts\, a Chartered Banker\, a Freeman of the City of London and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights. David is also a former Chairman of Governors of an HMC school and a Governor of the City of London School. \n\nSpeakers from the BSA Team: \nKate Hollyer MTIOB\, Executive Director (Legal)\, BSA Group & Director (Solicitor)\, BSA Legal \nKate is Legal and Public Affairs Director of BSA Group and Director of BSA Legal Services Ltd. As a qualified solicitor with more than 10 years’ experience advising clients on UK immigration law\, Kate assists members with all immigration and safeguarding legal matters. Prior to joining BSA in 2022 Kate was Partner and Head of Department at a leading full-service UK law firm. Having resided in state\, preparatory and senior school boarding houses since 2014 with her Housemaster husband\, Kate has a unique perspective of boarding life. \n\n \nBethan Hudson MTIOB\, Executive Director\, Consultancy and Director\, BAISIS/HIEDA \nBethan joined the BSA team as Training Manager in September 2017. Bethan has worked in two independent boarding schools in the UK and Switzerland\, the latter as Housemistress to 36 pupils. Following her time in Switzerland\, she was a Pastoral Manager for an inner-city state academy before working in the charity sector for Debrett’s running the ‘Debrett’s Foundation’ training programme. \nIn her role\, Bethan plans and manages all Day Seminars\, Conferences\, INSET and Consultancy\, as well as being Director of BAISIS. She believes boarding can be a positive force for young people and in order to fully support their needs staff can never learn too much. As such she is passionate about the CPD BSA delivers to our pastoral communities in the UK and worldwide. \n\n \nAileen Kane FTIOB\, Chief Operating Officer\, BSA Group \nAileen is COO of BSA Group\, and the Director of SACPA (Safeguarding and Child Protection Association). Aileen leads operations at BSA providing guidance and training and works closely with government departments\, local authorities and other agencies to support members. She heads up the group’s work to find places for refugee children escaping from conflict countries and is also a trustee for a children’s charity. \n\nDavid Walker FTIOB\, Executive Director\, Boarding & Education and Director\, BSA/TIOB \nDavid is the Executive Director\, Boarding and Director BSA/TIOB  and joined the 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. \n\n \nDale Wilkins FTIOB\, Executive Director\, Scotland/Wales and Accredited/Compliance\, BSA Group \nDale joined the BSA in 2017 with responsibility for safeguarding and standards\, having previously been a course tutor since 1998. In 2019 he also assumed responsibility for the BSA’s training programme\, including both day seminars and accredited training courses. Dale leads on all safeguarding and inspection matters for the BSA\, including managing the Commitment to Care Charter\, and has developed a process of BSA Accreditation for our international members. He also liaises with ISI\, Ofsted and DfE on matters relating to compliance and inspection standards\, and compiles the BSA Self-Assessment toolkit\, which he first produced in 2002\, since which time he has been closely involved in inspection in state and independent boarding. \nFor 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. \n\n \nRobin Fletcher MTIOB\, CEO  \nRobin Fletcher is CEO of BSA Group\, comprising BAISIS (British Association of Independent Schools with International Students)\, BSA (Boarding Schools’ Association)\, BSA Legal\, HIEDA (Health in Education Association) SACPA (Safeguarding and Child Protection Association) and TIOB (The Institute of Boarding). A former journalist\, editor and communications director\, Robin is a non-executive director of the manufacturers’ trade body Make UK\, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and an Honorary Fellow of Cardiff Metropolitan University. \n\nExhibiting and sponsorship: We are delighted to be able to offer sponsorship and exhibition opportunities at this event. For full details please reach out to Neil Rust\, Head of Commercial neil.rust@bsagroup.org.uk or Laura Brain\, Senior Commercial Consultant\, laura.brain@bsagroup.org.uk or call on +44 (0)207 798 1580. \n\nThank you for your incredible hard work and dedication to the conference. I had the best time ever!\n\nDrinks sponsor:  \n \n\nDinner sponsor: 
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/annual-conference-for-heads-2/
LOCATION:York Racecourse\, Knavesmire Road\, YO23 1EX
