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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251124T103000
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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
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260127T103000
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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:20260311T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260312T123000
DTSTAMP:20260310T121320Z
CREATED:20260119T075404Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T121320Z
UID:65606-1773226800-1773318600@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:BSA European Boarding Conference
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ FREE for BSA members\, with thanks to our sponsors Noble + Eaton and I-GTM\n🎧 Heads\, Deputies\, Bursars\, Houseparents\, EAL staff\, Admissions and Marketing\n📍 Beau Soleil\, Collège Alpin Beau Soleil\, Route du Village 1\, 1884 Villars-sur-Ollon\, Switzerland\n🏠 Accommodation not included \n\nSponsored by: \n \nJoin us at the upcoming BSA European Conference\, hosted in person at Beau Soleil\, where schools from across the region will come together to connect\, collaborate\, and share expertise. This year’s programme features a rich mix of research-informed and future-focused sessions\, including research-informed boarding spaces\, using data to drive boarder recruitment\, emerging contextual safeguarding trends\, and international boarding developments. Delegates will also benefit from a best-practice panel session and dynamic group discussions exploring the concept of the global village\, ensuring a varied and thought-provoking experience for all attendees. \nBOOK NOW \n\nProgramme will include: \n\nResearch informed boarding spaces\nUsing data to drive boarder recruitment\nContextual boarding safeguarding trends\nInternational boarding trends\nKey inclusion issues and trends in Europe\nPanel session – sharing best practice\nGroup discussions – global village\n\n\nProgramme: \nWEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2026 \n10:30 – 11:00 Registration \n\n11:00 – 11:15 Welcome \n\nSpeaker: Benjamin Turner\, Principal\, Beau Soleil\n\n\n11:15 – 11:45 Keynote Talk – The Stories That Shape Us: Belonging\, Boarding\, and Shared Purpose \n\nSpeaker: David Walker FTIOB\, Executive Director\, Boarding and Director\, BSA/TIOB\n\n\n11:45 – 12:30 Panel session – sharing best practice \nA collaborative discussion bringing together sector experts to share practical insights\, lessons learned\, and effective approaches. \nPanel: \n\nJane White\, Vice Principal\, Beau Soleil\nEric Turner\, Director of Residential Life\, Leysin American School\, Switzerland\nJoss Bagnall\, Assistant Head (IBDP Coordinator)\, Aiglon\nGaelle Sullivan\, Director of Research\, Inclusion and IELA\n\n\n12:30 – 13:30 Lunch and networking \n\n13:30 – 14:15 Research informed boarding spaces \nExploring how current research and evidence can shape the design and operation of boarding environments to improve student wellbeing and outcomes. \n\nSpeaker: Dr Joanne Ladds\, Associate Education Consultant\, Noble + Eaton\n\n\n14:15 – 15:15 Key inclusion issues and trends in Europe \nIdentifying current inclusion challenges and best practice across European boarding schools\, with a focus on equity and belonging. \n\nSpeaker: Gaelle Sullivan\, Director of Research\, Inclusion and IELA\n\n\n15:15 – 16:00 Refreshments and networking \n\n16:00 – 16:30  International boarding trends \nAnalysing global developments influencing international boarding provision\, demand\, and student experience. \n\nSpeaker: David Walker FTIOB\, Executive Director\, Boarding and Director\, BSA/TIOB\n\n\n16:30 Tour of boarding/campus \n\n17:00 Day 1 conference close \n\nTHURSDAY 12 MARCH 2026 \n\n09:30 – 10:15 Contextual boarding safeguarding trends \nUnderstanding emerging safeguarding risks and protective factors within the wider social\, cultural\, and digital contexts of boarding life. \n\nSpeaker: Dale Wilkins\, Executive Director Accreditation/Compliance\, BSA Group\n\n\n10:15 – 11:00 Beyond the school gates: How the journey shapes the boarding experience \nWelcoming and supporting students before they even arrive. \n\nSpeaker: David Williams\, CEO\, IGTM\n\n\n11:00 – 11:30 Refreshments and networking \n\n11:30 – 12:30 Group discussions – global village \nFacilitated small-group conversations encouraging diverse perspectives and shared learning across international boarding communities. \n\n12;30 Lunch and conference close \n\nSpeakers: \nBenjamin Turner\, Principal\, Beau Soleil \nBen Turner began his teaching career in the United Kingdom and has spent the past twenty years working in international education across three continents. His career has taken him to schools in Mexico\, Vietnam\, and Budapest\, where he has held a range of senior leadership roles\, including Head of Department\, Assistant Head\, Deputy Head\, Head of Secondary\, and Principal. \nThroughout his career\, Ben has led initiatives and departments spanning mathematics\, curriculum and learning\, pedagogy\, pastoral care\, sustainability\, student leadership\, and service learning. \nHe is passionate about creating a holistic educational experience in which intellectual growth is complemented by character development\, ensuring that students benefit from a school environment rich in opportunity and meaningful experiences. \nBen Joined Beau Soleil in August 2025 \n\nJane White\, Vice Principal\, Beau Soleil \nJane White is Vice Principal at Beau Soleil. In a long and happy career spanning three countries and six (very) different boarding schools\, she has held a variety of leadership roles across every aspect of school life. Her six years as Housemistress of a large and lively girls boarding house in the south of England remains a highlight\, and opened her eyes to quite how much students can learn and grow\, in so many different ways\, with the benefit of a boarding education. In her ten years at Beau Soleil\, Jane has first driven\, then supported the development of an extraordinary full time boarding community\, starting with a classic British boarding structure and stretching it to include every possible piece of fun\, collaboration\, competition and the wholehearted pastoral support and guidance that allow all these things to happen. \n\nJoss Bagnall\, Assistant Head (IBDP Coordinator)\, Aiglon \nJoss Bagnall began her career at Ryde School with Upper Chine on the Isle of Wight\, serving as Teacher and then Head of Geography alongside Round Square Coordinator. A passionate educator and IB examiner\, she resided in a boarding house while her husband served as Housemaster. Joss later moved to Portugal to lead the authorisation and implementation of the IB Diploma Programme. Throughout her career\, she has led initiatives in global exchanges\, sustainability as well as outdoor leadership. Joss has recently moved to Aiglon College where she is now Assistant Head (IBDP Coordinator). \n\n \nEric Turner\, Director of Residential Life\, Leysin American School\, Switzerland \nA 30-year veteran of boarding schools\, Eric Turner is the Director of Residential Life at Leysin American School\, where he oversees all aspects of residential life\, health services\, counseling\, student leadership\, and social-emotional learning. Over the course of his career\, he has also served as Dean of Students and Director of Enrollment Management at schools in the United States. \nAs a boarding school alumnus himself\, Eric understands the experience well. He knows how to recruit families and build strong communities\, and he also believes residential life is about more than supervision. It’s about creating a true home away from home\, where students feel known\, supported\, and cared for within their residential communities. \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\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\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\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\n \nGaelle Sullivan\, Director of Research\, Inclusion and IELA \nGaelle is Director of Research\, Inclusion and IELA and joined the BSA in January 2023. She is an experienced senior leader and has worked in a range of state and independent schools. She is a qualified SENCO and holds a Masters Degree in Inclusive Education. Prior to joining the BSA\, Gaelle was Deputy Head Pastoral\, DSL and Head of Boarding at an all-girls independent school in the South-East. \n 
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/bsa-european-boarding-conference/
CATEGORIES:Conference,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260323T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260323T113000
DTSTAMP:20260203T133440Z
CREATED:20260203T132655Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T133440Z
UID:70064-1774258200-1774265400@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Boarding school careers for veterans
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ Free\n🎧 Veterans and service personnel interested in finding out more about working in boarding schools\n📍 The Library\, Mercers’ Hall\, 6 Frederick’s Place\, London EC2R 8AB \n\nJoin us for this drop-in information session to find out more about the BSA ASPIRE programme\, which offers a structured pathway into boarding school jobs for veterans and service personnel. \nFor serving personnel and veterans\, the question of ‘what next?’ can be daunting. At first glance\, a service career and boarding education might appear worlds apart. But look more closely and the parallels are striking: residential communities\, high expectations of personal conduct\, strong pastoral responsibility and leadership exercised through daily presence. Your experience is not just relevant\, it is actively sought. As a result\, over the past few years\, a growing number of veterans have moved into education\, particularly boarding\, and there is increasing recognition of the crossover between the sectors. \nThrough ASPIRE\, the BSA – the voice of more than 600 boarding schools worldwide – provides a structured pathway into boarding with accredited training\, CV support\, mentoring\, and visits to Ambassador Schools. \nJoin us on March 23 to find out more. There is no fee to attend but an RSVP by March 15 is essential. Reserve your place by emailing bsa@boarding.org.uk. \n\nSpeaker: \nMark Mortimer\, Director of Defence & Military Services\, BSA\nMark spent eight years as an infantry officer before becoming a teacher and assistant housemaster and moving on to spend 12 years as a boarding school Head. He believes the similarities between a service career and a career in residential education are powerful and significant: “As in the military\, good schools are driven by values\, mission and purpose. Boarding schools are close-knit\, immersive 24/7 organisations and integrity\, optimism\, resilience and initiative are all qualities that are vital\, as is the ability to communicate\, get the best out of people and be fair and consistent. Attitude trumps aptitude.” \n  \n  \n \n 
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/boarding-school-careers-for-veterans/
LOCATION:Mercers’ Hall\, 6 Frederick's Place\, London\, EC2R 8AB\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260428T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260428T163000
DTSTAMP:20260427T062434Z
CREATED:20251003T094957Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260427T062434Z
UID:66545-1777368600-1777393800@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Health & Wellbeing Conference
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £200\n🎧 School nurses\, health/medical centre leads\, health/medical centre staff\, pastoral leads\, wellbeing leads\n📍 In person – Haileybury\, Hertford SG13 7NU \n\nCourse overview: \nThis will be the first in-person Health and Wellbeing Conference since HIEDA was established\, marking a significant milestone in bringing together professionals dedicated to the care and development of young people. With a focus on nutrition\, policy development\, suicide prevention\, and understandings of bereavement\, the event offers expert-led sessions designed to provide both strategic insight and practical approaches to supporting young people in educational settings. \nThe conference will provide opportunities for knowledge exchange\, interactive discussion\, and reflective practice\, ensuring that delegates leave with greater confidence and a refreshed toolkit for addressing emerging challenges in school communities. \nBOOK NOW \nThis event will be held jointly with: \n \n  \n  \n  \n\nProgramme: \n09:30 \nRegistration \n10:00 – 10:15 \nConference Welcome \nDavid Walker\, Executive Director\, Boarding & Education and Director\, BSA/TIOB \n10:15 – 11:00 \nSession 1 – Performance Nutrition: Supporting Everyday Health and Success \nThis session will explore how everyday nutrition habits underpin health\, wellbeing and performance in both sport and school life. It will focus on practical\, evidence-based strategies to support energy levels\, concentration and consistency\, while challenging common misconceptions around “healthy eating”. The session will emphasise realistic approaches that can be applied in busy school and boarding environments\, with clear\, actionable takeaways. \nSpeaker: Dan Richardson\, MSc\, SENr\, Performance Nutrition Expert \n11:00 – 12:00 \nSession 2 – Policy Development for Self-Harm and Health-Harming Behaviours \nGuidance on shaping effective\, sensitive\, and evidence-informed school policies to respond to self-harm and harmful behaviours. \nSpeaker: Dr Jody Walshe\, Educational and Child Psychologist \n12:00 – 13:00 \nLunch and Networking \n13:00 – 13:45 \nSession 3 – Supporting Recovery and Rest: Wound Care and Adolescent Sleep \nThis session explores two key areas of everyday health care in school settings: effective wound care and the importance of healthy sleep in adolescence. It will provide practical guidance on managing common injuries safely and consistently\, alongside evidence-based insights into adolescent sleep patterns and how poor sleep impacts wellbeing\, behaviour\, and learning. Delegates will leave with clear\, practical approaches they can apply immediately to support student health and recovery. \nSpeaker: Rosie McManus\, Nurse Advisor\, HIEDA \n13:45 – 14:30 \nSession 4 – Managing Allergies in Schools: New Statutory Guidance  \nThe Government has announced transformative new statutory guidance for all schools in England\, coming into effect by September 2026. This session will give independent school nurses clarity on exactly what the new requirements mean for your school and practical guidance on how to implement them confidently. \nWe’ll cover: \n\nWhat the new statutory guidance will require and if you need to follow them\nHow these requirements translate into day-to-day practice in your school\nPractical steps to ensure you’re September-ready\nHow to move from compliance to genuine confidence in managing allergy safety\n\nWith 1-2 children in every classroom living with food allergies\, these measures aren’t just about meeting new requirements – they’re about creating environments where every child can participate fully and safely in school life. Whether you’re starting from scratch or building on existing systems\, this session will give you a clear roadmap for implementing the new guidance effectively. \nLed by Sarah Knight\, founder of The Allergy Team\, which co-authored the Schools Allergy Code that informed the new statutory guidance and has supported over 400 schools with allergy management. \nSpeaker: Sarah Knight\, The Allergy Team \n14:30 – 15:00 \nRefreshments and Networking \n15:00 – 15:45 \nSession 5 – Suicide prevention in educational settings \nBest practices for early identification\, intervention\, and support. Strategies to build resilience and strengthen protective factors within school communities. \nSpeaker: Harry Mansfield\, The Awareness Key \n15:45 – 16:30 \nSeacole Standard talk from Haileybury and CONFERENCE CLOSE \n\nSpeaker: \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. \n  \n\nDan Richardson\, MSc\, SENr\, Performance Nutrition Expert \nDan Richardson is a performance nutrition expert who supports elite and school-level athletes to optimise their health and athletic potential. He’s worked professionally as a nutritionist with teams such as Manchester City\, Sale Sharks\, Warrington Wolves and currently is currently the Academy Nutrition Lead at Leeds United. His approach to nutrition is simple\, evidence-based & food-first\, focusing on utilising the latest nutrition research to support all students and athletes. \n  \n\n\nSkyler Moulder\, Senior Nurse Advisor\, HIEDA \nSkyler did her Adult Nursing BSc at Kings College London in 2011 and went straight into community nursing. After the birth of her first son she stumbled into community school nursing and never looked back. During her time as a community school nurse she covered primary and secondary schools all across Cambridgeshire. She completed training such as the CAMHS foundation module\, Sexual Health and Contraception module and was trained in Safeguarding Children Level 3. She completed her PG Diploma in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing in 2016 when she was pregnant with her second son\, which she later topped up to a full MSc in 2023 when she was pregnant with her daughter! This also included qualifying as a Nurse Prescriber. Skyler co-lead the development of a 0-19 Duty Desk and the introduction of the Chathealth text service in Cambridgeshire Community Services. In 2019 she became a Team Manager for the CCS Healthy Child Programme – managing a team of Nursery Nurses\, Health Visitors and School Nurses during the pandemic. In 2020 she was recruited to be the Lead Nurse at The Leys in Cambridge\, to lead a team covering 24 hour care for around 575 pupils (over half of which are boarders). This is where she is now and where her passion for independent school nursing started. \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\n  \n  \n\n\nHarry Mansfield\, The Awareness Key  \nHarry Mansfield is an award winning trainer and best-selling author\, better known as “The MindPower Champion”.  She teaches how to achieve a VIPMind®; a mind that is Victorious\, Ignites and Protects the right way. \nCoaching for 25 years\, she and her licensees offer a trackable\, training blueprint teaching you how to “Power Up Your Mind Before It Powers You Down®”\, giving students and staff skills for todays’ fast paced\, ever changing world of high expectations. \nTo date all qualifications in this country have been reactive. Harry\, and her licensees\, show you how to train your mind to achieve success and avoid daily suffering. She shows the only way forward is to not have our heads in the sand and how to address the root cause. \n\nSarah Knight\, CEO and Founder\, The Allergy Team \nSarah Knight is Founder and CEO of The Allergy Team\, which supports schools to manage food allergies. The company co-created the Department for Education backed Schools Allergy Code\, a framework for best practice\, and runs Designated Allergy Lead training as well as the Schools Allergy Register. Before setting up The Allergy Team\, Sarah was a senior TV executive working on prime-time BBC shows including Your Home Made Perfect and the flagship consumer show\, Watchdog. Sarah has two children\, both with food allergies. \n  \n\nDr Jody Walshe\, Educational and Child Psychologist \nDr Jody Walshe is an Educational and Child Psychologist working in London borough. Jody completed her doctorate at the University of East London. She is also a Consultant Psychologist providing consultations for foster carers and supervising social workers. She is a registered member of the Health and Care Professions Council. Before commencing her training\, Jody worked as a teacher\, learning support assistant and tutor with young people from 5-19. The focus of much of her work looked at anxiety and mental health issues in school settings. Her doctoral research explored the experiences\, perceptions and training needs of secondary school staff working with self-harm. \n  \n\nTracey Boseley\, Head of Education Sector Support at Child Bereavement UK \nTracey’s links with the education sector began early in her career as she developed an outreach programme for schools and universities. This led her to qualify as a teacher and she has taught across the primary phase. She specialised in supporting vulnerable pupils and their families\, particularly young people with autism and sensory processing disorder. In 2018\, Tracey joined Child Bereavement UK; her role includes raising the profile of bereavement across the education sector\, research projects\, supporting education professionals\, developing resources and content for training courses. She has also designed online resources for education professionals in collaboration with London Grid for Learning.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/health-wellbeing-conference/
LOCATION:Haileybury\, Hertford SG13 7NU
CATEGORIES:Conference,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260505T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260506T163000
DTSTAMP:20260505T112100Z
CREATED:20250813T115910Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T112100Z
UID:64921-1777977000-1778085000@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Annual Conference for Heads
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ Included in 2025/26 membership for UK full members; £750 for international full members; £1\,125 for affiliates and day schools; £1\,500 for non-members\n🏠 Accommodation not included\n🎧 Heads\n📍 Crowne Plaza\, Stratford-upon-Avon \nHeadline sponsors: \n \n\n“As a boarding head you can’t afford not to be there.” \n\nWe look forward to welcoming Heads from our member schools to the Annual Conference for Heads\, taking place May 5–6\, 2026. This year’s theme is ‘Much ado about boarding: as you lead it’. \nAll UK full member schools receive one complimentary delegate place; however\, an RSVP is essential to confirm your booking. \nThis two-day event will bring together Heads to learn\, share\, and debate all things boarding\, exploring the latest challenges and opportunities for leaders in our sector. \nThe conference will also feature the BSA Annual Awards and Conference Dinner\, which will be held on May 5\, 2026. Click here to view the finalists. \nBOOK NOW\n \nPlease note: rooms at the Crowne Plaza Hotel are now fully booked for Tuesday May 5. \n\nConference programme\n\n\nTuesday May 5  \n10:30 – 11:00     Registration and refreshments   \n11:00 – 11:15     A new era   \n\nHenry Price FTIOB\, Conference Chair and Head\, Oakham School  \n\n11:15 – 12:15    The value of diversity in our schools  \n\nAyo Sokale\, Founder & CEO\, Tessellated Future Technology  \n\n12:15 – 12:45     The rationale and joy of boarding    \n\nSir Nicholas Coleridge CBE DL\, Provost\, Eton College  \n\n12:45 – 13:45     Lunch and networking   \n13:45 – 14:00     The connected school: why the future of boarding depends on clarity\, community and confidence  \n\nRob Eastment\, Head of Marketing (EMEA)\, Veracross   \n\n14:00 – 15:00     Shaping our futures: educating in a time of increasing complexity   \n\nNaheed Bardai\, Principal\, UWC Atlantic \nPupils from UWC Atlantic \n\n15:00 – 15:30     Refreshments and networking   \n15:30 – 16:30      The new age of sexism: how the AI revolution is reinventing  misogyny   \n\nLaura Bates\, Best-selling Author\, Keynote Speaker and Founder of the Everyday Sexism Project\n\n16:30 – 17:15     Leadership and governance on a global stage   \n\nRobin Fletcher FTIOB\, CEO\, BSA Group  \nRichard Harman\, CEO\, AGBIS  \nElizabeth Jones\, Partner\, Farrers \nRichard Stokes\, CEO\, Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA)  \nDavid Walker FTIOB\, Director\, BSA \n\n18:45 – 19:30     Drinks reception sponsored by IGTM   \nWith live performances from ‘Boarding Rocks’ Schools\, supported by The Band Project:   \n\nBromsgrove School  \nFelsted School   \nSidcot School  \n\n19:30     Conference dinner sponsored by Moore Barlow\, followed by BSA Supporting Excellence Awards  \n\nRichard Harman\, CEO\, AGBIS  \n\nWednesday May 6  \n06:50 – 08:00     Romeo and Jogliet 5km run (meet at hotel reception at 06:50 for a 07:00 start)   \n09:00 – 09:30     60 years of boarding and BSA: research\, reflection\, and the road ahead   \n\nGaelle Sullivan\, Director of Research\, Inclusion and IELA \n\n09:30 – 10:30     The Big Bold Mindset and Be More Human   \n\nCaspar Craven\, Bestselling Author & Leadership Consultant  \n\n10:30 – 11:00     Refreshments and networking   \n11:00 – 11:45      Breakout sessions:  \n    1. The Belonging Effect  \n\nHannah Wilson\, Founder & Director\, The Belonging Effect  \n\n    2. Creating stronger foundations together  \n\nSiân Champkin\, Partner\, VWV  \nNeil Mahapatra\, Chair\, BSA Group  \nHenry Price FTIOB\, Head\, Oakham School  \nJulie Robinson\, CEO\, ISC  \n\n    3.Managing staff absence   \n\nBen Collingwood\, Partner\, Moore Barlow  \nLily Bohling\, Solicitor\, Moore Barlow\n\n 11:45 – 12:00      Open to the world: how boarding schools are rethinking international student travel  \n\nMichael Barcroft\, CTO\, I-GTM  \nAndrew Steven\, School Liaison\, I-GTM \nDavid Williams\, CEO\, I-GTM  \n\n12:00 – 13:00      Lunch and networking   \n13:00 – 13:45      Breakout sessions:   \n    1. Gambling: identification\, prevention and early intervention \n\nNicola Jaques MBE Community\, Intervention\, Engagement & Family Support\, Beacon Counselling Trust & Chair\, GambleAware Lived Experience Council\n\n    2. From compliance to confidence: building the travel record that opens doors   \n\nMichael Barcroft\, CTO\, I-GTM   \nAndrew Steven\, School Liaison\, I-GTM  \nDavid Williams\, CEO\, I-GTM  \n\n    3. Recruiting boarders through your buildings: blending neuroscience with brand \n\nDr Joanne Ladds\, Associate Education Consultant\, Noble + Eaton\nAndrew Elias\, Brand Ambassador\, Noble + Eaton\n\n    4. From firefighting to leading with impact: your team is busy\, but are they truly leading?   \n\nTracy-Anne Barker\, Founder\, The Managers Training Company  \nKirstin Miller\, Business Manager\, The Managers Training Company   \n\n    5. From service to boarding   \n\nMark Mortimer\, Director of Defence and Military Services\, BSA Group   \n\n14:00 – 14:45      Breakout sessions:   \n    1. From dorm to dashboard: transforming boarding school operations    \n\nSam Bennett-Driver\, Account Executive\, Veracross \n\n    2. AI leadership tools in the toolbox  \n\nHeidi Reid\, CEO\, IDAT  \n\n    3. School transport: an expensive headache or a strategic opportunity  \n\nDominic Kalantary\, Founder\, Vectare  \nAlex Targett\, Global Director Growth\, Vectare  \n\n    4. Getting the most from your BSA membership  \n\nRobin Fletcher FTIOB\, CEO\, BSA Group  \n\n    5. Child Student visas & UKVI compliance in 2026  \n\nKate Hollyer MTIOB\, Partner\, BSA Legal  \n\n14:45 – 15:15      Refreshments and networking   \n15:15 – 16:00      Key safeguarding and compliance trends   \n\nDale Wilkins FTIOB\, Executive Director\, Scotland/Wales & Accredited/Compliance\, BSA Group \n\n16:00 – 16:15      Final remarks and close of conference  \n\n\n\n\nIt’s always stimulating and thought-provoking to meet colleagues and to hear from speakers with a range of different experiences. \n\n \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. \nBOOK NOW \n\nReally good opportunity to step away from the hubbub of school life for a couple of days\, do some free thinking and come away with new ideas.\n\n\nConference chair: \nHenry Price\, BSA Chair 2026 and Head\, Oakham School \nHenry has been Headmaster of Oakham School since September 2019. A Classics graduate of Oxford University\, he brings over 30 years of experience in the boarding sector. A boarder himself and former Housemaster\, Henry has worked at Sherborne\, Rugby\, Wellington School and Oakham. Henry is a strong advocate of the value of boarding and its benefits to pupils and families\, and deeply committed to all the staff who support and enrich these precious communities. \n\nSpeakers: \nSir Nicholas Coleridge CBE DL\, Provost\, Eton College \nNicholas is the Provost of Eton College and Chairman of Historic Royal Palaces. \nHe is a former Chairman of HM The King’s Campaign for Wool\, as well as the Victoria and Albert Museum\, and the British Fashion Council. \nHe was Co-Chair of the late Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant. \nFor thirty years\, he was successively Editorial Director\, Managing Director\, President and then Chairman of the Conde Nast Publishing Group. \nHe is the author of 14 books and commissioned a folly in Worcestershire by the architect Quinlan Terry. \n\nCaspar Craven\, Bestselling Author & Leadership Consultant\n \nCaspar Craven is a leading authority on the Mindset needed to achieve Big Bold Goals through Effective Leadership and Teamwork. A serial entrepreneur\, he has built and sold a tech business for a 7 figure sum\, worked as a CFO and at KPMG. He has twice sailed round the world – the first time as a team leader on a trophy winning racing yacht in the BT Global Challenge in 2000/1 and the second time as captain and team leader of his family team in 2014/16 with his wife and three young children under 10 years of age. \n\n \nAyo Sokale\, Founder & CEO\, Tessellated Future Technology \nAyo Sokale is a Chartered Civil Engineer\, BBC presenter and Labour councillor\, combining expertise in engineering\, media and public service. She works as a Project Manager and BIM lead for the Environment Agency in Eastern England\, achieving CEng within three years. Recognised as one of ICE President Robert Mair’s Future Leaders and an ICE Water Superhero\, she promotes sustainability and STEM careers as a mentor and ambassador. Ayo is also a public speaker and BBC Reel presenter\, and has supported charities through pageantry platforms. She was nominated for Top 50 Women in Engineering under 35 initiative recognising outstanding early-career professionals. \n\nNaheed Bardai\, Principal\, UWC Atlantic\n \nNaheed became Head of UWC Atlantic in August 2021. His leadership is rooted in the belief that education is a moral endeavour grounded in pluralism\, integrity\, generosity\, and trust. He previously served as Head of Upper School at Upper Canada College in Toronto and as Dean of Students and Principal of the Senior School at the Aga Khan Academy\, Mombasa. He holds degrees from Western University\, UBC\, UCL’s Institute of Education\, and Teachers College\, Columbia University.  Naheed is committed to educational innovation\, leading the development of the Systems Transformation Pathway to prepare young people for complex global challenges through agency\, ethical judgement\, and systems thinking. \n\n \nRichard Harman\, CEO\, AGBIS \nRichard Harman was educated at The King’s School\, Worcester\, followed by Trinity College\, Cambridge\, where he read English.  Having spent two years working for an academic publisher\, he decided his real vocation was in teaching.  After five years at Marlborough College teaching English and Drama\, during which time he also completed his PGCE at Exeter University\, he spent 12 years at Eastbourne College.  Progressing from Head of English to Housemaster of a Sixth Form girls’ house to member of the Senior Management Team\, he then became Headmaster of Aldenham in September 2000 and thence to Uppingham in 2006. After a decade leading Uppingham and 32 years overall in teaching\, he embarked on a third career as Chief Executive of AGBIS. Richard is much enjoying the challenges at AGBIS\, having been Chairman of the Boarding Schools’ Association for 2011-12 and Chairman of HMC for 2014-15. \n\nNeil Mahapatra\, Chair\, BSA Group \nNeil is the founder / CEO of EV Charging Business Zapgo\, and a founder / Partner at Kingsley Capital Partners in London\, which creates new businesses in growing markets. \nA former music scholar and house captain at Eton College\, Neil has served as President of the Oxford Union and was a Fulbright Scholar at Harvard Business School. He has also been Chair of Governors at Michaela Community School in Wembley and for over a decade\, was Chair of Trustees of the MASS Design Group\, a leading architecture firm that designs & builds projects promoting health\, social justice and human dignity. \n\n \nJulie Robinson\, CEO\, 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\nSiân Champkin\, Partner\, VWV \nSiân is a Partner in the corporate education transactions team\, specialising almost exclusively in the education sector and leading complex\, high-profile deals. She combines strong commercial experience with expertise in bridging charitable and commercial interests. She advises independent schools from early strategy\, including mergers\, through to completion and post-merger integration. Siân supports leading schools and education groups on acquisitions and transaction structuring. Clients value her commercial\, knowledgeable\, and approachable style. She serves on the Governing Board at Ardingly College\, writes “Merger Watch” for Independent School Management\, and regularly speaks at sector events\, sharing insights on trends and policy impacts. \n\n \nRichard Stokes\, CEO\, Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA) \nRichard Stokes is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA). He began his career in boarding in 1980 at Immanuel College\, Adelaide\, before moving to Brisbane in 1982 to St Peters Lutheran College\, where he served as Assistant Senior Boarding Master and later Coordinator of Boarding. In 1996\, Richard became Dean of Residential Care at St Joseph’s Nudgee College\, overseeing a boarding program of nearly 600 boys until 2005. Involved with ABSA since 1985\, he has held numerous leadership roles and became its first Executive Director in 2007. He achieved Certified Association Executive (CAE) status in June 2024. \n\n \nDavid Williams\, CEO\, I-GTM \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\nRob Eastment\, Head of Marketing (EMEA)\, Veracross \nRob Eastment is Head of Marketing (EMEA) at Veracross\, having worked in education since 1998. Rob taught in a range of different schools\, where as Head of IT and then as a Deputy Head\, one of his roles has been responsibility for digital strategy and staff development. Rob is an advocate of Growth Mindset and has worked extensively with the Flipped Learning model\, both as a teacher and in helping others implement it in the classroom. \n\nHannah Wilson\, Leadership Development consultant\, coach and trainer \nHannah Wilson is a Leadership Development consultant\, coach and trainer. She is the Co-Founder of #WomenEd and #DiverseEd. She is the Co-Editor of Diverse Educators:  A Manifesto and the author of Cultivating Belonging in Schools. She is the Founder/ Director of the Belonging Effect\,  a DEIB training provider and consultancy. \n\n \nHeidi Reid\, CEO\, i-Dat \nEducated in Canada and Australia\, Heidi has worked in international education as a teacher and principal for more than 25 years in Canada\, Japan\, Hong Kong and Australia. Heidi is a qualified primary school teacher with ESL specialisations. She is the founder and CEO of the International Diagnostic & Admissions Test (IDAT) and is based in Australia. Her passion and commitment to innovation in education has led her embrace AI and all it can bring to school management\, teaching & learning\, assessment and admissions. She speaks around the world about AI and the best practice for embracing this amazing tool while understanding the risks and pitfalls it can bring with it. \n\nSam Bennett-Driver\, Account Executive\, Veracross \nSam is a specialist in digital transformation for the UK independent school sector\, dedicated to helping institutions evolve from fragmented legacy systems to a single\, unified database. Based in the UK\, Sam partners with school leadership teams to streamline operations and enhance the entire student and family journey. \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. \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\nDr Joanne 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\nAndrew Elias\, Brand Ambassador\, Noble + Eaton  \nAfter helping to shape and scale multiple school group brands\, Andrew has established himself as one of the most authentic and connected voices in education brand strategy and business development. \nHis unique approach – blending personal brand building and a global network – has fuelled the expansion of groups\, supported major international school launches in the Middle East\, and contributed to the disruption now reshaping the UK education landscape. \n\n \nLaura Bates\, best-selling author\, keynote speaker and founder of the Everyday Sexism Project \nLaura Bates is a best-selling author\, keynote speaker and founder of the Everyday Sexism Project. Her books include Everyday Sexism (shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year) and the Sunday Times bestseller Girl Up\, Misogynation. Laura writes regularly for the New York Times and Guardian and is a frequent media commentator and consultant for TV productions tackling issues around gender inequality. \nIn recognition of Laura’s work surrounding sexism and gender inequality\, she was awarded a British Empire Medal in the 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honours List\, participated in President Obama’s White House Summit on the United State of Women and has been named Woman of the Year by Cosmopolitan\, Red Magazine and The Sunday Times Magazine. She is also an Honorary Fellow of St John’s College\, Cambridge\, and Vice President of the Hay Literary Festival. \n\nAlex Targett\, Global Director Growth\, Vectare \nAlex Targett is Growth Director at Vectare\, where he leads the company’s expansion. He works with schools\, local authorities\, and operators to deliver smarter\, more efficient home-to-school transport solutions that improve reliability\, visibility\, and cost-effectiveness. With a background in business development and transport technology\, Alex is focused on helping education providers modernise and optimise their transport operations through data-driven solutions. He is passionate about building long-term partnerships and supporting schools in delivering safe and sustainable services. Alongside his role at Vectare\, Alex is also a school governor at a BSA school. \n\nAndrew Steven\, School Liaison\, I-GTM \nAndrew Steven is a co-founder of I-GTM\, where he focuses on aligning technology delivery with operational requirements in boarding schools. He is responsible for ensuring systems are effectively implemented and function as intended in real-world environments. \nHe has played a central role in the development of I-GTM\, applying his technical expertise and understanding of student travel and safeguarding processes to shape the platform. \nPrior to I-GTM\, Andrew was a partner at BDP\, a SaaS provider for the Scottish conveyancing market\, where he contributed to the company’s growth through to its sale in 2016. \nAndrew’s career in IT began in the late 1990s in web design and e-commerce. He has experience working across both technical and user-facing roles\, with a focus on clear communication and practical implementation. \n\nTracy-Anne Barker\, Founder\, 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\nElizabeth Jones\, Partner\, Farrers \nElizabeth has extensive experience advising schools. Her areas of specialism include charity law\, mergers\, advice on managing engagement with the Charity Commission\, governance and constitutional issues and fundraising\, including major donations. Elizabeth has recently concluded her term as Chair of the Charity Law Association and is a pro bono adviser to the steering group for the Charity Investment Governance Principles.  Both Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 recommend Elizabeth Jones for her expertise in charities. \n\nMichael Barcroft\, CTO\, I-GTM \n\nDominic Kalantary\, Founder\, Vectare \n\nKirstin Miller\, Business Manager\, The Managers Training Company    \n\nSpeakers from the BSA team: \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. \n\n \nRobin Fletcher FTIOB\, 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\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\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 \nMark Mortimer\, Director of Defence and Military Services\, BSA Group   \nMark spent eight years as an infantry officer in the British Army\, was briefly a management consultant\, and then spent 25 years working in boarding schools; he was the Head of three BSA and HMC schools in both England and Scotland and was also the HMC Representative to the CCF Association and to the Armed Forces. He spent ten years on the HMC Professional Development Committee\, was an ISI inspector\, and a board member of the Scottish Council for Independent Schools (SCIS). He has twice rowed across the Atlantic\, completed the Marathon des Sables and cycled through the Arctic Circle. \n\n \nGaelle Sullivan\, Director of Research\, Inclusion and IELA \nGaelle is Director of Research\, Inclusion and IELA and joined the BSA in January 2023. She is an experienced senior leader and has worked in a range of state and independent schools. She is a qualified SENCO and holds a Masters Degree in Inclusive Education. Prior to joining the BSA\, Gaelle was Deputy Head Pastoral\, DSL and Head of Boarding at an all-girls independent school in the South-East.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/annual-conference-for-heads-3/
LOCATION:Crowne Plaza Stratford-upon-Avon
CATEGORIES:Conference,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260521T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260521T163000
DTSTAMP:20260520T132156Z
CREATED:20260210T091039Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260520T132156Z
UID:70286-1779355800-1779381000@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:AgentsConnect on Tour - London
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £250\n🎧 Admissions\, marketing and international recruitment staff\, Heads\, Deputy Heads and senior leaders involved in international strategy. Schools seeking to develop or refine their agent networks\n📍 Dulwich College \n\nCourse outline: \nAgentsConnect on Tour is a new pilot event designed exclusively for BSA member schools seeking to build strong\, effective relationships with international education agents. Developed in response to feedback from recent forums and events\, this face-to-face format moves away from traditional recruitment fairs and instead prioritises meaningful engagement\, discussion\, and collaboration. \nThe day combines practical insight sessions with high-quality networking\, enabling schools to meet agents in a structured\, focused environment and explore opportunities for long-term partnership. \nWhat to expect \n\nMorning sessions offering sector insights and guidance on working effectively with agents\nNetworking lunch with attending agents and school colleagues\nStructured afternoon networking\, giving schools dedicated time to meet agents at tables and hold in-depth conversations\n\nKey benefits for schools \n\nMeet a broad range of education agents in a focused\, professional setting\nBuild trusted relationships that support international recruitment strategies\nGain insight into agent perspectives\, markets and best practice\nTake part in a pilot format designed to encourage meaningful\, productive conversations\n\nThis event is currently fully booked. If you would like to be added to our waiting list\, please email bsa@boarding.org.uk  \nJoint with: \n \n\nProgramme: \n09:30 Registration and Refreshments \n10:00 – 10:15 BSA – State of the Boarding Nation \n\nSpeaker: David Walker\, FTIOB\, Executive Director\, Boarding & Education and Director\, BSA/TIOB\n\n10:15 – 11:15 Branding for the Global Stage: Attracting International Families with Confidence \n\nSpeaker: Phil Dean\, Studio Certain\n\n11:15 – 12:00 Creating a strategy for growth: new emerging boarding markets \n\nSpeaker: Guy Schady-Beckett\, ISS. Joined by a panel of agents\n\n12:00 – 13:00 LUNCH (School tour optional) \n13:00 – 16:30 Networking every 20 minutes \n\nSpeakers: \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\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\nGuy Schady-Beckett\, ISS. Joined by a panel of agents \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOver the past 12 years\, he has analysed demand for UK private education\, drawing on insights from 60\,000+ Independent Schools Show visitors and over 2\,500 high- and ultra-high-net-worth clients of Bonas MacFarlane. He also uses public demographic and wealth data to map broader trends. \nWith over 30 years’ experience\, Guy advises schools\, universities and education groups on research\, marketing and communications\, and regularly speaks across the sector. \nHis doctorate explored how statistical evidence shapes political debate and policymaking—a theme he believes remains just as relevant in today’s senior leadership decision-making.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/agentsconnect-on-tour-london/
LOCATION:Dulwich College\, London\, London\, SE21 7LD\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260522T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260522T210000
DTSTAMP:20260515T083824Z
CREATED:20260113T170303Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260515T083824Z
UID:69130-1779472800-1779483600@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Leadership through uncertainty
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ £150\n🎧 Leaders\n📍 Rugby School\n🥂 Refreshments served \n\nJoin us for the inaugural Lessons in Leadership event\, brought to you by the BSA’s Centre for Boarding Leadership. \nHaving commanded at every rank to 4*\, with 11 years on operations and with 10 years in UK Special Forces\, Sir Tim Radford will share some reflections about leading through uncertainty during his 40 years service in the British Army. \nDate: Friday May 22\, 2026 \nTimings: 18:00 – 21:00 \nA drinks reception will be hosted\, complemented by an assortment of Mediterranean sharing platters \nSession Topic : Leadership through Uncertainty \nSpeaker: \nGeneral (Retired) Sir Tim Radford KCB DSO OBE \nTim spent 40 years in the British Army\, during which he commanded at every rank up to 4*\, including 10 years with UK Special Forces and over 11 years on operations. His final appointment between April 20 and July 23 was as NATO’s 30th Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR) during a period of significant military transformation. Having commanded at every rank to 4*\, with 11 years on operations and with 10 years in UK Special Forces\, Tim Radford will share some reflections about leading through uncertainty during his 40 years service in the British Army.    \n  \n  \n  \nHost: \n \nRobin Fletcher FTIOB\, CEO\, BSA Group   \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. \nClick here to reserve your place \n  \nLessons in Leadership is a programme to support boarding school leaders as part of BSA’s new Centre for Boarding Leadership (CBL). The Lessons in Leadership programme comprises lectures from highly distinguished leaders in different fields\, including boarding alumni or people connected with boarding schools. These in-person Leadership events will be held at CBL partner BSA member schools in different parts of the UK.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/69130/
LOCATION:Rugby School\, Rugby CV22 5EH\, UK\, Rugby School\, Rugby\, CV22 5EH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Conference,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260604T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260604T163000
DTSTAMP:20260601T101952Z
CREATED:20260512T075302Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260601T101952Z
UID:75433-1780583400-1780590600@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Scotland Forum
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ Free of charge\n🎧 Boarding Staff\n📍 Fettes College\, Carrington Road\,Edinburgh\, Scotland EH4 1QX \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\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.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/scotland-forum-2/
CATEGORIES:Forum,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260609T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260609T163000
DTSTAMP:20260602T121623Z
CREATED:20260327T150939Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260602T121623Z
UID:72090-1780999200-1781022600@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Repositioning girls’ boarding in 2026
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £99\n📍 Queenswood School \n\nConference outline: \nRepositioning Girls’ Boarding in 2026 brings together sector leaders and practitioners to explore how boarding environments can evolve to better meet the needs of girls in a rapidly changing world. Through a series of expert-led discussions and practical sessions\, the conference will examine current challenges and future opportunities across wellbeing\, safeguarding\, pastoral care\, and student experience. \nFrom rethinking boarding models and addressing emerging risks such as online harms and misogyny\, to supporting physical health\, nutrition\, and inclusive participation in sport\, the programme offers a holistic approach to girls’ development. Delegates will leave with fresh insights\, practical strategies\, and renewed confidence to create supportive\, inclusive\, and future-focused boarding environments. \nBOOK NOW \nSponsored by \n \n\nPROGRAMME \n10:00 – 10:30 Registration and refreshments \n10:30 – 11:30 Session 1: Opening discussion; Current position of girls boarding \nSpeakers: David Walker\, Executive Director\, Boarding & Education and Director\, BSA/TIOB \nJo Cameron\, Principal\, Queenswood School \nSession 2: Remodelling boarding \nThis session will explore how boarding provision can be reimagined to meet the evolving needs of girls in 2026 and beyond. It will consider changes in student expectations\, wellbeing\, pastoral care\, and the role of boarding in modern school life\, offering practical insights into how schools can adapt and innovate their boarding models to remain relevant\, inclusive\, and impactful.  \nSpeaker: Jo Cameron\, Principal\, Queenswood School \n11:30 – 12:00 – Keynote from our Sponsor  \nSpeaker – Tracy-Anne Barker \n12:00 – 13:00 Networking lunch \n13:00 – 14:00 Session 3: Preparing Young People: Sexual Harassment\, Digital Harms and Online Misogyny  \nYoung women and girls are navigating a changing landscape of sexual harassment\, in public spaces\, and increasingly\, online. Drawing on Our Streets Now’s frontline work in sexual violence prevention with young people across the UK\, this session will explore the role of school staff in challenging the normalisation of harmful sexual behaviour. \nWe will cover how technology is shifting the nature of sexual violence\, including the rise of image-based abuse\, online misogyny and what this means for safeguarding pupils.\nThis will be an interactive session\, offering practical examples\, space to reflect on challenges\, and opportunities to share best practice with attendees. Attendees will leave with greater confidence in empowering young women and girls to navigate these issues\, and in creating environments where harmful behaviour is challenged\, not normalised. \nSpeaker: Issy Warren\, Schools and Programmes Lead\, Our Streets Now \n14:00 – 15:00 Session 4: Fuel\, Focus\, Flourish: Nutrition for Girls in Boarding Life  \nThis session explores how nutrition supports girls in boarding to maintain energy\, focus and overall wellbeing. With practical\, real-life strategies\, it will cover building healthy habits\, navigating busy school routines\, and supporting both academic and sporting performance. \nSpeaker: Eoin Schofield\, Qualified nutritionist \n15:00 – 15:30 Refreshments \n15:30 – 16:15 Session 5: Beyond the Team Sheet: Rethinking Sport for Every Girl in  Boarding Schools \nThis talk challenges traditional definitions of sport and participation\, and  considers how schools can broaden access and engagement for all girls.  It explores the cultural and emotional factors that influence participation\,  and how boarding schools can create more inclusive\, identity-affirming  environments that encourage lifelong physical activity.  \nSpeaker: Joanna (Joey) Gamper Cuthbert\, Squad Safe training and consultancy for Cheer\, Dance and Gymnastics \n16:15 – 16:30 Conference Close \n\nSpeakers: \nTracy-Anne Barker \nTracy-Anne is a UK-based leadership trainer\, coach\, and former senior leader with over 30 years of experience across the commercial\, public\, charity\, and education sectors. She has trained thousands of managers\, supervisors\, and team leaders\, helping them develop the skills and confidence to lead effectively. Inspired by the people who believed in and supported her own journey\, Tracy-Anne is passionate about helping others reach their potential regardless of background. Drawing on both her successes and early management mistakes\, she now supports education professionals through training\, mentoring\, and coaching. She is also the author of How Not to Balls It Up. \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. \n  \n\n Jo Cameron\, Principal\, Queenswood School \nJo Cameron has been Principal of Queenswood School since 2016\, having previously worked as Deputy Head at Ipswich High School for Girls. \nA graduate of the University of Surrey (St Mary’s College) with an honours degree in Environmental Science\, for the past 23 years Mrs Cameron has worked almost exclusively in all girls’ schools. She began her teaching career as a Science teacher specialising in Biology at St Mary’s\, Wantage\, where she quickly progressed to become Head of the Science Department. She has a deep understanding and appreciation of the unique opportunities that single sex education offers\, and is firmly of the belief that ‘happy girls are successful girls’. Beyond the classroom\, in her spare time Mrs Cameron is a keen sportswoman\, with a passion for hockey\, running and equestrianism. \n\nJoanna (Joey) Gamper Cuthbert\, Squad Safe training and consultancy for Cheer\, Dance and Gymnastics \nJoey Gamper Cuthbert is a best-selling author\, speaker\, and leading voice in youth sport\, athlete welfare\, and culture change. She is Chair of SportCheer England\, guiding the national growth of competitive cheerleading as an Olympic sport. A former dancer\, athlete\, head coach\, and programme owner\, she has worked across sport at all levels. As Team Manager for Team England Adaptive Abilities\, she won gold and silver medals at the ICU World Championships (2016–17). Joey is also Head of Engagement at Impact Dance\, founder of Squad Safe consultancy\, and author of Squad Safe; championing safer\, empowering environments for young athletes. \n\nIssy Warren\, Schools and Programmes Lead\, Our Streets Now \nIssy Warren leads the development and delivery of all educational programmes at Our Streets Now. She has spent the past six years speaking to thousands of young people about their experiences of sexual harassment\, gender stereotypes\, misogyny and digital harms. Specialising in how sexual violence becomes normalised\, Our Streets Now supports schools to deliver relationships and sex education that prevents sexual harassment and safeguards pupils. \n  \n\nEoin Schofield\, Qualified nutritionist \nA qualified nutritionist with an undergraduate degree in Sport and Exercise Nutrition and an MSc in Sports Nutrition\, I bring experience across both public health and elite sport settings. I spent three years working in public health on an adult weight management programme and have five years of experience supporting youth and professional athletes. My work has included roles with Lincoln City FC\, Notts County FC\, Bradford City AFC Academy\, Leicestershire County Cricket Club Academy\, and GB Taekwondo Youth Pathway. I am passionate about helping individuals optimise health\, wellbeing\, and performance through practical\, evidence-based nutrition strategies.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/bsa-repositioning-girls-boarding-in-2026/
CATEGORIES:Conference,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260615T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260615T163000
DTSTAMP:20260604T163617Z
CREATED:20260423T102835Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260604T163617Z
UID:74725-1781515800-1781541000@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:New in boarding: for September starters and staff in their first two years in boarding
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ £150 – New starter package (includes one year of TIOB membership!) \n🎧 New boarding staff due to begin in September and staff within the first two years of their boarding career\n📍 Duke’s Headquarters\, Buckingham Gate\, London \nBOOK NOW \n\nStarting a career in boarding can be both exciting and challenging. Whether you are preparing for a new role this September or navigating your first two years in a boarding environment\, this conference aims to support and inspire all staff at the beginning of their boarding journey. \nJoin us in London for this brilliant networking opportunity alongside experienced boarding sector professionals and peers for practical guidance\, reassurance\, and a clearer understanding of what to expect from your role. Through a series of focused sessions\, we’ll explore structure and opportunities within a boarding career\, gaining insight into the wider boarding landscape and how different schools and systems operate. \nThe day will offer a valuable opportunity to learn\, connect\, and feel supported as you build your career in boarding. \nTraining topics: \n\nWhat does a career in boarding look like?\nThe boarding landscape\nDuties in the boarding house\nFirst term pupil challenges\, such as homesickness\nSafeguarding priorities\nPupil safety and wellbeing\nMaintaining a healthy work/life balance\n\nDelivered by the TIOB Fellows’ Network. \n\nEvent programme: \n9:30 Registration + refreshments  \n10:00 Welcome and introduction\nSpeaker: David Walker FTIOB\,  Executive Director\, Boarding\, Director BSA/TIOB  \n10:15 Session one: Managing work/life balance\nSpeakers:\nMatthew Fogg\, Head Master\, The Oratory School\nKate Simlett FTIOB\, Deputy Head\, Pastoral and DSL\, Tudor Hall School\nNichola Haworth\, Deputy Head\, Boarding\, Sevenoaks School \n11:00 Session two: Delivering in the boarding house – what it means to do a duty\nSpeakers:\nHelen Walker\, Deputy Head Boarding and Pastoral Care\, St Andrew’s College Cambridge\nJames Marriott FTIOB\, Senior Boarding Housemaster and Teacher of Geography\nNichola Haworth\, Deputy Head\, Boarding\, Sevenoaks School \n11:45 Session three: First term pupil challenges\nSpeakers:\nAlly Onions FTIOB\,  Head of Safeguarding and Mental Health at St George’s School Windsor Castle\nJames Marriott FTIOB\, Senior Boarding Housemaster and Teacher of Geography \n12:30 Networking lunch  \n13: 30 Session four: Safeguarding\nDelyth Lynch\, Director of Safeguarding\, Wellington College\nPaul Ludlow\, Regulatory and Compliance Director\, Duke’s Education \n14:30 Session five: Working with parents\nSpeakers:\nKate Simlett FTIOB\, Deputy Head\, Pastoral and DSL\, Tudor Hall School\nTom Hollyer\, Housemaster\, Uppingham School \n15:15 Refreshments  \n15:45 Session six: What does a career in boarding look like?\nSpeakers:\nMatthew Fogg\, Head Master\, Oratory School\nDavid Walker\, FTIOB\,  Executive Director\, Boarding\, Director BSA/TIOB \n16:30 Conference close \n\nSpeaker: \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. \n  \n\n \nKate Simlett\, Deputy Head (Pastoral)\, Tudor Hall School \nKate has been working in all girls and co-educational independent boarding and day schools for over 25 years.   Positions held previously by Kate include teacher of PE and PSHE\, Head of Girls Games\, Head of Sport\, Senior Housemistress and Director of Wellbeing. Kate is currently the Deputy Head Pastoral\,  DSL and Head of Boarding in an all girls’ independent boarding and day school\, and has held this position for 7 years. During this time\, Kate has become a lead Safeguarding Trainer for the local authority and has implemented and delivers an in-house safeguarding training programme within her current school. Alongside this work\, Kate leads and coordinates the school’s bespoke overseas volunteering programme which supports two schools\, one in South Africa and one in India. Kate is also an ISI Team Inspector.  \n\n \nAlly Onions FTIOB\,  Head of Safeguarding and Mental Health at St George’s School Windsor Castle \nAlly Onions is currently the Head of Safeguarding and Mental Health at St George’s School Windsor Castle. With her husband Jonny\, they run the boarding house\, which includes looking after the choristers who sing in St George’s Chapel. Ally has worked in boarding education for over 20 years. She has completed an MA in Boarding Education\, looking at resilience and prep boarders. Ally is a trained Mental Health First Aider and Instructor Member. \n  \n\n \nDelyth Lynch\, Director of Safeguarding\, Wellington College \nDelyth has been on the Senior Leadership Team at Wellington College for 16 years. She has enjoyed a career boarding spanning over 25 years\, having been Director of Extra-Curricular Activities\, Housemistress and Deputy Head (Pastoral). \nPassionate about safeguarding\, Delyth’s work has been cited by IICSA. She speaks regularly around the issue of culture within schools and the work that she has pioneered at Wellington around values\, behaviours and attitudes interviewing and low-level concerns. Delyth’s work has been recognised on the national stage as she was awarded the Safeguarding and Child Protection Association’s Outstanding initiative award for two consecutive years. Co-author of the Farrer & Co guides\, Developing and implementing a low-level concerns policy:  A guide for organisations which work with children and Addressing child-on-child abuse: a resource for schools and colleges\, Delyth is also an active member of the NADSL and vice chair of governors at an independent school in Wokingham. She is a NSPCC-accredited trainer\, trained in supervision and in the delivery of safer recruitment training. Delyth is also the author of Beyond Compliance: The DSL’s guide to creating a school-wide culture of safeguarding. \n\n \nTom Hollyer\, Housemaster\, Geography teacher\, and senior pastoral leader  \nTom Hollyer is an experienced Housemaster\, Geography teacher\, and senior pastoral leader with a strong track record across leading UK boarding schools. Currently Housemaster of Fircroft at Uppingham School\, he oversees the pastoral and academic welfare of 56 boys aged 13–18 and contributes to whole-school wellbeing\, outreach\, and recruitment. A Fellow of both the Royal Geographical Society and the Institute of Boarding\, Tom is also a qualified mindfulness teacher and Youth Mental Health First Aider. His career spans roles at Caldicott and RGS High Wycombe\, where he led boarding teams\, strengthened safeguarding practice\, and shaped thriving pastoral cultures. \n\n \nPaul Ludlow\, Compliance Director\, Head of Safeguarding & Safeguarding Governor \nPaul started his career in education in 1984 as an Assistant Housemaster in a state boarding school\, before moving onto Housemaster and Head of Boarding roles in both state and independent boarding schools. Paul also spent time in senior roles in residential special schools with reasonability for residential care and safeguarding. Paul joined Dukes Education in 2017 as Compliance Director (Colleges)\, in addition to this role he is Safeguarding Governor for ten Dukes colleges\, seven of which are boarding. \n  \n\n \nJames Marriott FTIOB\, Senior Boarding Housemaster and Teacher of Geography \nJames Marriott is Senior Boarding Housemaster and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead at Bedford School. He has worked in boarding schools for nearly two decades as a visiting tutor\, Assistant Housemaster and Housemaster. James has worked in co-educational\, diamond model and all boys settings and teaches Geography alongside coaching school sport. He has completed the BSA Diploma in Professional Practice – Leadership and previously the BSA Certificate in Boarding Practice – Pastoral Care & Boarding Management. \n  \n\n \nHelen Walker\, Deputy Head Boarding and Pastoral Care\, St Andrew’s College Cambridge \nHelen Walker began her career as a classroom teacher in the state sector\, serving as Head of Religious Education before specialising in boarding and pastoral care. She developed her boarding and safeguarding expertise at Oundle School\, where she was a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead. She later joined the Senior Leadership Team at Abbey College Cambridge as Director of Boarding. Helen is currently Deputy Head (Pastoral Care and Boarding) and Designated Safeguarding Lead at St Andrew’s College Cambridge. She is committed to the richness and diversity of boarding life\, creating environments where young people feel safe\, supported\, and able to thrive. \n\nNichola Haworth\, Physics teacher and Deputy Head of Boarding at Sevenoaks School FTIOB \nWith over 30 years of experience in boarding education Nichola has spent 16 of those years in residential roles\, living and working within boarding communities and developing a deep understanding of students’ day‑to‑day experiences. \nHer work centres on creating a high-quality\, supportive boarding environment where students thrive both personally and academically. She has particular expertise in boarding compliance\, ensuring that practice aligns with the highest standards of safeguarding and regulatory requirements\, and in the recruitment\, development and support of boarding staff. \n\nThis event is hosted by:
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/new-in-boarding-for-september-starters-and-staff-in-their-first-two-years-in-boarding/
LOCATION:Duke’s Headquarters\, 58 Buckingham Gate\, London\, SW1E 6AJ\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Conference,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260701T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260701T163000
DTSTAMP:20260612T123416Z
CREATED:20260211T084131Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260612T123416Z
UID:70585-1782898200-1782923400@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:AgentsConnect on Tour - State Boarding Schools
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £100\n🎧 Admissions\, marketing and international recruitment staff\, Heads\, Deputy Heads and senior leaders involved in international strategy. Schools seeking to develop or refine their agent networks\n📍 Royal Alexandra & Albert School (Gatton Park)  \n\nCourse outline: \nAgentsConnect on Tour – State Boarding Schools is a dedicated event designed to support the UK’s state boarding sector in building effective relationships with international education agents and strengthening awareness of the state boarding offer. \nThere are currently 30 state boarding schools across the UK\, collectively educating around 4\,700 boarders. With fees covering residential costs only\, state boarding provides a more affordable boarding pathway for eligible families\, including UK citizens\, British passport holders living overseas and students with the right to residence in Britain. This distinctive model presents both opportunities and challenges when working with agents and communicating the offer clearly. \nThis event moves beyond traditional recruitment fairs and instead prioritises informed discussion\, sector insight and meaningful engagement. The day combines practical guidance with structured networking\, enabling schools to connect with agents in a focused environment and explore opportunities for sustainable\, compliant partnerships. \nWhat to expect \n\nMorning insight sessions focused on the state boarding proposition and working effectively with agents\nGuidance on eligibility\, messaging and market positioning\nNetworking lunch with attending agents and state boarding colleagues\nStructured afternoon networking\, providing dedicated time for in-depth conversations with agents\n\nKey benefits for schools \n\nMeet education agents in a focused\, professional setting\nBuild trusted relationships that align with the state boarding eligibility framework\nStrengthen messaging around affordability and accessibility\nShare best practice with other state boarding schools\nContribute to raising awareness and understanding of the state boarding model\n\nJoint with: \n \nBOOK YOUR PLACE HERE \n\nProgramme: \n09:30 \nRegistration and Refreshments \n10:00 – 10:15 \nBSA – State of the Boarding Nation \nSpeaker: David Walker\, FTIOB\, Executive Director\, Boarding & Education and Director\, BSA/TIOB \n10:15 – 10:45 \nSponsor expert speaker \n10:45 – 11:15 \nBranding for the Global Stage: Attracting International Families with Confidence \nSpeaker: Phil Dean\, Studio Certain \n11:15 – 12:00 \nCreating a strategy for growth: new emerging boarding markets \nSpeaker: Guy Schady-Beckett\, ISS. Joined by a panel of agents \n12:00 – 13:00 \nLUNCH \n13:00 – 16:30 \nNetworking every 20 minutes \n\nSpeakers: \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\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\nGuy Schady-Beckett\, ISS. Joined by a panel of agents \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOver the past 12 years\, he has analysed demand for UK private education\, drawing on insights from 60\,000+ Independent Schools Show visitors and over 2\,500 high- and ultra-high-net-worth clients of Bonas MacFarlane. He also uses public demographic and wealth data to map broader trends. \nWith over 30 years’ experience\, Guy advises schools\, universities and education groups on research\, marketing and communications\, and regularly speaks across the sector. \nHis doctorate explored how statistical evidence shapes political debate and policymaking—a theme he believes remains just as relevant in today’s senior leadership decision-making.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/agentsconnect-on-tour-state-boarding-schools/
CATEGORIES:In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261001T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261001T140000
DTSTAMP:20260916T102405Z
CREATED:20260106T143202Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260916T102405Z
UID:68902-1790848800-1790863200@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:BSA South Central Forum
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ Free of charge\n🎧 Heads\, deputy heads\, boarding staff\n📍 d’Overbroecks \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\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 \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. \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/bsa-south-central-forum-2/
LOCATION:d’Overbroecks\, 333 Banbury Road\, Oxford\, OX2 7PL\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Forum,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261014T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261014T163000
DTSTAMP:20260925T101122Z
CREATED:20260423T145819Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260925T101122Z
UID:74801-1791970200-1791995400@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Visa and Immigration Autumn Term Conference
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £250 🎧 Admissions\, marketing\, senior leaders\, boarding staff\, bursars 📍 Mill Hill School \n\nCourse Outline:  \nThis conference will provide independent schools with a practical update on the changing immigration and Student sponsorship landscape. \nDelegates will hear from Home Office representatives about the new BCA framework\, lessons from recent UKVI inspections\, sponsorship and safeguarding\, emerging fraud risks and current compliance priorities. \nThe day will conclude with an interactive legal update and an opportunity for delegates to ask questions directly to immigration specialists. \nTraining topics will include \n\nCurrent immigration and Student sponsorship developments\nThe new BCA framework\nLessons from recent UKVI inspections\nSponsorship\, safeguarding and student welfare\nHome Office compliance priorities\nImmigration fraud and unregulated advice\nMaintaining robust compliance systems\nRecent legal developments and case law\n\nBOOK NOW \n\n  \nThis event will be held jointly with: \n              \n  \n  \n\nProgramme: 09:30 – 10:00 Registration and refreshments  10:00 – 10:30 Welcome and sector update: the immigration landscape for schools  The immigration environment for independent schools continues to evolve. This session will examine the latest developments in Student sponsorship\, the new BCA framework\, increasing compliance activity and emerging issues from the 2026 visa season\, with a focus on what these changes mean for schools in practice.  \n\nKate Hollyer\, Director\, BSA Legal \n\n10:30 – 11:15 UKVI inspections: Lessons learned from the front line  Recent UKVI inspections have highlighted key areas of focus for sponsors. Hear first-hand experiences from schools that have recently undergone inspections\, alongside expert commentary on common themes\, practical challenges and how schools can prepare for future compliance visits.  \n\nKate Hollyer FTIOB\, Director\, BSA Legal  \nMark Taylor\, Consultant\, BSA Legal\n\n11:15 – 11:45 Refreshments and networking  \n11:45 – 12:30 Sponsorship\, safeguarding and student welfare  \n12:30 – 13:30 Networking lunch  \n13:30 – 14:15 Home Office update  An official update from UK Visas and Immigration covering the latest developments in sponsorship\, operational changes\, compliance priorities and current areas of focus for education providers\, followed by an opportunity for questions.  \n14:15 – 14:30 – Sponsor session  Sponsor presentation.  \n14:30 – 14:45 Refreshments and networking  \n14:45 – 15:30 Fraud\, compliance and the future of sponsorship  This session explores emerging risks surrounding immigration fraud\, sponsor responsibilities and maintaining robust compliance systems. Delegates will gain practical guidance on identifying risk and protecting their organisation.  \n\nGaon Hart\, Immigration Services Commissioner\n\n15:30 – 16:30 Legal update and Q&A  An interactive session exploring recent legal developments\, case law\, compliance expectations and frequently asked questions from sponsors. Delegates will have the opportunity to put their questions directly to leading immigration specialists.  \n\nKate Hollyer MTIOB\, Partner and Director\, BSA Legal \nHazar El-Chamaa\, Partner\, Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP\n\n16:30 Conference close  \n\nSpeakers: \n\n \nKate Hollyer MTIOB\, Partner and Director\, BSA Legal A 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\nAntonia Price\, Head of Immigration\, BSA Legal Antonia is Head of Immigration\, joining BSA after over 20 years working in Immigration and Global Mobility across a range of industries.  Antonia’s focus has always been on delivering an excellent client service by building strong and trusted relationships with her contacts and understanding their priorities and needs.  She has extensive experience on a range of visa application types and the processes and requirements of the Home Office.  Antonia was particularly keen to join the BSA group because her boarding school experience as a child was wonderful and she has always advocated boarding life and the positive aspects surrounding it. \n  \n  \n\nGaon Hart\, Immigration Services Commissioner Gaon is currently Immigration Services Commissioner\, the regulator for immigration advisers\, Chair of the Police Advisory Board for England & Wales\, and NED for the NHS Counter Fraud Authority\, protecting the NHS from £1.3 Billion fraud risk. He is a Board member for the Cambridge Centre for Applied Research into Human Trafficking and Chair of the Legal Advisory Board for Abitas Group’s Legal firm. He is also Managing Director of Legal Advisory Worldwide\, a boutique consultancy specialising in global corporate economic crime risk prevention. He also Chairs and legally advises multiple regulatory bodies on fitness to practice hearings. As a former Senior Crown Advocate and private sector senior executive leading global corporate compliance programmes in the financial and tech sectors\, he combines technical AI expertise with a pragmatic passion for effective Board governance. Gaon’s capabilities focus on building effective & trusting relationships in challenging\, complex and high-profile situations. \n\nMark Taylor\, Consultant\, BSA Legal \n\n\n\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. \n\nHazar El-Chamaa\, Partner\, Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP \nHazar has over 20 years’ immigration experience and has been advising education providers on all aspects of compliance\, risk management\, and strategic restructuring since the inception of Tier 4. As part of the firm’s dedicated education practice\, Hazar supports providers on the full lifecycle of sponsorship—from audit readiness and Home Office inspections to crisis response and licence challenges including to Home Office decisions impacting sponsors\, bringing a strategic litigation perspective to compliance issues. Hazar is a frequent speaker on immigration law and gives training on sponsor compliance. She is a former chair of ILPA (Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association) and remains an active member\, helping to shape the future of immigration policy. Hazar is consistently recommended in leading legal directories\, including Chambers UK. Penningtons is recognised as a key link between the Home Office and the education sector\, supporting institutions in implementing and responding to the ongoing changes to the UK immigration and sponsorship system.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/visa-and-immigration-autumn-term-conference/
LOCATION:Mill Hill School\, The Ridgeway\, Mill Hill Village\, London\, NW7 1QS
CATEGORIES:Conference,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261014T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261014T210000
DTSTAMP:20260917T151611Z
CREATED:20260702T100306Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260917T151611Z
UID:77208-1792000800-1792011600@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Lessons in Leadership
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £45\n🎧 Leaders\n📍 Kingswood School\n🥂 Refreshments served \n\nLessons in Leadership is a programme to support boarding school leaders as part of BSA’s new Centre for Boarding Leadership (CBL).  \nThe Lessons in Leadership programme comprises lectures from highly distinguished leaders in different fields\, including boarding alumni or people connected with boarding schools. These in-person Leadership events will be held at CBL partner BSA member schools in different parts of the UK. Typical Lessons in Leadership events will be for around a dozen delegates.  \nDate: Wednesday October 14\, 2026 \nTimings: 18:00 – 21:00 \nVenue: Kingswood School\, Lansdown Road\, Bath\, BA1 5RG \nA drinks reception will be hosted. \nSession Topic: Leadership Principles in a state of constant change\, with Phil de Glanville \nIn an interactive session\, Phil\, Robin and Andrew will explore how to stay true to leadership principles when change is battering you from all sides. Bringing some of his elite sporting experiences\, Phil will also lean on 30 years in both commercial and public sector leadership roles\, to outline some key tenets of leadership practices. \nGuest Speaker: \nPhil de Glanville\, Former England Rugby Captain and Director\, Hanover Fox UK \nPhil de Glanville has built a career spanning elite sport\, the commercial sector\, public service\, education\, and executive search. He was educated at Bryanston School\, Durham University (Politics and Economics)\, and Oxford University. \nA former England rugby international\, Phil won 38 caps and captained England during the 1996 season. He was a regular member of the national squad from 1992 to the 1999 Rugby World Cup\, featuring in more than 60 matchday squads. At Bath Rugby\, he made over 200 appearances across 12 years\, captaining the club for an unprecedented five years and helping secure three league-and-cup doubles as well as the 1998 European Cup. He also represented the Barbarians. \nWhile rugby remained an amateur sport\, Phil worked in sales and marketing for Cow & Gate Nutricia (now part of Danone). In 1996\, he joined international IT consultancy Xansa and balanced his professional and rugby careers until retiring from the game in 2001\, when he returned full-time to Xansa in a partnership development role with SAP. \nPhil then spent nine years at Sport England in development and relationship management roles\, including responsibility for managing investment into five National Governing Bodies of Sport. In 2012\, he joined Hartpury College and University as Director of Elite Sport\, leading a team of 30 coaches and support staff across eight sports. \nFor more than 10 years\, Phil has worked in executive search with Hanover Fox UK\, specialising in Consumer Goods\, Manufacturing\, and the Not-for-Profit sector. Based in Bath and London\, he became one of the firm’s three co-owners in 2018. \nPhil lives in Bath with his wife and three sons. He completed a six-year term as a Rugby Football Union Board member in 2024 and is currently President of the Students RFU. \n\nHosts: \nRobin Fletcher\, Chief Executive \nRobin Fletcher is CEO of Abitas 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  \n  \n  \n\nAndrew Gordon-Brown\, Headmaster and Principal\, Kingswood School\, Bath\, UK \nAndrew joined Kingswood in September 2020 as Headmaster and Principal of the Foundation. He moved to Bath from Cornwall where he spent seven years as Headmaster of Truro School\, having previously been Deputy Headmaster at Stonyhurst College and at Radley College where he began his school career and qualified as a teacher. \nAndrew studied at Hyde Park High School in Johannesburg\, the University of Cape Town and later Keble College\, Oxford.  He is a qualified Chartered Accountant. \nPrior to his career switch\, Andrew enjoyed a 12 year career in banking and finance\, as well as rowing for South Africa at the 1992 Olympics and for Oxford in the 1994 Boat Race. This has allowed him to bring life lessons from a variety of experiences to his teaching career\, including the importance of working as a team. Andrew is particularly committed to empowering others to be the best they can. \nMarried with three children\, Andrew is both a sportsman and a music lover. \n  \nClick here to book your place
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/lessons-in-leadership-2/
CATEGORIES:Accredited Training,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261105T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261105T163000
DTSTAMP:20260917T161220Z
CREATED:20260408T121727Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260917T161220Z
UID:72757-1793871000-1793896200@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Annual safeguarding conference
DESCRIPTION:🏷️From £250 (Non member Delegate Fee includes 1 year SACPA membership)\n🎧 All those involved in safeguarding\n📍 Broadway House\, Tothill Street\, London SW1H 9NQ\n🏆 Winners announced for the Annual Safeguarding Awards (enter before October 1\, 2026) \n\nWith significant changes to safeguarding guidance now in effect\, this conference provides an essential update for safeguarding professionals across health\, social care\, sports\, and the voluntary sector. Focusing on Working Together 2026\, Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 and contemporary safeguarding practice\, delegates will gain practical insights into creating resilient organisations\, strengthening safeguarding culture and improving outcomes for children and young people. \nBOOK NOW \nThis event will be held jointly with: \n \n\n09:30 – 10:00  Registration & refreshments \n\n10:00 – 10:15  Welcome: The safeguarding journey from regulation to reflection \nAn introduction to the conference theme\, exploring how regulation\, relationships\, reasoning and reflection contribute to effective safeguarding and resilient organisations. \n\nSpeaker: Mariya Ali\, Director of SACPA\n\n\n10:15 – 10:45  Regulate before we educate \nAn immersive movement-based opening experience demonstrating how regulation through movement and sensory experiences supports learning\, well-being and effective safeguarding practice. This session will also focus building on our cultural humility. \n\nSpeaker: Julene Robinson\, Movement Specialist\n\n\n10:45 – 11:00  Break \n\n11:00 – 11:45  Beyond compliance: reflective practice as a safeguarding intervention \nDiscover how reflective practice strengthens professional judgement\, support staff wellbeing and helps build a positive safeguarding culture. \n\nSpeaker: Dr Sylvia B Smith (FHEA\, SWE Registered\, MBASW)\n\n\n11:15 – 12:00  The child’s voice in action: Recruitment\, culture and accountability \nLearn how involving children in recruitment and organisational decision making can strengthen safeguarding culture and accountability. \n\nSpeaker: Tricia Young\, BBC\, Children in Need\n\n\n12:00 – 12:15  How critical are young people’s voice in the discussion of the manosphere?  \n\nSpeaker: Jemima Corcoran \n\n\n12:15 – 12:45  Panel Discussion Trauma-informed workplaces \nExplore how psychologically safe workplaces\, informed by care experience\, can improve wellbeing\, retention and safeguarding practice.  \n\nSpeakers: Mariya Ali\, Louis Donald\,\nChair: Dale Wilkins\n\n\n12:45 – 13:30 Lunch \n\n13:30 – 14:15  Teenage relationship abuse: recognising coercion\, control and harm \nGain practical insights into recognising and responding to abuse in adolescent relationships\, including coercive control and technology- facilitated harm. \n\nSpeaker: Maddi Brunker\, Head of Adult Services at Tender Education and Arts\n\n\n14:15 – 15:00  Safeguarding in 2026: Working Together\, KCSIE and what inspectors expect \nA practical update on the latest safeguarding\, legislation and inspection expectations for education and safeguarding professionals. \n\nSpeaker: Kevin Hartley\, Senior Consultant for the NSPCC\n\n\n15:00 – 15:15 Refreshments \n\n15:15 – 15:45  Artificial intelligence\, sport and safeguarding \nExplore the safeguarding implications of AI\, deepfakes\, digital identity and emerging online risks for children and young people. \n\nSpeaker: Rosalind Harrison\, Social Media and Content Marketer\n\n\n15:45 – 16:30  Closing keynote: why regulation\, relationships and resilience in key for effective safeguarding \nBringing together the day’s key themes\, this keynote explores how organisations can embed resilient\, relationship-based safeguarding cultures. \n\n16:30 – 16:45  Annual safeguarding awards and close \nThe SACPA Awards are held annually each autumn to celebrate and recognise outstanding contributions to safeguarding and child protection. Interested in entering? Find out more here. Please note\, entries will close on October 1\, 2026. \n\nSpeakers: \nDr Mariya Ali\, Director\, SACPA \nMariya is an internationally recognised safeguarding and child protection expert with over 20 years’ multidisciplinary experience. She has held senior advisory\, academic\, legal\, and leadership roles\, including serving as Maldives Minister of Gender\, Family\, and Human Rights\, leading reforms in child protection law and policy. Internationally\, she has advised UNICEF\, UNDP\, and ECPAT on child sexual abuse\, exploitation\, and protection systems. Holding qualifications in law and child psychology\, she has published widely on child rights\, online safety\, and trauma-informed practice. Mariya’s strategic vision\, policy expertise\, and frontline insight equip her to bring both global perspective and local understanding to SACPA’s mission. \n  \n\nJulene Robinson\, Movement Specialist \nJulene is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist\, scientist\, and wellbeing practitioner. A Master’s graduate of Rose Bruford College who also holds a BSc in Environmental Chemistry she combines artistic practice with scientific inquiry to explore leadership\, resilience\, and human flourishing. A trained yoga and meditation instructor\, Julene integrates a mind-body-spirit approach into her creative practice\, championing wellbeing\, healing\, and sustainable creativity. Recognised by Arts Council England as a global leader in theatre and performance\, Julene’s work centres on the power of storytelling to inspire personal and social transformation. Through performance\, facilitation\, and research\, she empowers artists\, leaders\, and communities to cultivate resilience\, lead with authenticity\, and build cultures of care. \n  \n\n \nDr Sylvia B Smith (FHEA\, SWE Registered\, MBASW) \nSylvia is Founder and Director of Incline Training Consultants Ltd\, specialising in social work education\, leadership development\, and anti-racist practice. Her doctoral research examined how psychoanalytical approaches can strengthen social work leadership. She offers reflective practice\, coaching\, and supervision to individuals\, groups\, and teams across the sector\, and is co-convenor of The Reflective Practice Research Network. Sylvia’s work includes commissioned evaluation of anti-racist practice strategy and supporting doctoral students in their research development. She hosts the Social Workers Matter podcast\, serves as Vice Chair of a Fostering and Adoption Panel and is currently one of the guest editors for a special issue of the British Journal of Social Work due for publication in the autumn. \n\nRosalind Harrison\, Social Media and Content Marketer \nRos Harrison is a social media and video content specialist who supports schools and child-focused organisations in using online communications safely. Ros has 20 years of experience working with children and young people in both the public and third sectors\, including facilitating safeguarding and CEOP training for local authority youth workers and developing domestic abuse awareness programmes for staff and pupils in primary settings. With 15 years of experience as a digital marketer\, specialising in GDPR and compliance\, across professional services and local authorities\, she now helps schools develop effective management systems and robust safeguarding practices when representing themselves on social media through her business\, Harrison Media Solutions. \n\nAileen Kane\, Deputy CEO and COO\, BSA Group \nAileen is Deputy CEO and COO of BSA Group\, a group of membership associations comprising BAISIS (British Association of Independent Schools with International Students)\, BSA (Boarding Schools’ Association)\, IELA (The Inclusion and Equity Leadership Association)\, HIEDA (Health in Education Association)\, SACPA (Safeguarding and Child Protection Association)\, TIOB (The Institute of Boarding and BSA Legal Services Ltd\, a subsidiary of BSA Group Services Ltd. BSA Group’s mission is to support excellence in boarding\, safeguarding\, inclusion and health education. \nBSA Group serves 4\,500 organisations and individuals in more than 50 countries. Within BSA is the BSA certified agent scheme\, launched in 2020 and now representing over 100 certified agents. \nAileen is a seasoned marketing and communications strategist with extensive experience in driving business growth\, brand positioning\, and stakeholder engagement\, including in the education sector. At BSA Group\, she has led strategic marketing\, business development\, mergers and acquisitions\, 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 supporting best practice and high care standards notably across safeguarding and international student recruitment. \n\nDale Wilkins\, Executive Director\, Scotland/Wales and Accredited/Compliance \nDale joined the BSA during Summer 2017 with responsibility for safeguarding and standards. In July 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\, the annual Safeguarding Conference\, the Safeguarding Forum. He has also developed a process of BSA Accreditation for our overseas members. \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 and has been closely involved in inspection in state and independent boarding since 2002. Dale had previously been a BSA course tutor since 1998 and developed the BSA Self-Assessment Toolkit. \n\nKevin Hartley\, Senior Consultant for the NSPCC \n \nKevin Hartley is a Senior Consultant for the NSPCC. Kevin has worked in secondary education for almost 30 years\, initially as an English teacher\, but later as a Pastoral Lead and then as a member of senior leadership. \nFor most of his career he has been involved in safeguarding and spent 12 years as a DSL in a busy\, diverse 11-18 Academy. He has contributed to the development of policies and procedures at both school and Trust level. \nKevin now works in the NSPCC consultancy service which supports schools and other organisations in developing their safeguarding practices. \n\nJemima Corcoran\, Student\, UCL \nJemima Corcoran is a final-year undergraduate at UCL\, studying English Literature and Language. She has spent the last year as Editor at EdFringe Review and has recently entered the role Editor-in-Chief at UCL’s media outlet\, Pi Online for 2026-7\, having previously worked as their Lifestyle & Culture section editor. Originally from Brighton\, she has a strong interest in animal welfare\, environmental issues\, and women’s rights. A regular contributor to Pi Online\, her work ranges from theatre reviews and investigative lifestyle features to political commentary\, earning her Top Ten shortlist recognition at the SPA National Awards for both Best Lifestyle Piece and Best Culture Writer. Jemima has also worked as an on-screen presenter for PiTV at UCL\, where she conducted interviews on student culture\, politics\, and current issues. She has had her articles shared by Zack Polanski\, Deborah Frances White\, and Tom Read Wilson. She aims to pursue a career in journalism and media after graduating. \n\nMaddi Brunker\, Head of Adult Services at Tender Education and Arts\, \nMaddi brings over 13 years of experience working within the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) sector. Her career spans frontline service delivery\, management of an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) service\, and leadership in preventative education and intervention programmes. Maddi has delivered specialist training on domestic abuse and sexual violence for adult safeguarding boards\, local authorities\, universities\, and educational settings. She has also contributed to research led by Durham University in partnership with Galop\, and to parliamentary reports produced by SafeLives\, helping to inform policy and practice across the sector. \n  \n\nLouis Donald FRSA\, Founder & Principal Safeguarding Partner of EduShield and a former Executive Education (Safeguarding) Director at a nationwide multi-academy trust. \nLouis is recognised nationally for expertise in safeguarding\, inspection readiness\, crisis management\, and school improvement across multi-academy trusts. Louis has advised the Department for Education on safeguarding policy\, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic\, and is the first education professional to qualify as a Gold Multi-Agency Strategic Commander. He chairs the Queen Street Group Safeguarding Directors Forum\, sits on the NASSA board\, and serves on the British Army’s Independent Advisory Group. Trusted for his calm\, strategic leadership\, Louis supports leaders navigating complex Safeguarding challenges. \n  \n\n 
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/annual-safeguarding-conference-2/
LOCATION:Broadway House\, Tothill St\, London SW1H 9NQ
CATEGORIES:Conference,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261109T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261109T120000
DTSTAMP:20260813T105200Z
CREATED:20260407T141123Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T105200Z
UID:72434-1794216600-1794225600@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Northern forum
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ Free of charge\n🎧 Heads\, deputy heads\, boarding staff\n📍Online \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 \nSpeakers: \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.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/northern-forum-3/
CATEGORIES:Forum,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261110T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261110T120000
DTSTAMP:20260807T084257Z
CREATED:20260407T141559Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260807T084257Z
UID:72442-1794308400-1794312000@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Wales forum
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ Free of charge\n🎧 Heads\, deputy heads\, boarding staff\n📍 Online \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: \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.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/wales-forum-2/
LOCATION:Online – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Forum,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261110T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261110T150000
DTSTAMP:20260807T084334Z
CREATED:20260407T141440Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260807T084334Z
UID:72439-1794319200-1794322800@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Prep forum
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ Free of charge\n🎧 Heads\, deputy heads\, heads of boarding\n📍 Online \n\nForum outline: \nBSA regional forums are held once per term and offer members a valuable opportunity to connect\, share best practice\, and explore key topics relevant to boarding. These informal sessions encourage open discussion\, idea sharing\, and peer support. \nAll forums are free to attend for BSA members. \nBOOK NOW \n\nSpeaker: \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.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/prep-forum-2/
CATEGORIES:Forum,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261111T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261111T103000
DTSTAMP:20260903T092936Z
CREATED:20260407T141307Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T092936Z
UID:72436-1794389400-1794393000@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:South East forum
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ Free of charge\n🎧 Heads\, deputy heads\, boarding staff\n📍 Online \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: \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.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/south-east-forum-2/
LOCATION:Online – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Forum,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261124T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261124T170000
DTSTAMP:20260908T122949Z
CREATED:20260630T084115Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260908T122949Z
UID:77078-1795510800-1795539600@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Agents Networking - South
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ Free for member schools\n🎧 Admissions\, marketing and international recruitment staff\, Heads\, Deputy Heads and senior leaders involved in international strategy. Schools seeking to develop or refine their agent networks\n📍 Headington School\, Oxford \n\nCourse outline: \nAgent Networking is a face-to-face event designed for schools seeking to build strong\, effective relationships with international education agents. Developed in response to feedback from recent forums and events\, this format moves beyond traditional recruitment fairs\, focusing instead on meaningful engagement\, professional networking and long-term partnership building. \nHosted at leading boarding schools across the UK\, each event combines sector insight\, school engagement and structured networking\, providing delegates with the opportunity to connect with trusted agents in a focused and productive environment. \nWhat to expect \n\nA welcome from the host school and\, where available\, an opportunity to tour the school and its facilities\nMorning conference sessions offering sector insights\, market updates and guidance on working effectively with education agents\nNetworking lunch with attending agents and fellow school representatives\nStructured afternoon networking\, with dedicated meeting times enabling schools and agents to hold meaningful one-to-one conversations\n\nKey benefits for schools \n\nMeet a broad range of trusted education agents in a professional setting\nBuild relationships that support international recruitment and long-term growth\nGain valuable insight into agent perspectives\, emerging markets and current trends\nLearn from sector experts and experienced practitioners\nExplore potential partnerships through dedicated networking opportunities\nExperience a host school and share best practice with colleagues from across the sector\n\nFree for BSA member schools \nAs part of our commitment to supporting schools with international recruitment and partnership development\, BSA member schools can attend Agent Networking events free of charge. \nNon-member schools are also welcome to attend. Please see the booking information for applicable rates. \nLimited free places for Certified Agents remain. Email bsa@boarding.org.uk to book. \nBOOK YOUR PLACE HERE
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/agents-networking-london/
LOCATION:Headington School\, Headington School\, Oxford\, OX3 7TD
CATEGORIES:Conference,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261202T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261202T110000
DTSTAMP:20260904T161043Z
CREATED:20260408T113120Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260904T161043Z
UID:72520-1796205600-1796209200@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:East England forum
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ Free of charge\n🎧 Heads\, deputy heads\, boarding staff\n📍 Online \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 \nSpeakers: \nDale Wilkins FTIOB\, 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 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  \nChair: \nEllen Hesse \nEllen Hesse has dedicated her entire professional career to working in boarding schools\, accumulating a wealth of experience in supporting boarders and ensuring their effective and enjoyable induction into school and boarding life. Currently\, she is serving as the Principal at Abbey College Cambridge\, an independent secondary school in Cambridge. She previously held the position of Vice Principal Pastoral and DSL at St Clare’s Oxford\, a sixth-form IB college. Prior to that\, from 2014 to 2018\, she served as the Head of Pastoral Care\, Director of Boarding\, and DSL at The Royal School in Haslemere\, an all-through school with an age range from 6 weeks old to 18. Her earlier experience includes a role as Head of Boarding at Cobham Hall in Kent from 2006 to 2014. Her teaching and boarding career started at King’s Ely. Ellen is a specialist in Science and History.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/east-england-forum-2/
CATEGORIES:Forum,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261204T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261204T150000
DTSTAMP:20260807T084453Z
CREATED:20260423T144735Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260807T084453Z
UID:74793-1796392800-1796396400@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Boarding Governors forum
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ Free of charge\n🎧 Boarding Governors\n📍 Online \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\nFelicity Kirk\, Ropes & Gray \nFelicity spent 10 years as a governor of the Wellington College with responsibility for pastoral and safeguarding. She was a director of Wellington’s international schools\, sat on the Finance Committee and was governor responsible for the arts. Felicity also spent 13 years as a governor of Eagle House School ( now Wellington College Prep ) when it was managed independently. \nA qualified solicitor and French barrister\, Felicity has almost 30 years’ experience in the pro bono space\, initially with Clifford Chance where she set up their global pro bono and community programme\, moving on to White & Case and then as London Director for Lawyers Without Borders – a global not-for-profit organization – before joining Ropes & Gray where she currently oversees the firm’s European and Asia pro bono practices. \n  \n 
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/boarding-governors-forum-3/
LOCATION:Online – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Forum,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20270202T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270203T170000
DTSTAMP:20260907T092852Z
CREATED:20260409T123713Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260907T092852Z
UID:74175-1801558800-1801674000@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Annual Boarding Conference
