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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261102T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261102T140000
DTSTAMP:20260811T143526Z
CREATED:20260407T105711Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T143526Z
UID:72417-1793624400-1793628000@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Boarding Box Set - sector overview and market analysis
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £90\n🎧 Pastoral staff\, boarding staff\n📍 Online\n🎥 Watch live or on catch up\n✅ Included in BSA CPD Pass \n\nCourse outline: \nBSA’s Boarding Box Set series is designed for boarding staff and school leaders giving them a broad overview series of a range of key topics relating to boarding. This series would be ideal for staff moving into senior positions in boarding\, preparing for Deputy Headship and consolidating their understanding on the wider sector ‘headlines’. \nThis set will be £650 for a member series place. Webinars can also be booked individually. \nThis webinar will address the sector and current state of the boarding market. A global perspective of boarding\, including the popularity of the UK market and its competitors\, customer interest\, different types of boarding and how these intersect\, will be shared alongside statistics showing current market analysis against historic data. \nTraining topics will include: \n\nBoarding in 2026 and beyond\nThe global boarding market\nDifferent types of boarding and current customer interest\n\nLearning outcomes: \n\nA greater understanding of the context for boarding\nDetail around the UK boarding market and the global market\, and how your school sits within this picture.\n\nBOOK NOW \nOther titles in this series: \n\n\n\n1. Boarding box set – sector overview and market analysis\nNovember 02\, 2026\n\n\n2. Boarding box set – Safeguarding\nNovember 30\, 2026\n\n\n3. Boarding box set – Inclusion and belonging\nMarch 01\, 2027\n\n\n4. Boarding box set – understanding UKVI compliance\nMarch 05\, 2027\n\n\n5. Boarding Box Set: Building a Positive Staff Culture\nMarch 09\, 2027\n\n\n6. Boarding box set – Marketing considerations for boarding schools\nApril 21\, 2027\n\n\n7. Boarding box set – Preparing for a boarding inspection\nMay 24\, 2026\n\n\n8. Boarding box set – boarding house management\nJune 10\, 2027\n\n\n\n\nSpeaker: \n\nRobin Fletcher\, CEO\, BSA \nRobin was a journalist\, editor and communications director before joining BSA in 2014. Robin is a member of the Department for Education’s Systems Partnership Oversight Board. Outside BSA\, he is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts\, an Honorary Fellow of Cardiff Metropolitan University\, a Governor of Rugby School\, President of the Rugbeian Society and a non-executive director of the national trade body Make UK.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/boarding-box-set-sector-overview-and-market-analysis/
LOCATION:Online – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Online,Webinar
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:20261109T150000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261109T160000
DTSTAMP:20261001T161646Z
CREATED:20260407T141559Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261001T161646Z
UID:72442-1794236400-1794240000@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:20261109T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261109T180000
DTSTAMP:20261008T103438Z
CREATED:20260922T124010Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261008T103438Z
UID:79848-1794243600-1794247200@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Boarding Governors Box Set - The latest patterns on mental health and pastoral care
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £90\n🎧 Governors\n📍 Online\n🎥 Watch live or on catch up\n✅ Included in BSA CPD Pass \n\nCourse outline: \nThis seminar will explore how governors can provide effective oversight of pastoral care within schools. It will address the key areas of responsibility including boarding and day houses\, health centres\, and counselling provision. The session will offer a clear overview of common pastoral systems and guide governors on how to engage meaningfully with school leaders to gain effective oversight and support pupil wellbeing. \nLearning outcomes: \n\nDevelop a clear understanding of the key pastoral challenges in schools\nGain insight into how pastoral systems typically operate\nLearn how to ask informed questions and request relevant reports from school leadership\nStrengthen your ability to monitor and support the quality of health and wellbeing provision.\n\nBOOK NOW \nSpeaker: \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/boarding-governors-box-set-the-latest-patterns-on-mental-health-and-pastoral-care/
LOCATION:Virtual – Zoom\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Online,Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261110T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261110T170000
DTSTAMP:20261021T070210Z
CREATED:20260407T103336Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261021T070210Z
UID:72396-1794301200-1794330000@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Prep Boarding Conference 2026
DESCRIPTION:🎧 Prep boarding staff\, senior leaders\, marketing and admissions\n📍 Dragon School\, Oxford \n\nBSA Prep Boarding Conference 2026 is a one-day professional development event for educators and leaders in prep school boarding. The conference covers best practices in providing outstanding academic and pastoral care\, managing pupil transitions\, and key operational areas such as admissions\, compliance\, and staff retention. Expert-led sessions and a collaborative round table discussion will provide practical strategies and insights\, with a special focus on the crucial topic of pupil wellbeing and sleep optimisation. \nTraining topics will include: \n\nDeveloping outstanding academic and pastoral provision\, with a focus on supporting a smooth transition to senior boarding.\nCreating a strategic roadmap for marketing\, admissions\, compliance\, and staff retention in prep boarding schools.\nApplying strategies to improve pupil wellbeing through optimised sleep environments and routines.\n\nLearning Outcomes \nParticipants will be able to: \n\nIdentify and apply best practices for delivering outstanding academic\, pastoral\, and boarding provision in a prep school setting.\nImplement strategies that effectively support pupils in their transition from prep to senior boarding.\nDevelop a strategic roadmap for marketing\, admissions\, and compliance that drives enrolment growth and meets inspection standards.\nRecruit and retain high-quality staff and pupils by addressing key challenges in the boarding sector.\nApply practical techniques to promote healthier sleep and improve the overall wellbeing of boarding pupils.\n\nPlaces are limited. Early booking is recommended. \nBOOK NOW \n\nConference Programme\n09:30 – 10:00            Registration & refreshments \nNetworking and arrival. \n\n10:00 – 11.00             Why Prep Boarding Matters\n \nSetting out the opportunity for prep and junior boarding and asking: what do we want children to say about having boarded with us? \nWhat makes a truly exceptional boarding experience for younger pupils\, and how can schools create an environment where every child feels valued\, supported and connected? \nThis session explores the unique opportunities and responsibilities of prep and junior boarding\, focusing on the importance of belonging\, positive relationships\, independence and personal development. Delegates will consider how everyday interactions\, meaningful experiences and a strong boarding community can shape children’s confidence\, happiness and lasting memories. \nThrough reflection on what we want children to say about their boarding experience\, the session will encourage participants to identify practical ways to create a nurturing\, engaging and enriching environment in which young boarders can thrive. \nSpeaker: Emma Goldsmith\, Head\, The Dragon School\, Oxford \n\n11:00 – 12:00             UKVI compliance: inspection ready in Prep Boarding \n\nStaying informed about UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements is essential for prep schools sponsoring international boarding pupils. With regulatory expectations and compliance responsibilities continuing to evolve\, prep schools must ensure their procedures\, records and safeguarding arrangements remain robust and up to date. \nThis session will provide an overview of the latest UKVI rules\, regulatory developments and inspection expectations relevant to prep boarding schools. Delegates will explore key compliance responsibilities\, common areas of concern and practical approaches to maintaining effective systems and demonstrating compliance. \nThe session will also offer an opportunity to raise questions and discuss specific challenges with BSA Legal Partner and Immigration Solicitor\, Kate Hollyer\, helping schools strengthen their understanding and approach inspections with greater confidence. \n\nSpeaker: Kate Hollyer\, Director\, BSA Legal \n\n12:00 – 13:00            Lunch\, networking and boarding tour   \n\nAn opportunity to connect with fellow prep boarding professionals\, exchange experiences and discuss the opportunities and challenges facing prep boarding schools. \nDelegates will have time to build professional relationships\, share ideas and reflect on the morning’s discussions in an informal setting. An optional tour of the host school’s boarding facilities will provide an opportunity to explore the boarding environment and gain insights into approaches to creating welcoming\, supportive spaces for younger pupils. \n\n\n13:00 – 13:45           People make the place: Building Prep Boarding teams with energy and staying power \n\nThe success of any prep boarding community depends on the people who support\, guide and care for its pupils. Recruiting\, developing and retaining committed prep boarding staff is therefore essential to delivering a consistent\, positive experience for young boarders. \nThis session will explore practical approaches to building resilient\, motivated and effective prep boarding teams. Topics will include recruitment and induction\, managing workloads and rotas\, providing effective supervision\, supporting professional development and recognising staff contributions. \nDelegates will consider how strong leadership\, supportive working practices and a positive team culture can improve staff wellbeing\, strengthen retention and enable prep boarding professionals to find fulfilment and enjoyment in