CATEGORIES:Conference,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250320T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250320T140000
DTSTAMP:20250225T133207Z
CREATED:20241213T114514Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250225T133207Z
UID:57210-1742464800-1742479200@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:BSA Prep Boarding Forum
DESCRIPTION:  \n \n\n\nDate: March 20\, 2025\nTime: 10:00 – 14:00\nCost: BSA Full Member and Affiliate Members – FOC\nAudience: Headteachers\, Deputy and Assistant Headteachers\, and Heads of Boarding\nVenue: Godstowe Preparatory School\, Shrubbery Rd\, Buckinghamshire\, HP13 6PR\n\n\nForum outline: \nBSA regional forums take place termly and allow members to meet up to discuss topics of interest\, share ideas and ask questions. These events are usually held online\, but some take place in-person. Forums are free of charge to all members. \nTo confirm your place at this forum\, please book below. \nBOOK NOW \n\nSpeakers: \nJeremy Banks\, Headmaster\, Caldicott School\, BSA Prep Forum Chair \n  \n  \n  \n  \n\nDavid Walker\, Executive Director\, Boarding and Director BSA/TIOB \nDavid is the Executive Director\, Boarding and Director BSA/TIOB  and joined the 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.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/bsa-prep-boarding-forum/
LOCATION:Godstowe Preparatory School\, Shrubbery Rd HP13 6PR\, Godstowe Preparatory School\, Shrubbery Rd\, Buckinghamshire\, HP13 6PR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Forum,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250318T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250318T140000
DTSTAMP:20250226T163513Z
CREATED:20250214T171439Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250226T163513Z
UID:59078-1742293800-1742306400@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:BSA London Boarding Forum
DESCRIPTION:Date: March 18\, 2025\nTime: 10:30 – 14:00\nCost: BSA Full Member and Affiliate Members – FOC\nAudience: Headteachers\, Deputy and Assistant Headteachers\, and Heads of Boarding\nVenue: Guildhouse School\n\n\nForum outline: \nBSA regional forums take place termly and allow members to meet up to discuss topics of interest\, share ideas and ask questions. These events are usually held online\, but some take place in-person. Forums are free of charge to all members. \nTo confirm your place at this forum\, please book below. \nBOOK NOW  \n\nSpeakers: \nAdrian Norris\, Assistant Head (Pastoral and Boarding)\, Whitgift  \nAdrian Norris is Assistant Head (Pastoral and Boarding) and has taught at Whitgift since 1995. He has held a number of senior positions within the School including Head of Sixth Form and Director of Sport\, taking on the role of Assistant Head in September 2016. \n  \n\nDavid Walker\, Executive Director\, Boarding and Director BSA/TIOB \nDavid is the Executive Director\, Boarding and Director BSA/TIOB  and joined the 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.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/bsa-london-boarding-forum-2/
LOCATION:Guildhall School\, Silk St\, London\, EC2Y 8DT\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Forum,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250303T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250303T133000
DTSTAMP:20250214T124732Z
CREATED:20241213T084107Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250214T124732Z
UID:57182-1740997800-1741008600@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:BSA South East Boarding Forum
DESCRIPTION:Date: March 03\, 2025\nTime: 10:30 – 13:30\nCost: BSA Full Member and Affiliate Members – FOC\nAudience: Headteachers\, Deputy and Assistant Headteachers\, and Heads of Boarding\nVenue: Prior’s Field School\n\n\nForum outline: \nBSA regional forums take place termly and allow members to meet up to discuss topics of interest\, share ideas and ask questions. These events are usually held online\, but some take place in-person. Forums are free of charge to all members. \nTo confirm your place at this forum\, please book below. \nBOOK NOW  \n\nSpeakers: \nPeter Goodyer\, BSA South East Forum Chair\, Head\, Bedes Senior School \n  \n  \n  \n\nDavid Walker\, Executive Director\, Boarding and Director BSA/TIOB \nDavid is the Executive Director\, Boarding and Director BSA/TIOB  and joined the 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.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/bsa-south-east-boarding-forum/
LOCATION:Prior’s Field School\, Priorsfield Road\, Godalming\, Surrey\, GU7 2RH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Forum,In-person
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR