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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20270204T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270204T210000
DTSTAMP:20260924T153520Z
CREATED:20260701T144836Z
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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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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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