their roles. \n\n Speakers: \n\nLiz Hutchings\, Registrar\, Head of Boarding\, Junior King’s School\, Canterbury\nMarcus Faulkner\, Joint Head of Boarding\, The Dragon School\, Oxford\nAugusta Faulkner\, Joint Head of Boarding\, The Dragon School\, Oxford\n\n\n13:45 – 14:30           BSA Prep Boarding Forum meeting and round-table discussion \n\nThis interactive forum provides a valuable opportunity for prep boarding professionals to come together\, share experiences and explore the key issues shaping the sector. \nThrough open discussion and collaborative exchange\, delegates will be encouraged to reflect on emerging challenges\, celebrate successful approaches and consider opportunities for improvement within their own prep boarding communities. \nThe session offers a supportive environment for professional networking\, peer learning and practical problem-solving\, enabling participants to gain fresh perspectives and take away ideas that can inform their work. \n\n\n14:30 – 15:00             Refreshments and networking \n\nA chance to continue conversations\, exchange ideas and connect with colleagues from across the prep boarding sector before the final session of the day. \n\n\n15:00 – 16:00           Safe\, seen and heard: Safeguarding in the reality of Prep Boarding  \n\nEffective safeguarding goes beyond policies\, procedures and inspection readiness. In a prep boarding environment\, where staff play a central role in children’s daily lives\, safeguarding must be embedded in everyday interactions\, decision-making and the wider culture of care. \nThis session will explore what safeguarding looks like in practice within a busy prep boarding house\, highlighting the importance of creating an environment where every pupil feels safe\, listened to and supported. \nDelegates will consider how staff awareness\, professional boundaries\, effective communication and a proactive safeguarding culture contribute to pupil wellbeing and protection. The session will encourage boarding professionals to reflect on their existing practices and identify ways to strengthen safeguarding as an integral part of daily boarding life. \n\nSpeaker: Dale Wilkins\, Executive Director\, Scotland/Wales and Accredited/Compliance\, BSA \n\n16:00                           Conference ends \n\nSpeakers\n\n \nEmma Goldsmith\, Head\, The Dragon School\, Oxford \nEmma Goldsmith has been Head of Dragon School\, Oxford\, since September 2021\, becoming the first female Head in the school’s history. Previously Head of Winchester House School\, where she won Tatler’s Best Head of a Prep School award in 2019\, Emma brings extensive experience in teaching\, boarding and educational leadership. Her career includes teaching at Oakham and Rugby Schools and serving as Deputy Head and Housemistress at Bloxham School\, where she established its first girls’ boarding house. Emma is actively involved in the wider independent education sector\, including work with IAPS and school governance\, and is a passionate advocate for exceptional prep education and boarding. \n\n \nKate Hollyer\, Director\, BSA Legal \nKate Hollyer is Legal Director of Abitas Group and Director of BSA Legal Services Ltd. A qualified solicitor with over ten years’ experience advising on UK immigration law\, Kate provides specialist legal guidance to BSA members on immigration\, safeguarding and regulatory compliance matters. Before joining BSA in 2022\, she was a Partner and Head of Department at a leading full-service UK law firm. Kate also brings valuable first-hand knowledge of boarding life\, having lived in state\, preparatory and senior school boarding houses with her Housemaster husband since 2014. Her combination of legal expertise and practical boarding experience provides a valuable perspective on the challenges facing schools. \n\n \nLiz Hutchings\, Registrar\, Head of Boarding\, Junior King’s School\, Canterbury \nLiz Hutchings is Registrar and Head of Boarding at Junior King’s School\, Canterbury\, bringing extensive experience in boarding education and pastoral leadership. A graduate of the University of Reading\, where she specialised in English\, Liz has worked in boarding throughout her teaching career. Her previous roles include Assistant Houseparent at Port Regis\, Head of Year 4 and Housemistress at Junior King’s. She was appointed Head of Boarding in 2018 and has also served in senior pastoral and safeguarding roles. Liz is a passionate advocate for the opportunities provided by boarding and believes that strong pastoral care and a nurturing environment are central to children’s development and success. \n\n \nMarcus Faulkner\, Joint Head of Boarding\, The Dragon School\, Oxford \nMarcus Faulkner is Assistant Head Boarding and Joint Head of Boarding at Dragon School\, Oxford\, where he works alongside Augusta Faulkner to support the school’s vibrant boarding community. His role focuses on providing a nurturing\, welcoming and engaging environment in which young boarders can develop confidence\, independence and lasting friendships. Marcus works closely with boarding houseparents and colleagues to promote a family-style approach to boarding\, ensuring children feel supported and valued throughout their time at school. He is particularly committed to the positive experiences and relationships that help children flourish\, and to creating a boarding culture that combines exceptional pastoral care with opportunities for adventure\, personal growth and enjoyment. \n\n \nAugusta Faulkner\, Joint Head of Boarding\, The Dragon School\, Oxford \nAugusta Faulkner is Joint Head of Boarding at Dragon School\, Oxford\, working alongside her husband\, Marcus\, to create a supportive and enriching boarding experience. A Durham University graduate\, Augusta began her teaching career at the Dragon before spending six years teaching English and Maths and coaching rugby at Caldicott School. She subsequently returned to the Dragon\, managing Charlbury House and later School House\, before taking on her current boarding leadership responsibilities. Augusta has also led the school’s PSHEE department and has a particular interest in mental health and wellbeing. She is passionate about creating a positive boarding environment where children feel happy\, supported and confident. \n\n \nDale Wilkins\, Executive Director\, Scotland/Wales and Accredited/Compliance\, BSA \nDale Wilkins is Executive Director\, Scotland/Wales and Accredited/Compliance at the Boarding Schools’ Association\, where he leads on safeguarding\, inspection and boarding standards. Joining BSA in 2017\, Dale brought 31 years of experience as a boarding practitioner\, including senior positions at Norwich School\, Tettenhall College and Old Swinford Hospital\, where he served as Housemaster\, Deputy Head and Designated Safeguarding Lead. He has extensive experience in safeguarding training\, regulatory compliance and inspection frameworks\, working closely with ISI\, Ofsted and the Department for Education. Dale also developed the BSA Self-Assessment Toolkit and plays a leading role in supporting boarding schools to maintain high standards of safeguarding and care.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/prep-boarding-conference-2/
CATEGORIES:Conference
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;VALUE=DATE:20261113
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261114
DTSTAMP:20260804T092908Z
CREATED:20260421T093912Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T092908Z
UID:74615-1794528000-1794614399@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:BSA Advanced Certificate ASIA - Boarding Management
DESCRIPTION:  \nThe BSA Advanced Certificate Course is organised around a combination of intensive study days which contain a variety of teaching methods and opportunities to learn in different ways short lectures\, presentations and discussions led by students\, together with group problem solving exercises and case studies. Group discussion is a particularly important aspect of this module\, enabling you to look at the theory in the light of your own practical experience. You will be encouraged to contribute ideas\, opinions and questions\, take responsibility for your own learning and\, by sharing\, to contribute to the learning of the group as a whole. \nThe dates for this module are: \n\nStudy Day 1: November 13\, 2026\nStudy Day 2: December 4\, 2026\nStudy Day 3: March 15\, 2027\nStudy Day 4: May 25\, 2027\n\n.All study days will take place via Zoom. \nRegional timings: \n\n\n\n\nThailand\nChina\nMalaysia\nJapan\nKorea\nGMT\n\n\nWelcome\n1500\n1600\n1600\n1700\n1700\n0800\n\n\nClose\n2015\n2115\n2115\n2215\n2215\n1315\n\n\n\nClick here to reserve your place \nThese Study Day sessions will be tutored by a variety of specialist contributors as well as experienced boarding staff. Many sessions will benefit from joint contributions and discussion between non-teaching and teaching staff participants. Students are also expected to read in and around the key topics and to carry out research. \nThe course will cover the following sessions: \n\nCreating a Safe Culture in Boarding: Proactive Safeguarding\nThe Boarding Management Role – Course Introduction\nEvaluating your boarding provision\nThe Inspector Calls\nManaging and Developing Pupil Induction\nLeadership and Management Tasks in the Boarding House\nThe Boarding Team – Leadership Talk\nDeveloping the Boarding Team – Competency\, Consistency & Communication\nFollowership in Middle Leadership\nPartnership with Parents\nRisk assessment and Managing Crises\nOutduction\nThe Pupil’s Voice\nSubmitting the Module Assignment/Course Reflection/Next Steps\n\nHow is the course assessed? \nThe Boarding Management Assignment Task \nThe assessment task for the Boarding Management module requires you to submit an extended piece of written work of 3500 words\, with no more than 4\,000 and no fewer than 3\,000 based on a short research project which you have carried out in your school using appropriate methodology.  The focus of this study will be an area of the management of boarding.  You will need to reflect on the themes studied in the course\, draw links between theory and practice and give evidence of background reading and research. \nThe task reflects the process of critical reflection on which the course is based\, and provides an opportunity to: \n\ninvestigate a particular aspect of your own boarding situation which you would like to improve.\nidentify the precise nature of the issue and investigate it as objectively as possible.\ndevise and recommend change and improvement.\n\nThere are two different pathways for this assignment\, an essay or an action research report.  You can choose whichever best suits you \nWhat are the course objectives? \n\nTo raise awareness of key issues of importance to boarding\nTo increase confidence and competence (especially for those with little boarding experience)\nTo bring boarding staff up to date with recent changes and developments\nTo provide opportunities to share experience and good practice with colleagues\nTo encourage reflection and critical evaluation of boarding practice and professional issues\nTo provide opportunities to study and develop expertise in specific areas of interest\nTo contribute towards school improvement and raising standards of pastoral care and welfare\nTo enhance a professional career path in boarding; to provide a certificate in recognition of successful completion of the courses.\n\nAbout BSA Accredited Training \nThe BSA’s Programme of Professional Development and Training is the most comprehensive CPD package offered to staff in boarding schools\, and includes a series of professional practice Certificate courses specifically designed to meet the practical needs of boarding staff and provide an internationally recognised qualification in Boarding Education. \nClick here to reserve your place \nDates:  November 13\, 2026; December 4\, 2026; March 15\, 2027;  June 1\, 2027. \nIf you would like to learn more about this course\, please contact Liz McDonald\, Head of Accredited.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/bsa-advanced-certificate-asia-boarding-management/
LOCATION:Online – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Accredited Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261116T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261116T153000
DTSTAMP:20261013T102533Z
CREATED:20260407T143341Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261013T102533Z
UID:72458-1794825000-1794843000@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Strategising for boarding success
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £175\n🎧 Heads\, deputy heads\, heads of boarding\, senior leads\, governors\n📍 Online\n✅ Included in BSA CPD Pass \n\nCourse outline: \nThis seminar is designed for those responsible for shaping strategy within their organisation or teams. It unpacks the essential strategic planning toolkit\, explaining how and why these tools work. Through real-world case studies from diverse sectors\, it explores practical approaches to strategic planning – and why it matters. \nLearning outcomes: \n\nClearer understanding of how to create a strategy for your organisation\nInsight into a broad range of strategic tools and methodologies\nPractical lessons from other sectors applied to schools and education.\n\nBOOK NOW \n\nSpeaker: \nRobin Fletcher\, CEO\, BSA \nRobin was a journalist\, editor and communications director before joining BSA in 2014. Robin is a member of the Department for Education’s Systems Partnership Oversight Board. Outside BSA\, he is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts\, an Honorary Fellow of Cardiff Metropolitan University\, a Governor of Rugby School\, President of the Rugbeian Society and a non-executive director of the national trade body Make UK.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/strategising-for-boarding-success-2/
LOCATION:Online – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Online,Seminar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261117T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261117T153000
DTSTAMP:20260804T093149Z
CREATED:20260325T115843Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T093149Z
UID:71919-1794909600-1794929400@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:BSA Autumn Diploma in Boarding Practice - Leadership
DESCRIPTION:We offer a self-funding route for all courses.  We can arrange payment plans for manageable monthly amounts to make training accessible and affordable.  To find out more\, please e-mail Liz McDonald at  liz.mcdonald@bsagroup.org.uk \n\n  \nDiploma in Boarding Practice – Leadership  \n‘As a Head of Boarding\, I enrolled on the course with the aim of furthering my knowledge and experience in residential life; the course did not disappoint. The study days provided a great opportunity to meet fellow boarding colleagues and discuss areas of best practice and engage in discussions on contemporary topics. The assignments were varied and included assessed presentations and written work. Each assignment had a clear success criteria and a BSA tutor was on hand to provided support and guidance if required.   \nIf you are a practitioner with a number of years of experience and looking to further your qualifications and knowledge base in boarding\, I can highly recommend this course.’ \n– A Diploma level course for senior boarding staff \nThis is a taught course with three study days and three assignments \nThis module is comprised of three tutor-led study days featuring guest speakers\, interactive morning and afternoon sessions. Breakout groups allow for discussion and time with the course tutors. \nBSA Diploma in Boarding Practice – Leadership \nTO BEGIN YOUR QUALIFICATION IN AUTUMN  CLICK HERE \nBSA Autumn Diploma in Boarding Practice – Leadership \n\nDay 1: November 17th\, 2026\nDay 2: March 9th\, 2027\nDay 3: May 19th\, 2027\n\nNumbers on Diploma courses will be limited. Please apply early. \nOur preferred platform for online training is Zoom. \nTimings for each study day:  10:00-15:30 GMT/BST \nAudience:\nThis course is aimed at senior boarding staff.  Candidates may have previously completed the BSA  Advanced Certificate Course and/or being suitably experienced to benefit from this leadership course. \nBSA Diploma in Boarding Practice (Leadership) \nThe BSA Diploma course is designed as a strategic course for senior and experienced school staff looking to gain knowledge of key leadership and management skills required to lead the boarding in their school. \nCourse Outline \n• Strategic aspects of boarding\, including the Statutory Framework \n• Leading the team – how to get the best out of the Boarding Team \n• Managing quality – evaluation and preparing for inspection \n• Managing conflict – a key facet of the senior staff role \n• Staff development  – appraisal and performance management \n• Facing the media – Guest Speaker Steve Dyson\, Dyson Media Ltd \n• Marketing – A whole team approach \nHow is the course organised? \nThe course is organised around a combination of three intensive study days which contain a variety of teaching methods and opportunities to learn in different ways\, which include short lectures\, presentations and discussions led by students\, together with group problem solving exercises and case studies. Group discussion is a particularly important aspect of this course\, enabling delegates to look at the theory in light of their own practical experience. Students will be encouraged to contribute ideas\, opinions and questions\, taking responsibility for their own learning\, whilst contributing to the learning of the group as a whole. The course is run by senior members of the BSA staff and will feature a serving Head of a boarding school and each delegate will have an experienced BSA Tutor who attends the study days. \nCourse Assessment \nAll delegates undertake a SWOT analysis of the boarding provision in their school in which they evaluate\, in detail\, different aspects and contribute towards the development of the provision. From this they undertake three assignments. The first highlights an area for development and they follow this with a 4-minute presentation delivered to the BSA staff and tutors\, as well as other delegates. The final assignment brings together all the work in a 3\,000- 4\,000 word active research project. \nApplications:\nBSA Diploma in Boarding Practice – Leadership \nTO BEGIN YOUR QUALIFICATION IN AUTUMN CLICK HERE \nBSA Autumn Diploma in Boarding Practice – Leadership \n\n\n\nDay 1: November 17th  2026\nDay 2: March 9th \, 2027\nDay 3: May 19th\, 2027\n\n\n\nNumbers on Diploma courses will be limited. Please apply early. \nNB: Please be aware that it is crucial to remain on your assigned course path and tutor group to gain the very best out of your training. Of course\, we understand some things are unavoidable however we cannot guarantee alternative placement days\, and this may incur an admin charge
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/bsa-autumn-diploma-in-boarding-practice-leadership/
LOCATION:Virtual – Zoom\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Accredited Training,Online
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261119T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261119T153000
DTSTAMP:20261013T135338Z
CREATED:20260619T160413Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261013T135338Z
UID:76866-1795084200-1795102200@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Leading a nursing team
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £175\n🎧 This seminar is suitable for Nurses with additional management responsibilities of a wider nursing/healthcare team within a wider school or education group\n📍 Online\n✅ Included in BSA CPD Pass \n\nCourse outline \nSchool nurses play a pivotal role in the health and wellbeing of pupils and staff. As approachable\, knowledgeable professionals\, their guidance is often sought during times of illness or concern. A well-led medical team contributes significantly to a welcoming and effective Medical Centre – one that champions the health of the whole school community. \nThis seminar is designed to strengthen and develop leadership skills in nurses responsible for managing small or large medical teams within a school setting. The session will explore practical strategies to enhance collaboration\, improve team dynamics\, and foster stronger connections between the Medical Centre and the wider school. Delegates will be encouraged to share insights and experiences to boost performance\, morale\, and job satisfaction. \nTraining topics will include: \n\nWhat makes an effective team? Understanding team dynamics and how to build them\nRaising the profile of the Medical Centre – practical ways to increase visibility and align with the school’s needs\nAppraisals and inductions – best practices for onboarding and supporting staff development\nThe role of supervision – why it matters in a school health setting and how to implement it effectively\nProfessional guidance and standards of care – ensuring best practice across the team.\n\nLearning outcomes: \n\nIdentify and apply the key attributes of successful leadership\nGain practical tools and ideas to build and maintain an effective\, motivated medical team\nDeepen your understanding of the responsibilities and impact of the lead nurse role.\n\n*If you would like to become a member and access discounted rates for Hieda CPD and events\, please click here. \nBOOK NOW \nThis event will be held jointly with: \n \n\nSpeaker: \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 Public Health Nurse qualification\, her passion remains promoting the Healthy Child Programme\, and promoting the visibility of school nurses in the independent sector.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/leading-a-nursing-team/