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £595\n🎧 Deputy Heads and Heads of Boarding\n📍 DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole\n🏠 Accommodation not included.\n \n\nThe 2027 Annual Boarding Conference awaits – join us! \nJoin boarding professionals from across the sector at the Hilton\, Brighton for two inspiring days of learning\, collaboration\, and networking. Discover emerging developments and opportunities in boarding\, engage with expert-led sessions\, and exchange ideas with colleagues through interactive round tables and breakout discussions. \n⭐ “A wonderful chance to speak to like-minded professionals and to hear from some outstanding guest speakers.” \n⭐ “Very invigorating atmosphere and very friendly\, inclusive attendees and speakers.” \nTake this opportunity to build valuable connections\, gain fresh perspectives\, and return to your school with new ideas and renewed enthusiasm. And\, of course\, don’t miss the highlight of the event: the Annual Conference Dinner on Tuesday February 2 2027\, following a sparkling drinks reception accompanied by live music. This year\, the dinner will also feature an awards ceremony celebrating excellence. \nReserve your place today and join the conversation\, strengthen your network\, and be inspired! \nBOOK NOW \n\n🚗 Getting here \nBrighton is easily accessible by rail from London. The fastest direct trains are: \n\nGatwick Airport – 30 minutes\nLondon Victoria – 52 minutes\nLondon Bridge – 58 minutes\nSt Pancras (Eurostar) – 1 hour 16 minutes\nLuton Airport – 2 hours\n\nThere are also indirect trains from Heathrow and Stansted\, as well as coaches and car hire from most major cities and airports. Trains can be booked in advance via thetrainline.com and coaches via nationalexpress.com. \n\nThis event will be held jointly with:
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/bsa-tiob-annual-boarding-conference-2/
LOCATION:DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole\, Kings Road\, Brighton\, BN1 2FU\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Conference,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20270204T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270204T210000
DTSTAMP:20260924T153520Z
CREATED:20260701T144836Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260924T153520Z
UID:77165-1801764000-1801774800@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Lessons in Leadership
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ £150\n🎧 Leaders\n📍 Canford School\n🥂 Refreshments served \n\nLessons in Leadership is a programme to support boarding school leaders as part of BSA’s new Centre for Boarding Leadership (CBL).  \nThe Lessons in Leadership programme comprises lectures from highly distinguished leaders in different fields\, including boarding alumni or people connected with boarding schools. These in-person Leadership events will be held at CBL partner BSA member schools in different parts of the UK. Typical Lessons in Leadership events will be for around a dozen delegates.  \nDate: Thursday February 4\, 2027 \nTimings: 18:00 – 21:00 \nVenue: Canford School\, Canford Magna\, Wimborne\, Dorset\, BH21 3AD \nA drinks reception will be hosted\, complemented by an assortment of Mediterranean sharing platters\n  \nSession Topic : Lessons in Leadership with Minette Batters \nSpeaker \n \nThe Baroness Batters DL \nThe Baroness Batters DL (Minette Batters) was the first woman to be elected President of the National Farmers’ Union in 113yrs. She’s represented the interests of over 46\,000 farming businesses across England and Wales through unprecedented times\, navigating the challenges of Brexit\, Covid 19 and the war in Ukraine. During this time\, she worked with four Prime Ministers – three of them in one year – and six Defra Secretaries of State. She stood down from the post in February 2024. \nCampaigning about the importance of British food and farming and its ability to achieve Net Zero has been a key driver for Minette. In 2020 she led the NFU on one of the most successful campaigns ever seen\, bringing together a coalition of chefs\, including Jamie Oliver\, farmers\, environmentalists\, consumer groups and animal welfare experts – resulting in over one million people signing the NFU food standards petition. Minette also co-founded ‘Ladies in Beef’ and the Great British Beef Week. She has regularly engaged with different media\, including frequent appearances on the ‘Today’ programme\, ‘Question Time’\, ‘Any Questions’\, ‘Desert Island Discs’\, Woman’s Hour and other national print and broadcast media. She is currently writing a monthly piece for Country Life magazine. \nMinette is mother to twins and is a tenant farmer\, on the Longford Estate near Salisbury\, Wiltshire. She began farming in 1998 having sold her house and negotiated the farm business tenancy\, starting with fifteen beef cows but fulfilling a lifetime ambition to farm. Today the farm has a Spring and Autumn calving Aberdeen Angus beef herd\, arable crops and a few sheep. The business is widely diversified\, with a wedding and events venue in a 17th century tithe barn\, holiday cottages\, and winter grazing for polo ponies\, alongside a recently restored walled garden growing native British flowers. Minette trained as a Cordon Bleu chef\, and was a former amateur jockey\, riding 30 point to point winners\, alongside working for champion National Hunt racehorse trainer David Elsworth. \nShe’s an ambassador for Farm Africa and a passionate advocate and fundraiser for the Junior Diabetic Research Foundation. She’s run in four marathons\, raising over £100\,000 for charity. In 2021 Minette was made a Deputy Lieutenant to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth\, and in July 2024 she was made a Crossbench Peer in the House of Lords. Minette was assigned\, by means of a Direct Ministerial Appointment by the Rt Hon Steve Reed MP\, to lead a review of farm profitability for Defra. This review ran from April 2025 until the end of October 2025\, and reported back to the Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP. \nHost \nRobin Fletcher\, Chief Executive \nRobin Fletcher is CEO of Abitas 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. \nThis Lessons in Leadership event will be for around a dozen delegates.  \nClick here to reserve your place
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/lessons-in-leadership/
CATEGORIES:Accredited Training,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20270310T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270310T160000
DTSTAMP:20260805T150644Z
CREATED:20260804T125641Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T150644Z
UID:78234-1804672800-1804694400@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Repositioning girls’ boarding in 2027
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £99\n📍 TBC \n\nConference outline: \nRepositioning Girls’ Boarding in 2026 brings together sector leaders and practitioners to explore how boarding environments can evolve to better meet the needs of girls in a rapidly changing world. Through a series of expert-led discussions and practical sessions\, the conference will examine current challenges and future opportunities across wellbeing\, safeguarding\, pastoral care\, and student experience. \nFrom rethinking boarding models and addressing emerging risks such as online harms and misogyny\, to supporting physical health\, nutrition\, and inclusive participation in sport\, the programme offers a holistic approach to girls’ development. Delegates will leave with fresh insights\, practical strategies\, and renewed confidence to create supportive\, inclusive\, and future-focused boarding environments. \nBOOK NOW \n\nPROGRAMME \nProgramme to be announced shortly. \n\nSpeakers: \nSpeakers will be confirmed shortly.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/repositioning-girls-boarding-in-2027/
CATEGORIES:Conference,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20270427T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270428T123000
DTSTAMP:20260928T131357Z
CREATED:20260420T161742Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260928T131357Z
UID:74585-1808816400-1808915400@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Human by design: the enduring value of boarding in a connected world
DESCRIPTION:🎧 Heads\n🏷️ Included in 2026/27 membership for UK full members; £750 for international full members; £1\,125 for affiliates and day schools; £1\,750 for non-members\n📍 DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole (Google Maps)\n🏠 Accommodation not included – please book separately\n✅ RSVP essential \n\nBOOK NOW \n\nWe are delighted to invite Heads to join us for the Annual Conference for Heads 2027. \nAs boarding continues to evolve\, this inspiring two-day conference will explore how we can reignite confidence\, strengthen school cultures\, and unlock new opportunities for growth. Together\, we will celebrate success\, tackle shared challenges\, and shape a thriving future for boarding. \nThe conference will be chaired by Chris Wheeler\, Chair\, BSA and Headmaster of Canford School\, who will welcome delegates and help lead discussions on the opportunities and challenges facing boarding schools today. \nBringing together Heads from across the sector\, the conference offers an opportunity to connect with peers\, exchange ideas\, and engage in thought-provoking discussions on the issues that matter most to boarding leadership today. Through expert insights\, practical strategies\, and collaborative debate\, delegates will leave equipped with fresh ideas\, renewed energy\, and valuable connections. \nDuring the conference dinner\, winners of the Stephen Winkley Award\, Emma Pattison Award for Compassionate Leadership and the International School of the Year will be announced. The evening provides an opportunity to celebrate excellence\, recognise achievement\, and enjoy an evening with colleagues from across the boarding community. Join us before dinner for a drinks reception accompanied by live music. \nJoin us for two days of insight\, inspiration and collaboration as we work together to bring the boarding bounce back. \nBOOK NOW \n\n📍 Travel information \nBrighton is easily accessible by rail from London. The fastest direct trains are: \n\nGatwick Airport – 30 minutes\nLondon Victoria – 52 minutes\nLondon Bridge – 58 minutes\nSt Pancras (Eurostar) – 1 hour 16 minutes\nLuton Airport – 2 hours\n\nThere are also indirect trains from Heathrow and Stansted\, as well as coaches and car hire from most major cities and airports. Trains can be booked in advance via thetrainline.com and coaches via nationalexpress.com. \n\n🎤 Programme \nDay 1: Monday 26 April 2027\n17.00 – 18.00             Meet the BSA team \nAn informal drop-in for heads to meet the BSA team\, seek advice or simply say ‘hello’. \n\n18.00 – 19.00             Twilight drinks: Heads in conversation \nAn informal evening of drinks\, shared ideas\, and conversation with friends old and new. \n\nDay 2: Tuesday 27 April 2027\n09.00 – 09.45             Registration\, refreshments and networking \n\n09.45 – 10.30             BSA Chair’s address \nChris Wheeler\, BSA Chair and Headmaster of Canford School \nAgainst a backdrop of change across the sector\, Chris will explore how schools can build confidence\, strengthen culture and work together to drive renewed growth\, setting the scene for a conference focused on momentum\, collaboration and the future of boarding. \n\n10.30 – 11.30             Leadership lessons from history \nTom Holland and James Holland\, Broadcasters and Historians \nWhat does history teach us about leading through pressure\, uncertainty and change? Tom Holland and James Holland bring the past vividly to life\, drawing out sharp\, relevant lessons on courage\, judgement and leadership for today’s boarding school heads. \n\n11.30 – 12.15             Growth: what works\, what fails\, what scales \nA candid\, conversation on building demand\, learning from failure and making bold strategic choices in a tougher market facilitated by Alastair Land\, Harrow School. \n\nEmma McKendrick\, Downe House\nShirley Mitchell\, John F. Kennedy International School\nMark Semmence\, Repton School\n\n\n12.15 – 13.00             Lunch and networking \n\n13.00 – 13.45             How to get things done: Influence beyond the boarding gates \nHear from leading figures from public life will share the practical lessons of influence: how to get heard\, build unlikely allies\, navigate difficult issues and turn relationships into action. Expect quick-fire provocations\, real scenarios and small-group conversations. \n\nLord (Guy) Black of Brentwood\, Honorary President of BSA\nProfessor Dame Anna Dominiczak\, Chief Scientist (Health) for the Scottish Government\, Regius Professor of Medicine at the University of Glasgow and HEIDA Honorary President\nGaon Hart\, Immigration Services Commissioner for the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) and Chair of BSA Group Legal Advisory Board\n\n\n13.45 – 14.45             Break out sessions \n\n14.45 – 15.15             Refreshments and networking \n\n15.30 – 16.30             Culture: driving demand to make boarding sustainable  \nThis practical session explores how members can build advocacy\, trust and demand through the networks around them: parents\, alumni\, prep schools\, agents\, governors\, local communities and sector partners\, facilitated by Chris Wheeler\, Canford School and BSA Chair. \n\nDominic Oliver\, Oundle School\nEmma Goldsmith\, Dragon School\nArun Kanwar\, Managing Partner\, Cairneagle\n\n\n16.30 – 17.00             Shaping the story of boarding \nHelp shape the next chapter of boarding. This interactive session gives Heads the opportunity to influence BSA’s forthcoming sector-wide PR campaign\, sharing the stories\, messages and proof points that can strengthen the case for boarding. Together\, we’ll explore how we build a more compelling\, contemporary narrative that challenges outdated perceptions\, reflects today’s boarding experience and helps more families reconsider what boarding has to offer. \n\n19.00 – 19.30             Boarding together: Drinks reception \nMusic kindly provided by Brighton College students \n\n19.30                           Stories worth sharing: The BSA Celebration Dinner and Awards \n\nDay 3: Wednesday 28th April 2027\n07.00                           Sunrise reset \nStart the final day with an informal reflection session on the seafront led by Reverend Anthony Bewes\, followed by an optional swim in the channel led by Chris Wheeler\, Canford School and BSA Chair\, or 5k run led by Dr Chris Pyle\, Lancaster Royal Grammar School.  An energising opportunity to reset\, reconnect and enjoy Brighton before the conference resumes. \n\n09.30 – 10.30           The power of culture \nJohann Van Graan\, Head of Bath Rugby \nEvery Head knows that culture can make or break an organisation. Johann offers a fascinating perspective from elite sport on how to create clarity\, build trust\, unite people behind a common purpose and establish the conditions in which individuals and teams can thrive. \n\n10.30 – 11.00            Refreshments and networking \n\n11.00 – 12.00             Boarding at the heart of education \nWe know boarding has the potential to add a powerful extra dimension to a young person’s education. In this session led by Chris Wheeler\, Canford School and BSA Chair\, our panel will explore how a thriving boarding model can enhance the pupil experience\, creating greater opportunities for personal development\, independence\, belonging\, enrichment and learning beyond the classroom. How can Heads ensure boarding is fully connected to their educational vision\, and demonstrate the distinctive value it brings to pupils and families? \n\nAlastair Chirnside\, St Edward’s School\nSuzannah Cryer\, Highfield School\nJames Dahl\, Wellington College\nSally-Anne Huang\, St Paul’s School\nDr Chris Pyle\, Lancaster Royal Grammar School\n\n\n12.30                            Conference ends  \nOptional lunch in restaurant \n\nChair: \nChris Wheeler\, Headmaster\, Canford School \nChris Wheeler joined Canford as Headmaster in 2025 and is Chair of the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA).A boarder himself from the age of eight\, first at Windlesham House and later at Winchester College\, Chris has a lifelong connection with boarding education and is deeply committed to promoting its uniquely transformative power in young people’s lives.Educated at Winchester College\, Durham and Bristol universities\, he also holds an MBA in Educational Leadership and Administration from UCL. Alongside his role at Canford\, Chris is a governor of Stowe\, where he chairs the Education Committee\, and a governor of Westbourne House.Chris has held a number of senior leadership roles across the independent schools sector\, including Vice Chair of HMC\, Chair of the HMC South West Division and membership of the HMC Inspection Sub Committee. Through his work at Canford and as Chair of the BSA\, he is a strong advocate for the distinctive contribution that high-quality boarding makes to education\, personal development and school communities. \n\nSpeakers: \nAlastair Land\, Head Master\, Harrow School \nAlastair Land\, Head Master\, Harrow School\, attended Manchester Grammar School where he was School Vice-Captain. He first came to understand the positive power of boarding in his gap year teaching at Budhanilkantha School north of Kathmandu. Alastair took a First in Natural Sciences at Trinity College\, Cambridge\, where he was President of the College’s Student Union. After completing his PGCE at Cambridge\, he began his career at Eton as a teacher of Biology. There\, he became a Deputy House Master and held several extra-curricular responsibilities\, including command of the CCF. Alastair then spent nine years at Winchester College\, where he was Master in College and a member of the Senior Management Team. In 2012\, Alastair was appointed Deputy Head Master of Harrow\, moving almost four years later to Repton as Headmaster. He returned to Harrow as Head Master in April 2019. He has retained his interests in outdoor activity and is Contingent Commander of the Harrow Rifle Corps. He remains committed to scholarship\, teaching Electives (Human Evolution and Consciousness) and giving super-curricular