LOCATION:Virtual (Zoom) – This event will NOT be recorded\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Online,Seminar
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261125T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261125T153000
DTSTAMP:20260804T093750Z
CREATED:20260521T131414Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T093750Z
UID:75837-1795600800-1795620600@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Certificate in Boarding Practice – Boarding Management - November Module
DESCRIPTION:  \nWe offer a self-funding route for all courses.  We can arrange payment plans for manageable monthly amounts to make training accessible and affordable.  To find out more\, please e-mail Liz McDonald at  liz.mcdonald@bsagroup.org.uk \n\nThe BSA’s Programme of Professional Development and Training is the most comprehensive CPD package offered to staff in boarding schools\, and includes a series of professional practice Certificate courses specifically designed to meet the practical needs of boarding staff and provide an internationally recognised qualification in Boarding Education. \nThis is a two-year modular course aimed specifically at staff working in and around boarding. Over the last 20 years approx. 3000 House Tutors\, Matrons\, Support Staff\, School Nurses\, Assistants\, House Parents and HsMs have completed this Award. \n\nPart 1: BSA Certificate in Boarding Practice – Pastoral Care\n\nand one of these: \n\nPart 2: BSA Advanced Certificate in Boarding Practice – Boarding Management\nPart 2: BSA Advanced Certificate in Boarding Practice for School Nurses\nPart 2: BSA Certificate in Boarding Practice – Pupil Support and Welfare\nPart 2: BSA Advanced Certificate in Boarding Practice – International Students\n\nWhat does this course cover? \nThis course is taken by both graduate teaching and non-graduate house staff\, including matrons\, assistant house staff and house parents\, with responsibility for the care and welfare of boarding pupils. The course sessions will broadly cover the following areas: \n\nCreating a Safe Culture in Boarding: Proactive Safeguarding\nThe Boarding Management Role – Course Introduction\nEvaluating your boarding provision\nThe Inspector Calls\nManaging and Developing Pupil Induction\nLeadership and Management Tasks in the Boarding House\nThe Boarding Team – Leadership Talk\nDeveloping the Boarding Team – Competency\, Consistency & Communication\nFollowership in Middle Leadership\nPartnership with Parents\nRisk assessment and Managing Crises\nOutduction\nThe Pupil’s Voice\nSubmitting the Module Assignment/Course Reflection/Next Steps.\n\nHow will this course help me to develop personally and professionally? \n● Be able to evaluate and have a clear appreciation of the personal and professional needs and skills involved in your boarding role; \n● Develop greater knowledge and understanding of the issues covered in the syllabus; \n● Develop\, through support and guidance\, the range of personal strategies you use to resolve relevant welfare concerns for your pupils; \n● Develop your ability to reflect critically on your work and evaluate the need for change or action; \n● Develop your study and planning skills and your ability to analyse reading and reference material; \n● Be able to communicate and defend your views and opinions orally and in writing; \nIn addition\, at graduate level\, successful completion of the course will enable you to: \n● Develop a clear vision of the school’s management strategies for providing good pastoral care; \n● Develop your study and time management skills and your ability to analyse reading and a wide range of reference sources; \nHow is the course organised? \nThe course is organised around a combination of intensive study days which contain a variety of teaching methods and opportunities to learn in different ways; short lectures\, presentations and discussions led by students\, together with group problem solving exercises and case studies. Group discussion is a particularly important aspect of this module\, enabling you to look at the theory in the light of your own practical experience. You will be encouraged to contribute ideas\, opinions and questions\, take responsibility for your own learning and\, by sharing\, to contribute to the learning of the group as a whole. \nThere are some 12 courses running at any one time; four of the Pastoral Care and four Boarding Management and two of BSA Advanced Certificate in Boarding Practice for School Nurses and BSA Certificate in Boarding Practice – School Support & Welfare\, BSA Advanced Certificate in Boarding Practice – International Students. \nStudy day dates for this November Module are: \n\nStudy Day 1\, November 25\, 2026\nStudy Day 2\, January 15\, 2027\nStudy Day 3\, March 10 2027\nStudy Day 4\, May 21\, 2027\n\nTO BEGIN YOUR NOVEMBER QUALIFICATION\, CLICK HERE \nAll study days will be online via Zoom. \nIf cancelling four weeks before Day 1 of the course\, a refund will be given. Cancellation after this period and before Day 1\, a cancellation fee will be charged. \nNB: Please be aware that it is crucial to remain on your assigned course path and tutor group to gain the very best out of your training. Of course\, we understand some things are unavoidable however we cannot guarantee alternative placement days\, and this may incur an admin charge.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/certificate-in-boarding-practice-boarding-management-november-module/
LOCATION:Online – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Accredited Training,Online
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261125T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261125T150000
DTSTAMP:20261022T093018Z
CREATED:20260408T105659Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261022T093018Z
UID:72497-1795615200-1795618800@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:How to set up effective professional supervision for boarding\, pastoral and safeguarding staff
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £90\n📍 Online\n🎥 Watch live or on catch up\n✅ Included in BSA CPD Pass \n\nCourse outline: \nThis session explores how schools can establish effective professional and peer supervision for boarding\, pastoral and safeguarding staff. It covers supervision’s origins and evidence base\, relevant models\, and its contribution to reflective practice\, emotional resilience\, staff development and safeguarding.\nThrough practical examples and reflective dialogue\, participants will consider roles\, boundaries\, confidentiality and psychological safety. The session will explore how peer reflection brings fresh perspectives on risk\, strengthens ethical practice and supports culturally aware teams\, drawing on school and international examples. Practical tools will help participants embed supervision and overcome common challenges. \n  \nBy the end of the session\, participants will be able to: \n\nDefine professional and peer supervision and distinguish them from line management and mentoring.\nExplain supervision’s benefits for wellbeing\, professional development\, pastoral care and safeguarding.\nRecognise the roles\, skills\, responsibilities and boundaries of supervisors and supervisees.\nUse reflective tools to explore risks\, ethical dilemmas and different cultural perspectives.\nIdentify practical steps to establish a psychologically safe\, supportive and accountable supervision culture.\n\nBOOK NOW \n\nThis event will be held jointly with: \n \n  \n  \n  \nSpeaker: 
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/how-to-set-up-effective-professional-supervision-for-boarding-and-pastoral-staff/
LOCATION:Virtual – Zoom\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Online,Webinar
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261126T150000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261126T160000
DTSTAMP:20260806T095700Z
CREATED:20260408T105927Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260806T095700Z
UID:72499-1795705200-1795708800@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Midlands forum
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ Free of charge\n🎧 Heads\, deputies\, senior leaders\, heads of boarding\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: \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/midlands-forum-3/
LOCATION:Online – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Forum
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261127T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261127T120000
DTSTAMP:20260813T112108Z
CREATED:20260408T110302Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T112108Z
UID:72503-1795777200-1795780800@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:London 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: \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/london-forum-2/
LOCATION:Online – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Forum
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261202T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261202T103000
DTSTAMP:20261020T142444Z
CREATED:20260408T105152Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T142444Z
UID:72493-1796203800-1796207400@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:South West 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: \nRobin Fletcher\, CEO\, BSA \nRobin was a journalist\, editor and communications director before joining BSA in 2014. Robin is a member of the Department for Education’s Systems Partnership Oversight Board. Outside BSA\, he is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts\, an Honorary Fellow of Cardiff Metropolitan University\, a Governor of Rugby School\, President of the Rugbeian Society and a non-executive director of the national trade body Make UK.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/south-west-forum-4/
LOCATION:Virtual – Zoom\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Forum
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20270121T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270121T123000
DTSTAMP:20260804T093022Z
CREATED:20260410T065047Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T093022Z
UID:74238-1800527400-1800534600@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Driving boarding recruitment through LinkedIn
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £135\n🎧 Heads of Pastoral and Boarding\, Admissions and Marketing Staff\n📍 Online\n✅ Included in BSA CPD Pass \n\nCourse outline: \nThis course focuses on using LinkedIn as a cost-effective method to support boarder recruitment. Aimed at senior leaders\, marketing and admissions staff the course looks at how to build connections and followers\, create suitable content\, manage messaging and use analytics to track performance. Practical\, with plenty of take aways and examples\, it aims to give schools another weapon in their marketing and recruitment armoury. \nTraining topics will include: \n\nLinked In’s role among social platforms\nHow it works\nBuilding connections and followers\nEffective messaging\nTargeting prospects.\n\nLearning outcomes: \n\nAn understanding of LinkedIn and how to use it to support school marketing\nBuilding a strategy and plan to best utilise the power of LinkedIn.\n\nBOOK NOW \n\nSpeaker:
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/driving-boarding-recruitment-through-linkedin/
LOCATION:Online – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Online,Seminar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20270202T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270203T170000
DTSTAMP:20261022T133029Z
CREATED:20260409T123713Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261022T133029Z
UID:74175-1801558800-1801674000@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Annual Boarding Conference 2027
DESCRIPTION:🎧 Deputy Heads and Heads of Boarding\n📍 DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole\n🏠 Discounted accommodation available\n⭐ Featuring the BSA Supporting Excellence Awards – Entries are now open (find out more here) \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\nHeadline Sponsors: \n               \n\nThis event will be held jointly with: \n \n\n\nConference Programme\nDay 1\n  \n10:30 – 11:00            Registration & refreshments \nArrival\, refreshments and an opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the boarding sector. \n\n11:00 – 11.15             Welcome and Chair’s address\n \nAn introduction to the conference theme\, The Future Starts Here: Leading Boarding with Courage\, Care and Connection\, setting the scene for two days of discussion\, professional learning and collaboration. \nChair: Dr Clare Ives\, Head\, The Leys School \n\n11:15 – 12:15            Keynote: Inclusive leadership \n\nExplore how courageous\, compassionate and inclusive leadership can shape the future of boarding. This opening keynote considers how leaders can create environments where staff and pupils feel valued\, empowered and connected\, building school communities in which everyone can thrive. \nSpeaker: Hannah Wilson\, Founder and Director\, The Belonging Effect \n\n\n12:15 – 13:00            Teens turning to Social Media platforms to source Drugs and how dealers are adopting their tactics to capitalise on this   \n\nThis session explores how teenagers are using social media to access drugs and how dealers are adapting their tactics to reach young people. It will highlight emerging substance trends and the drugs that could appear in schools\, helping boarding staff better understand the changing risks and implications for safeguarding. \nSpeaker: Dave Parvin\, MD and Training Specialist\, Drug Sense UK \n\n\n13:00 – 14:00           Lunch and Networking \n\n\n14:00 – 14:30         Who’s looking after you? \n\nBoarding leaders dedicate their time to caring for others\, but who supports their own wellbeing? Explore the pressures of pastoral leadership and discover practical approaches to maintaining resilience\, managing competing demands and creating a healthier\, more sustainable working culture. \nSpeaker: Helen Keevil\, Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Designated Safeguarding Lead\, Abingdon School \n\n\n14:30 – 15:30           Roundtable discussion: Live issues in boarding \n\nAn interactive opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities currently shaping boarding provision. Share experiences\, explore emerging concerns and exchange practical solutions with colleagues from different school settings\, drawing on the collective expertise of the boarding community. \nSpeakers: \n\nSam Obeng-Asare\, Assistant Head (Boarding)\, Haberdashers’ Adams\nRachel Hart\, Deputy Head (Pastoral)\, Roedean School\n\n\n\n15:30 – 16:00           Refreshments and Networking \n\n\n16:00 – 16:45            Legal update: What every boarding leader needs to know \nStay informed about key legal and regulatory developments affecting boarding schools. This session examines important considerations for school leaders\, highlighting areas of risk\, compliance responsibilities and practical steps to strengthen governance\, safeguarding and everyday decision-making. \nSpeaker: Kate Hollyer\, Executive Director (Legal)\, Abitas Group and Director\, BSA Legal \n\n16:45 – 17:30           Challenging sexual harassment and misogyny \nExplore how boarding schools can challenge sexual harassment\, misogyny and harmful attitudes among young people. This session considers the importance of education\, respectful relationships and creating a culture where inappropriate behaviour is recognised\, challenged and prevented. \nSpeaker: Our Streets Now \n\n17:30           Close of Day One \n\n19:00 – 19:30           Drinks Reception \nAn opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and make new connections ahead of the Annual Conference Dinner. \n\n19:30           Annual Conference Dinner and Awards \nJoin colleagues for an evening of celebration\, networking and recognition\, including the Annual Conference Awards highlighting excellence and achievement across the boarding sector. \n\n\nConference Programme\nDay 2\n  \n09:45 – 10:15            Boarding State of the Nation \nAn overview of the current boarding landscape\, examining key developments\, emerging challenges and opportunities for the sector. Reflect on the changing needs of boarding communities and consider how schools can prepare confidently for the future. \nSpeaker: Robin Fletcher\, CEO\, Abitas Group\, BSA and TIOB \n\n10:15 – 11.00             A Conversation on Leadership\n \nJoin experienced school leaders for an engaging discussion about the realities of leading boarding schools today. Explore leadership challenges\, lessons learned and the qualities needed to navigate change\, inspire colleagues and build thriving school communities. \nSpeakers: \n\nMark Lauder\, Headmaster\, Strathallan School\nDr Clare Ives\, Head\, The Leys School\nChris Wheeler\, Headmaster\, Canford School\n\n\n11:00 – 11:30             Refreshments and Networking \n\n\n11:30 – 12:15            Research: Shaping the future of boarding  \n\nDiscover how research can inform the future of boarding practice and strengthen outcomes for young people. This session explores the importance of evidence-informed approaches and considers how emerging findings can support innovation and continuous improvement across boarding communities. \nSpeaker: Katie Phillips\, BSA Foundation Fellow \n\n12:15 – 12:30            Conference Sponsor Session  \n\nAn opportunity to hear from conference sponsor I-GTM and explore perspectives relevant to the boarding sector. \nSpeaker: David Williams\, Managing Director\, I-GTM \n\n\n\n12:30 – 13:15           Breakout Sessions \n\nDelegates can select from a range of practical workshops exploring key areas of boarding leadership and provision. \n\nBreakout 1: Looking beyond the behaviour\nChallenging behaviour often reflects an underlying need. Explore how understanding belonging\, emotional safety and pupil agency can help boarding staff respond with empathy\, maintain appropriate boundaries and support young people in developing independence and self-regulation. \nBreakout 2: BSA PR campaign\nExplore opportunities to strengthen the profile of boarding and communicate its value to families and wider audiences. Consider how clear messaging\, authentic stories and collaborative promotion can help celebrate boarding communities and support future recruitment. \nSpeaker: Aileen Kane\, Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer\, BSA and Abitas Group\n \nBreakout 3: Applying for SLT roles abroad\nConsidering the next step in your leadership career overseas? Explore the opportunities and challenges of applying for senior leadership positions in international schools\, including how to demonstrate your experience\, prepare for recruitment processes and navigate a move abroad. \nBreakout 4: Taking on a New Boarding House\nTaking responsibility for a new boarding house brings exciting opportunities and challenges. Explore the practical and pastoral priorities involved in establishing routines\, building relationships\, creating a positive house culture and ensuring a smooth transition for pupils and staff. \nBreakout 5: Boarding and co-curricular: Creating opportunities beyond the classroom\nDiscover how a rich co-curricular programme can enhance boarding life\, strengthen relationships and support pupils’ personal development. Explore the role of music\, creativity and shared experiences in building confident\, connected and inclusive boarding communities. \n\n13:15 – 14:00           Lunch and Networking \n\n14:00 – 15:00             Would You Spot It? \n\nPut your safeguarding knowledge to the test through realistic scenarios reflecting the complexities of boarding life. Develop professional curiosity\, consider effective responses to emerging concerns and strengthen your confidence in identifying and addressing potential risks. \n\n\n15:00                           Conference Close \n\n\nSpeakers\n  \n \nConference Chair and Panellist: Dr Clare Ives\, Head\, The Leys School \nDr Clare Ives became Head of The Leys School in September 2025\, having previously served as Senior Deputy Head at Sevenoaks School. Her earlier roles at Canford School included Boarding Housemistress\, Head of History and Equity\, Diversity and Inclusion Lead. A graduate of the University of St Andrews\, Clare holds a PhD examining Robert Kennedy’s record on civil rights. Before entering teaching\, she spent eight years in the Civil Service. Her leadership experience reflects a strong commitment to academic excellence\, pastoral care and inclusive school communities. She is also an enthusiastic musician and sportswoman. \n\nHannah Wilson\, Founder