talks. Alastair is focused on strategic development of boys’ boarding in the 21st century and in developing access for boys of all backgrounds from across the UK. He is a governor at Caldicott School\, Orley Farm School\, (and a regular prep school visitor)\, a member of Park High School\, and has acted as an independent reviewer in the appraisal process of senior-school headteachers. He served twice as Chair for HMC London Division and has been a Trustee of both the Zoological Society and the Linnean Society. He is currently on the Council of the Royal Society of Biology and The Heads and Principals Advisory Board of IE University\, and is also a Trustee of the Harrow Mission. \n\nMrs Emma McKendrick\, Headmistress\, Downe House \nEmma is a linguist who was educated at the Universities of Liverpool and Birmingham. She was Headmistress of the Royal School Bath from 1994-97 and took up her appointment as Headmistress of Downe House in 1997. She has a great deal of experience as a Governor of a variety of independent Senior and Prep Schools and was a member of the Independent Schools’ Examination Board and was a Trustee of the Prep School Baccalaureate. She was Chair of the Prep Schools Trust\, is a Member of GSA\, HMC and BSA and a Fellow of the RSA. She is married and has two sons. When time allows\, she enjoys travel\, the theatre and cinema\, and spending time with her family. \n\nMark Semmence\, Headmaster\, Repton School \nMark Semmence is the CEO of the Repton Group. Prior to joining Repton in 2019 as Headmaster\, Mark was Headmaster of Mount Kelly School and prior to that\, Assistant Headmaster for 7 years at Rugby School where he taught Economics. Mark was educated at Hurstpierpoint College and then at Durham University (BA and MBA). He completed his MA at Warwick. Before embarking on his teaching career\, Mark enjoyed a successful business career in the sports marketing sector working for the Quintus Group (now IMG) in London\, Dubai and New York. \n  \n\nShirley Mitchell\, Director\, John F Kennedy International School \nDr Shirley Mitchell is Director of John F. Kennedy International School in Switzerland\, where she leads a diverse\, internationally minded learning community. Previously Vice Principal at Surval Montreux and Assistant Principal at DLD College London\, Shirley brings extensive experience in school leadership\, boarding\, wellbeing and organisational development. She holds qualifications spanning English Literature and Language\, Childhood and Youth Studies\, Educational Psychology and Executive Education\, and recently completed a doctorate in International Educational Leadership and Student Wellbeing. Shirley is passionate about creating inclusive\, future-focused schools where academic excellence\, wellbeing\, sustainability and strong relationships work together to help every student thrive fully. \n\nGaon Hart\, Immigration Services Commissioner \nGaon is currently Immigration Services Commissioner\, the regulator for immigration advisers\, Chair of the Police Advisory Board for England & Wales\, and NED for the NHS Counter Fraud Authority\, protecting the NHS from £1.3 Billion fraud risk. He is a Board member for the Cambridge Centre for Applied Research into Human Trafficking and Chair of the Legal Advisory Board for Abitas Group’s Legal firm. He is also Managing Director of Legal Advisory Worldwide\, a boutique consultancy specialising in global corporate economic crime risk prevention. He also Chairs and legally advises multiple regulatory bodies on fitness to practice hearings\, as a former Senior Crown Advocate. \n\nDanuta Staunton\, Headmistress\, St Mary’s School Ascot \nDanuta Staunton is Headmistress of St Mary’s School Ascot\, a full boarding\, Catholic girls’ school of 400 pupils. She took on the Headship in 2019 but joined the school in 2010\, having taken on a range of different roles\, including Senior Leadership responsibility for communications. Her subject is English Literature\, and she has a Masters’ degree from the University of York. Prior to her teaching career\, she worked in Publishing in London. \n  \n  \n\nDominic Oliver\, Head\, Oundle School \nDominic Oliver became Head of Oundle School in August 2025\, bringing with him over twenty years of teaching and leadership experience in leading independent boarding schools. \nHe read English at the University of Sheffield\, graduating with First Class Honours\, and went on to gain an MPhil in English from St Peter’s College\, Oxford. He remained at Oxford as a Lecturer at St Peter’s and a member of the University’s English Faculty\, specialising in Shakespeare.\nHis school career began at the Royal Grammar School\, Worcester before he moved to Malvern College as Head of English and later Head of Academic Development. He went on to serve as Managing Head at Bedales School for four years and\, in 2014\, was appointed Head Master of Lancing College\, West Sussex\, a position he held for over a decade. \n\nEmma Goldsmith\, Head\, Dragon School \nEmma Goldsmith began her career teaching English and coaching sport at Oakham School\, after which she moved to Rugby School and then Bloxham School where she oversaw the introduction of co-education and opened the first 13-18 boarding house.\nShe left Bloxham as deputy head to take on her first headship of Winchester House Prep School and then became Head of the Dragon School Oxford in 2021. She is an experienced governor having been on the board of Cheltenham College and is currently a governor of Gordonstoun and Wellington College. She also sits on the board of IAPS. She loves the community life of schools and seeking new opportunities for young people to thrive. An early adopter of the power of Instagram in marketing schools she launched her @head_in_heels account. \n\nArun Kanwar\, Managing Partner\, Cairneagle \nArun Kanwar is a Partner at Cairneagle\, a strategy consulting firm specialising in the education sector. Cairneagle supports institutions and investors with their critical commercial decisions – bringing structure\, insight and judgement to situations of uncertainty and material consequence. The firm has deep roots in the independent schools sector\, operating across both the charitable and for-profit space\, and has built a reputation based on a research and data-driven approach\, analytical audacity and a determination to add value for its clients. It has won the EducationInvestor award for consultants eight times\, most recently in June 2026.\nArun joined Cairneagle in 2015 and brings twenty-five years of experience spanning both advisory and industry roles. He has worked across multiple education sub-verticals – including early years\, UK schools\, SEND\, skills and education services – drawing on both UK and international experience. Beyond his consulting work\, Arun serves as a Director of HMC (the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference). In December 2025\, he was won in the Consultant category at the inaugural EducatioInvestor Power List\, and in April 2026 he won in the Consultant category at the inaugural NMT (Nursery Management Today) Power List. He holds an MChem in Chemistry from the University of Oxford. \n\nDr Chris Pyle\, Head\, Lancaster Royal Grammar School \nDr Chris Pyle has been Head of Lancaster Royal Grammar School since 2012 and was Chair of the Boarding Schools Association in 2025.  He was state-educated in Oxfordshire and went on to complete a degree and PhD in Geography at Cambridge University.  His previous roles include Head of Geography and Deputy Head at the Perse School\, Cambridge.  A physical geographer by background\, he publishes regular resources on landscapes and natural hazards.  He holds the National Professional Qualification in Executive Leadership.  He is Senior Lead of the North North West Maths Hub and governor of Queen Elizabeth’s School Penrith.  \n  \n\n \nJohann Van Graan\, Head of Rugby\, Bath \nJohann van Graan is Head of Rugby at Bath Rugby and a leader renowned for building high-performance cultures through trust\, clarity and care. Often described as a real-life Ted Lasso\, Johann has transformed Bath’s fortunes since arriving in 2022\, taking a club that had finished bottom of the Premiership to the final within two seasons\, before leading them to a historic treble in 2024/25. Previously\, he coached with the Springboks and led Munster for five years. Johann’s people-first approach has developed international players and united teams around a shared purpose\, offering powerful lessons in culture\, leadership and helping people thrive. \n  \n\nSuzannah Cryer\, Head\, Highfield School \nSuzannah Cryer has spent her entire career in independent preparatory education. Since September 2022 she has been Head of Highfield School\, leading academic\, pastoral and strategic direction across the whole school. She previously served as Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Designated Safeguarding Lead at Thomas’s Preparatory School\, Battersea\, and crucially for today’s discussion as Head of Boarding and Head of Drama at Highfield School\, where she held full responsibility for 135 boarders. Suzannah authored the “Raising the Future” white paper for the DfE and speaks widely on pastoral leadership\, safeguarding and the enduring value of boarding education.  \n\nJames Dahl\, Master\, Wellington College \nJames Dahl has been Master of Wellington College since 2019\, having been Second Master Elect\, Deputy Head Pastoral and\, before that\, Director of Admissions and Marketing.  Educated at RGS Newcastle and Haileybury\, where he boarded for Sixth Form\, James then read Classics at Jesus College\, Cambridge before starting his career at Brighton College (Head of Classics and Head of Sixth Form) and then Repton (Boarding Housemaster). James is a keen musician and sportsman\, serves as a Governor at Cheam prep school\, and is a Trustee for the Old Wellingtonian Charitable Trust and the Haileybury Society. \n  \n\nAlastair Chirnside\, Warden\, St Edwards School \nAlastair was at Merton College\, Oxford\, where he took a Congratulatory First in Classics and French and won a half-blue for lightweight rowing. Alastair was brought up near Oxford and attended the Dragon\, winning a King’s Scholarship to Eton. He started his career as a fund manager with Schroders in London before going into teaching in 2004. His first teaching job was at Eton\, where he also coached J16 rowing before going on to be Head of Year 11\, Head of Classics and House Master of Walpole House. He left Eton in 2016 to become Director of Studies at Harrow\, where he was then appointed Deputy Head Master in April 2019. He became Warden of St Edward’s in September 2021. Alastair is married to Zannah\, and they have two children\, Mary and Lizzie. Beyond Teddies\, he is a governor at Summer Fields. During the holidays\, Alastair and his family enjoy travel in their VW camper\, spending time at their home in Normandy\, walking with their Labrador\, and camping on the Thames in their double-sculling skiff. Alastair will take office as 72nd Head Master of Eton in September 2027. \n\nSally-Anne Huang\, High Master\, St Paul’s School \nSally-Anne Huang was educated at Bolton School prior to reading Classics and English at Lady Margaret Hall\, Oxford. She also has an MSc in Educational Leadership and Management and a Masters degree in Children’s Literature\, which is a personal passion of hers. \nSally-Anne is High Master of St Paul’s School and experienced in governance of both boarding and prep schools. Previously she was Headmistress of James Allen’s Girls School\, and Kent College\, Pembury. \n  \n\n \nProfessor Dame Anna Dominiczak DBE MD FRCP FAHA FRSE FMedSci is the Regius \nProfessor Dominiczak is Regius Chair of Medicine at the University of Glasgow\, Honorary Consultant Physician and Endocrinologist at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\, and Chief Scientist (Health) for the Scottish Government. Appointed in 2022\, she leads Scotland’s health research and innovation agenda\, working across the NHS\, academia and industry to accelerate research into patient benefit. An internationally recognised leader in cardiovascular science\, clinical academia and precision medicine\, her research focuses on hypertension\, cardiovascular genomics and precision medicine. She has published over 550 peer-reviewed papers\, secured more than £100 million in research funding\, and delivered over 100 international plenary lectures. She was appointed DBE in 2016. \n  \n\nLord Guy Black\, Deputy Chairman of Telegraph Media Group  \nLord Black of Brentwood (Guy Black) is Honorary President of the BSA. He is Deputy Chairman of Telegraph Media Group – publisher of the Telegraph newspaper – where he has worked since 2005. Before that he was Director of Communications for the Conservative Party under Michael Howard and Director of the Press Complaints Commission. He is Chairman of Governors at Brentwood School – where he has been on the Board since 2013 – and is Chairman of the Royal College of Music. He speaks widely in the Lords on issues including education\, media freedom\, osteoporosis and music and the arts. 
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/annual-conference-for-heads-4/
LOCATION:DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole\, Kings Road\, Brighton\, BN1 2FU\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Conference,In-person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20270520T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270520T163000
DTSTAMP:20260806T100746Z
CREATED:20260423T150301Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260806T100746Z
UID:74805-1810803600-1810830600@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:AgentsConnect on tour - London
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £250\n🎧 Admissions\, marketing and international recruitment staff\, Heads\, Deputy Heads and senior leaders involved in international strategy. Schools seeking to develop or refine their agent networks\n📍 Dulwich College \n\nCourse outline: \nAgentsConnect on Tour is a new pilot event designed exclusively for BSA member schools seeking to build strong\, effective relationships with international education agents. Developed in response to feedback from recent forums and events\, this face-to-face format moves away from traditional recruitment fairs and instead prioritises meaningful engagement\, discussion\, and collaboration. \nThe day combines practical insight sessions with high-quality networking\, enabling schools to meet agents in a structured\, focused environment and explore opportunities for long-term partnership. \nWhat to expect \n\nMorning sessions offering sector insights and guidance on working effectively with agents\nNetworking lunch with attending agents and school colleagues\nStructured afternoon networking\, giving schools dedicated time to meet agents at tables and hold in-depth conversations\n\nKey benefits for schools \n\nMeet a broad range of education agents in a focused\, professional setting\nBuild trusted relationships that support international recruitment strategies\nGain insight into agent perspectives\, markets and best practice\nTake part in a pilot format designed to encourage meaningful\, productive conversations\n\nThis event is currently fully booked. If you would like to be added to our waiting list\, please email bsa@boarding.org.uk  \nJoint with: \n \n\nProgramme: \n09:30 \nRegistration and Refreshments \n10:00 – 10:15 \nBSA – State of the Boarding Nation \nSpeaker: David Walker\, FTIOB\, Executive Director\, Boarding & Education and Director\, BSA/TIOB \n10:15 – 10:45 \nSponsor expert speaker \n10:45 – 11:15 \nBranding for the Global Stage: Attracting International Families with Confidence \nSpeaker: Phil Dean\, Studio Certain \n11:15 – 12:00 \nCreating a strategy for growth: new emerging boarding markets \nSpeaker: Guy Schady-Beckett\, ISS. Joined by a panel of agents \n12:00 – 13:00 \nLUNCH \n13:00 – 16:30 \nNetworking every 20 minutes \n\nSpeakers: \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\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\nGuy Schady-Beckett\, ISS. Joined by a panel of agents \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOver the past 12 years\, he has analysed demand for UK private education\, drawing on insights from 60\,000+ Independent Schools Show visitors and over 2\,500 high- and ultra-high-net-worth clients of Bonas MacFarlane. He also uses public demographic and wealth data to map broader trends. \nWith over 30 years’ experience\, Guy advises schools\, universities and education groups on research\, marketing and communications\, and regularly speaks across the sector. \nHis doctorate explored how statistical evidence shapes political debate and policymaking—a theme he believes remains just as relevant in today’s senior leadership decision-making.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/agentsconnect-on-tour-london-2/
LOCATION:Online – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Forum,In-person
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20270625T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270625T100000
DTSTAMP:20260807T084600Z
CREATED:20260407T141917Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260807T084600Z
UID:72446-1813914000-1813917600@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:South Central forum
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ Free of charge\n🎧 Heads\, deputy heads\, boarding staff\n📍 Online \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/south-central-forum-2/
LOCATION:Online – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Forum,In-person
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END:VCALENDAR