and Director\, The Belonging Effect \nHannah Wilson is a leadership development consultant\, coach and trainer specialising in inclusive leadership\, equity and belonging in education. She is the Founder and Director of The Belonging Effect and Co-Founder of #WomenEd and #DiverseEd. Hannah has over 20 years’ experience in education\, holding leadership positions including Deputy and Executive Headteacher. She is Co-Editor of Diverse Educators: A Manifesto and author of Cultivating Belonging in Schools (2026). Through her consultancy\, writing and speaking\, Hannah supports education leaders in creating inclusive cultures\, developing confident leadership and ensuring that every member of a school community feels valued. \n\nDave Parvin\, MD and Training Specialist\, Drug Sense UK \nDave Parvin is a former police Drug Squad Officer and experienced drug awareness educator. Drawing on his first-hand knowledge of substance misuse\, Dave has delivered hundreds of awareness sessions to pupils\, parents and school staff across the UK and internationally. His work focuses on helping young people understand the risks associated with drugs\, alcohol and vaping\, enabling them to make informed decisions. Known for his engaging\, direct and non-judgemental approach\, Dave works closely with schools and education organisations\, including the BSA and Health in Education Association\, to deliver practical training and guidance on emerging substance-related concerns. \n\nHelen Keevil\, Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Designated Safeguarding Lead\, Abingdon School \nHelen Keevil is Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Designated Safeguarding Lead at Abingdon School\, where she oversees pupil welfare\, pastoral systems\, safeguarding and boarding provision. She also leads on diversity\, equity and inclusion and works closely with pastoral colleagues to support pupil wellbeing and positive school culture. A graduate of the University of Exeter in Modern Foreign Languages\, Helen combines her senior leadership responsibilities with teaching. She has written about mental health\, pastoral care and the importance of embedding wellbeing throughout school life\, bringing practical experience and a thoughtful perspective to the challenges facing pastoral leaders. \n\nSam Obeng-Asare\, Assistant Head (Boarding)\, Haberdashers’ Adams\n \nSam Obeng-Asare is Assistant Head (Boarding) at Haberdashers’ Adams\, a state boarding school in Newport\, Shropshire. He plays a central role in leading the school’s boarding provision\, supporting pupils across junior and senior boarding accommodation. His responsibilities include promoting a positive residential experience\, supporting pupil wellbeing and helping young people develop independence and confidence. Sam is also part of the school’s safeguarding team\, serving as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead. His experience provides a valuable perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing state boarding schools and the importance of creating supportive\, inclusive communities for young people. \n\nRachel Hart\, Deputy Head (Pastoral)\, Roedean School\n \nRachel Hart is Deputy Head (Pastoral) at Roedean School in Brighton\, bringing extensive experience of pastoral care\, safeguarding and pupil wellbeing in independent and boarding schools. She previously worked at Caterham School as a Head of Year and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead. Rachel has a particular interest in supporting young people experiencing eating disorders and mental health challenges and has contributed articles on these subjects to Tes. Her work focuses on helping staff develop consistent\, informed approaches to pastoral care and creating school environments in which pupils feel supported\, understood and safe. \n\nKate Hollyer\, Director\, BSA Legal\n \nKate advises independent day and boarding schools on the immigration law governing their international student recruitment. She leads the legal function across Abitas Group\, heads its SRA-regulated practice BSA Legal\, and has practised in UK immigration law for over 15 years. Her work covers Student sponsor licence compliance at senior leadership and governance level\, and she acts for schools facing UKVI enforcement action. For schools sponsoring under-18s\, immigration compliance is safeguarding\, and much of her practice sits where sponsor duties and safeguarding frameworks meet. She has lived in boarding schools throughout her career. Kate represents the school sector on the Home Office’s Future Border and Immigration System (FBIS) Education Advisory Group and the UK Agent Quality Framework Steering Group\, and the boarding sector at the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Students. She is a qualified solicitor and a member of ILPA. \n\nOur Streets Now\n \nOur Streets Now is a UK organisation dedicated to ending public sexual harassment through education\, advocacy and cultural change. Founded in 2019 by sisters Maya and Gemma Tutton\, the organisation began as a youth-led campaign calling for public sexual harassment to become a criminal offence. It now works with schools\, universities\, communities and other organisations to challenge harmful attitudes and promote safer environments. Its educational work supports young people in understanding consent\, respect\, healthy relationships and the impact of harassment. Through awareness-raising and practical education\, Our Streets Now seeks to prevent harassment and empower young people to challenge inappropriate behaviour. \n\nRobin Fletcher\, CEO\, Abitas Group\, BSA and TIOB\n \nRobin Fletcher is Chief Executive of Abitas Group\, the Boarding Schools’ Association and The Institute of Boarding. He joined the BSA as CEO in 2014 and has overseen its development as part of a wider group of associations and services dedicated to safeguarding\, wellbeing and inclusion. Robin is also a director of BSA Legal and The Athena Programme. Before joining the boarding sector\, he worked as a journalist\, editor and communications director. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and an Honorary Fellow of Cardiff Metropolitan University. His work focuses on strengthening professional standards and supporting boarding communities. \n\nMark Lauder\, Headmaster\, Strathallan School\n \nMark Lauder has been Headmaster of Strathallan School since 2017 and brings extensive experience of teaching and leadership in boarding schools. His career includes appointments at Shiplake College\, St Edward’s Oxford and Felsted School\, where he served as Deputy Headmaster and Head of Boarding. Before joining Strathallan\, he was Headmaster of Ashville College in Harrogate. Mark has also worked as a boarding Housemaster\, sports coach and school governor\, bringing a broad understanding of residential education. A former Chair of the Boarding Schools’ Association\, he is committed to the transformative potential of boarding and the importance of inclusive\, holistic education. \n\nChris Wheeler\, Headmaster\, Canford School\n \nChris Wheeler became Headmaster of Canford School in September 2025\, bringing extensive experience of independent and international school leadership. Previously Principal of the Monkton Family of Schools\, his career has also included leadership positions at Hillcrest International School\, St Christopher’s and Brighton College. Chris has an MBA in Educational Leadership and Administration from UCL and has served in several sector leadership roles. He is Chair of The Institute of Boarding and is due to become Chair of the Boarding Schools’ Association in 2027. He is passionate about developing effective educational leadership and supporting pupils through a broad\, enriching school experience. \n\nKatie Philips\, BSA Foundation Fellow\, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapeutic Counsellor\n \nKatie Phillips is a qualified and accredited Child and Adolescent Psychotherapeutic Counsellor with 15 years’ experience working in UK and international boarding schools. Her previous roles include teacher\, boarding practitioner\, Housemistress and Mental Health Lead. Katie holds a postgraduate qualification in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapeutic Counselling from the University of Cambridge and is an Accredited Boarding Practitioner. Her professional interests centre on integrating therapeutic approaches into pastoral care. Drawing on her research and practical experience\, she has developed a reflective practice model supporting staff wellbeing and professional development within boarding communities. \n\nAileen Kane\, Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer\, BSA and Abitas Group\n \nAileen Kane is Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer of Abitas Group\, bringing extensive experience in strategic marketing\, communications\, business development and organisational leadership. Her work includes developing brand positioning\, building partnerships and supporting growth across the education sector. At Abitas Group\, Aileen has led initiatives covering strategic marketing\, organisational transformation and stakeholder engagement. She has also worked with government departments and sector partners to support best practice in safeguarding\, international student recruitment and educational provision. Aileen brings valuable insight into the importance of effective communication\, collaboration and promotion in strengthening the future of boarding. \n\nDavid Williams\, Co-Founder and CEO\, I-GTM\n \nDavid Williams is a Co-Founder and CEO of I-GTM\, the leading travel record-keeping and management platform for UK boarding schools. Before launching I-GTM\, David built and led a talent acquisition firm operating in emerging markets\, gaining first-hand experience of the global networks that underpin the boarding school ecosystem. He now applies that insight to joining up the requirement for travel whereabouts recording with operational excellence. As the shift toward more international boarders gathers pace\, this approach helps ensure schools remain truly “open to the world\,” supporting enrolment and giving agents and families clear\, confident messages about access to these world-class institutions. \n\n\nGetting Here\nBy Car \nThe hotel is located on Brighton’s seafront and can be accessed via the A23 from London or the A27 from the east and west. \nOn-site underground parking is available at: \n\nCar park address: St Margaret’s Place\, Brighton\, BN1 2FD\nParking charge: Currently advertised at £29 per day\nHeight restriction: 1.8 metres\nAvailability: Subject to spaces being available\n\nPlease note that taller vehicles\, including some vans\, will need alternative parking arrangements. \nBy Train \nBrighton Railway Station is approximately a 15–20-minute walk from the hotel. Alternatively\, taxis are available outside the station for a short journey to the venue.\nBrighton is served by Southern\, Thameslink and Gatwick Express services. \nBy Air \nLondon Gatwick Airport is the nearest major airport\, approximately 23 miles from the hotel. Regular train services connect Gatwick Airport with Brighton Railway Station. \n 
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:20270203T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270203T153000
DTSTAMP:20260806T100255Z
CREATED:20260420T144723Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260806T100255Z
UID:74531-1801650600-1801668600@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Leading a nursing team
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £175\n🎧 This seminar is suitable for Nurses with additional management responsibilities of a wider nursing/healthcare team within a wider school or education group\n📍 Online\n✅ Included in BSA CPD Pass \n\nCourse outline: \nSchool nurses play a pivotal role in the health and wellbeing of pupils and staff. As approachable\, knowledgeable professionals\, their guidance is often sought during times of illness or concern. A well-led medical team contributes significantly to a welcoming and effective Medical Centre – one that champions the health of the whole school community. \nThis seminar is designed to strengthen and develop leadership skills in nurses responsible for managing small or large medical teams within a school setting. The session will explore practical strategies to enhance collaboration\, improve team dynamics\, and foster stronger connections between the Medical Centre and the wider school. Delegates will be encouraged to share insights and experiences to boost performance\, morale\, and job satisfaction. \nTraining topics will include: \n\nWhat makes an effective team? Understanding team dynamics and how to build them\nRaising the profile of the Medical Centre – practical ways to increase visibility and align with the school’s needs\nAppraisals and inductions – best practices for onboarding and supporting staff development\nThe role of supervision – why it matters in a school health setting and how to implement it effectively\nProfessional guidance and standards of care – ensuring best practice across the team.\n\nLearning outcomes: \n\nIdentify and apply the key attributes of successful leadership\nGain practical tools and ideas to build and maintain an effective\, motivated medical team\nDeepen your understanding of the responsibilities and impact of the lead nurse role.\n\nBOOK NOW \nThis event will be held jointly with \n \n  \n  \n  \n\nSpeaker: \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.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/leading-a-nursing-team-2/
LOCATION:Online – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Online,Seminar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20270204T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270204T210000
DTSTAMP:20261016T160131Z
CREATED:20260701T144836Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261016T160131Z
UID:77165-1801764000-1801774800@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Lessons in Leadership
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ £45\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.\n  \nSession Topic : Food Security is National Security. \nMinette will explore whether modern politics is actually well prepared for feeding the country\, in an ever more volatile world.  Having worked with three Prime Ministers in one year and written a review of farm profitability for the Labour government she will explain the political hurdles she faced and why leadership now is more important than ever. She also published a book Harvest in May 2026: a memoir/manifesto. \n\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. \n\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. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n\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:20270225T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270225T103000
DTSTAMP:20260814T080703Z
CREATED:20260420T145955Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260814T080703Z
UID:74545-1803547800-1803551400@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Inclusive recruitment practices
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £90\n🎧 Headteachers\, Deputy and Assistant Headteachers\, Heads of Boarding and HR professionals\n📍 Online\n🎥 Watch live or on catch up\n✅ Included in BSA CPD Pass \n\nCourse outline: \nWe want our schools to be as inclusive and diverse as possible. However\, if we do what we’ve always done\, we’ll get what we’ve always got. Join us for this interactive seminar where we will address the challenges of recruiting a diverse workforce. Our speaker will provide practical strategies to support inclusive recruitment practices in schools. \nTraining topics will include: \n\nYou want to be genuinely authentic and inclusive when recruiting ALL staff\nYou want to increase the diversity of your staff\nYou want to be compliant with the law\n\nLearning outcomes: \n\nReview of current recruitment processes\nPractical steps for a more diverse staff body\n\nBOOK NOW \n\nSpeaker:
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/inclusive-recruitment-practices-3/
LOCATION:Online – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Online,Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20270226T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270226T153000
DTSTAMP:20260804T094951Z
CREATED:20260420T150704Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T094951Z
UID:74549-1803637800-1803655800@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Preparing for inspection England: ISI and Ofsted
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £175\n🎧 Safeguarding Leads\, Governors\, Trustees\n📍 Online\n✅ Included in BSA CPD Pass \n\nCourse outline: \nSchools have become familiar with the requirements of the regular inspection process. This virtual day seminar is aimed both at those who are familiar with the process and those completely new to it. The day focuses on the process itself\, preparation for forthcoming inspection visits\, and relevant updates on new legislation that could impact an inspection result. \nThroughout the session\, information and actions will refer to the National Minimum Standards 2022\, as well as referencing appropriate updates to other guidance such as Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025. \nThere will be specific breakout sessions during the day to focus on ISI or Ofsted as appropriate. Reference will therefore be made to either the ISI Framework and inspection process\, including Framework 23\, or the Ofsted SCCIF (Social Care Common Inspection Framework).  This training aims to be relevant and valuable regardless of where schools are in the inspection cycle. \nTraining topics will include: \n\nUpdates to current guidance – including KCSIE 2025 and the National Minimum Standards 2022\nPreparing for inspection – gathering evidence relating to the ISI or Ofsted inspection framework\nGoing beyond the minimum standard – securing the best outcomes for pupils\, actions that go beyond the minimum standards\nEmbedding a regular audit procedure – looking at the process of review and reflection and establishing a long-term process beyond the inspection cycle.\n\nLearning outcomes: \n\nRecommendations of how to prepare for an inspection\nIncreased understanding of relevant legislative and guidance updates\nRecommendations for conducting a regular audit procedure.\n\nBOOK NOW \n\nSpeaker:  \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\nSue Duff \nFollowing a successful career in commerce\, culminating in a senior position in a world leading market research organisation\, Sue made the transition to teaching in the independent sector. Having worked in prep\, GSA and HMC environments\, she has a breadth of experience across the independent schools sector. Sue has always focussed on boarding in her teaching career having set up two houses from scratch as well as running boarding teams. Before the leap to self employment\, she was on the Senior Leadership Team at one of the country’s premier HMC boarding schools\, having led the integration of the school into a fully co-educational environment and held various management positions. Sue now works with schools\, both in the UK and worldwide\, as an inspector and consultant predominantly looking at boarding\, pastoral and academic systems\, helping to improve the outcomes that pupils experience. She also works on whole school compliance projects. Sue has worked with the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) since 2011 and is a Lead/Reporting Inspector\, also inspecting for AEGIS and COBIS. She has been working with the BSA undertaking consultancy and training for almost 20 years. Sue is vice-chair of Governors at a large HMC co-ed school in Worcestershire.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/preparing-for-inspection-england-isi-and-ofsted/
LOCATION:Online – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Online,Seminar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20270226T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270226T140000
DTSTAMP:20260804T095026Z
CREATED:20260420T150936Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T095026Z
UID:74551-1803646800-1803650400@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:State of the boarding nation (Guardians toolbox talk)
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £175\n🎧 Head/Principal\, Deputy Head/Vice-Principal\, Bursar\, Head of Boarding\, Houseparents\, Boarding staff\n📍 Online\n✅ Included in BSA CPD Pass \n\nCourse outline: \nThis course will help schools better understand the boarding market and support strategic planning. Delegates will look at boarding in the UK and globally drawing on long-term data and other information from a wide range of different sources to build a 3-D picture of the sector\, schools\, customers\, pupils and trends. \nTraining topics will include: \n\nUK boarding market today – covering number\, type and distribution of UK schools\nChanges over the past 30 years – number of pupils\, type of pupils\, distribution\, sectoral changes relative to wider changes in the UK\nTrends and challenges – key things happening in the market today affecting school performance\nBuilding for the future – a systematic approach to helping schools shape their boarding development plan.\n\nLearning outcomes: \n\nIncreased knowledge of long-term data and trends affecting the boarding sector\nTailored trend information to help schools plan and develop their boarding.\n\nBOOK NOW \n\nSpeaker:
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/state-of-the-boarding-nation-guardians-toolbox-talk/
LOCATION:Online – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Forum,Online
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20270309T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270309T113000
DTSTAMP:20260909T120740Z
CREATED:20260707T124201Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260909T120740Z
UID:77337-1804588200-1804591800@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Innovation in action: Creative thinking for problem solving
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £90\n🎧 Head/Principal\, Deputy Head/Vice-Principal\, Bursar\, Head of Boarding\, Houseparents\, Boarding staff\n📍 Online\n🎥 Watch live or on catch up\n✅ Included in BSA CPD Pass \n\nCourse outline: \nInnovation isn’t just about having brilliant ideas; it’s about recognising opportunities\, solving problems creatively\, and developing practical solutions. This engaging webinar explores the principles of innovation and creative thinking\, drawing on examples from some of the world’s most successful inventors and organisations. \nThrough practical innovation models\, real-life case studies and interactive discussion\, delegates will discover how to foster creative thinking\, overcome barriers to innovation\, and develop a structured approach to problem-solving within their own schools and organisations. \nTraining topics \n\nUnderstanding innovation and why it matters in today’s educational landscape\nDeveloping a creative problem-solving mindset\nExploring proven innovation and design thinking frameworks\nLearning from real-world inventions and the challenges that inspired them\nApplying innovation techniques to everyday challenges in schools\nEncouraging a culture of creativity\, experimentation and continuous improvement\n\nLearning outcomes \nBy the end of this webinar\, delegates will be able to: \n\nUnderstand the key principles of innovation and creative thinking.\nApply structured approaches to solving problems creatively.\nIdentify opportunities for innovation within their own role or organisation.\nUse practical tools and techniques to generate\, test and develop new ideas.\nFeel more confident in encouraging innovation and continuous improvement within their teams.\n\nBOOK NOW \n\nSpeakers: \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.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/innovation-in-action-creative-thinking-for-problem-solving/
LOCATION:Online – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Online,Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20270309T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270309T130000
DTSTAMP:20260811T143107Z
CREATED:20260420T155705Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T143107Z
UID:74568-1804593600-1804597200@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Boarding Box Set: Building a Positive Staff Culture
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £90\n🎧 Deputy Head Pastoral\, Head of Boarding\, Senior Boarding Practitioners\, Houseparents\n📍 Online \n🎥 Watch live or on catch up\n✅ Included in BSA CPD Pass\n \n\nBSA’s Boarding box set series is designed to give boarding staff and school leaders a broad overview of a range of key boarding-related topics. This series is ideal for staff moving into senior positions in boarding\, preparing for Deputy Headship and consolidating their understanding on the wider sector ‘headlines’. \nCourse Outline \nThis session in BSA’s Boarding Box Set series explores wellbeing and staff support within boarding\, equipping current and aspiring senior leaders with a strategic overview of how to foster a healthy\, resilient\, and high-performing boarding community. Designed for those moving into senior roles or preparing for Deputy Headship\, the course examines sector expectations\, safeguarding responsibilities\, staff culture\, workload management\, and effective systems of pastoral support. Participants will reflect on current boarding “headlines\,” consider emerging wellbeing challenges\, and develop practical strategies to support staff professionally and personally\, ensuring sustainable leadership and positive outcomes for boarders. \nTraining Topics  \n\nThe strategic importance of staff wellbeing in sustaining safe\, effective boarding provision.\nCreating a supportive boarding culture that promotes psychological safety and professional trust.\nRecognising and responding to stress\, burnout\, and mental health concerns among boarding staff.\nImplementing supervision\, appraisal\, and professional development systems that strengthen staff resilience.\nAligning wellbeing practice with safeguarding\, inspection frameworks\, and sector expectations.\n\nLearning Outcomes  \n\nUnderstand the key factors influencing staff wellbeing in a boarding environment.\nIdentify early signs of stress and burnout and respond with appropriate leadership strategies.\nEvaluate existing staff support systems and identify areas for improvement.\nDevelop practical approaches to embedding a culture of wellbeing within boarding teams.\nArticulate how effective staff support contributes to improved outcomes for boarders and whole-school performance.\n\nBOOK NOW \n\nAndrew Lewin\, BSA Senior Consultant \nAndrew Lewin was International Director at the BSA before moving into a consultant role. His broad remit offers a range of services to boarding schools worldwide. He has considerable experience working with boarding school staff all around the world\, as he has lived and worked in boarding schools for much of his life. \nAndrew has set up his own company in 2020\, Project 1000 Ltd\, that focuses on educational consultancy and resilience coaching. He is a WRAW Master Practitioner\, trained by the Wellbeing Project\, and offers coaching\, diagnostic assessments\, workshops and seminars. He is currently working as a Director of Development in an independent school and is also Education Development Director for Performance Learning and an IAPS Consultant. Away from the world of education\, he is a director of WASP\, S&SWGC and TEAM Removals. \n\nOther titles in this series: \n\n\n\n1. Boarding box set – sector overview and market analysis\nNovember 02\, 2026\n\n\n2. Boarding box set – Safeguarding\nNovember 30\, 2026\n\n\n3. Boarding box set – Inclusion and belonging\nMarch 01\, 2027\n\n\n4. Boarding box set – understanding UKVI compliance\nMarch 05\, 2027\n\n\n5. Boarding Box Set: Building a Positive Staff Culture\nMarch 09\, 2027\n\n\n6. Boarding box set – Marketing considerations for boarding schools\nApril 21\, 2027\n\n\n7. Boarding box set – Preparing for a boarding inspection\nMay 24\, 2026\n\n\n8. Boarding box set – boarding house management\nJune 10\, 2027\n\n\n\n 
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/boarding-box-set-wellbeing-and-staff-support-4/
LOCATION:Online – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Online,Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20270325T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270325T153000
DTSTAMP:20260804T085843Z
CREATED:20240212T150538Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T085843Z
UID:45421-1805968800-1805988600@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Career Confidence: Planning Your Next Move
DESCRIPTION:We offer a self-funding route for all courses.  We can arrange payment plans for manageable monthly amounts to make training accessible and affordable.  To find out more\, please e-mail Liz McDonald at liz.mcdonald@bsagroup.org.uk \n\nStudy Days for this module are: \n\nStudy Day 1\, March 25\, 2027\nStudy Day 2\, April 22\, 2027\n\nAll study days will be online via Zoom. \nTO BEGIN THIS COURSE IN MARCH CLICK HERE \nTimings for each study day: 10:00am – 15:30pm GMT \nSessions will include: \n\nSkills audit and evaluation\nImposter syndrome\, Guest Speaker Angela Cox\nDestructive behaviour\, patterns and habits\, Guest Speaker Angela Cox\nChanging role\, adapting and embracing change\nResponding to challenge – Guest Speaker\nMentoring\nGroups tasks\, case studies and discussion\n\nLearning outcomes: \n\nGain insight into strengths and areas for development.\nSelf-awareness.\nConfidence.\nEmpowerment.\nCareer satisfaction.\nCareer progression.\n\n\nSpeaker: \nAngela Cox\, Qualified Mentor& Accredited Master Coach\, Creator\, The Paseda360 Method \nAngela Cox is on a mission to help professionals escape pretending\, people pleasing and perfectionism and be brilliant by being themselves. \nAngela is a multi-award-winning executive coach\, 2 x best-selling author\, podcast host and founder of Paseda360\, a revolutionary coaching method and training academy. \nAfter a career in senior and executive transformation and strategy roles in large corporations\, she left the rat race and set up her own coaching practice in 2018. \nAngela is an Association for Coaching Master Coach & Fellow with more than 5000 coaching hours under her belt. She holds an Executive Coaching Diploma from Cambridge University and PG Cert in the Psychology & Neuroscience of Mental Health.  She is an accredited psychotherapist\, NLP Master\, Clinical Hypnotherapist\, and an accredited Havening Techniques Practitioner. \nA proud empath\, Angela blends backbone with a huge amount of heart.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/career-coaching-and-mentoring/
LOCATION:Virtual – Zoom\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Accredited Training,Online
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20270421T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270421T150000
DTSTAMP:20261023T102637Z
CREATED:20260804T123652Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261023T102637Z
UID:78227-1808316000-1808319600@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Boarding Box Set - marketing considerations for boarding schools
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £90\n🎧 Deputy Head Pastoral\, Head of Boarding\, Senior Boarding Practitioners\n📍 Online\n🎥 Watch live or on catch up\n✅ Included in BSA CPD Pass\n\n\n\nCourse outline:\n\nBSA’s Boarding box set series is designed for boarding staff and school leaders giving them a broad overview of a range of key boarding-related topics. This series is ideal for staff moving into senior positions in boarding\, preparing for Deputy Headship and consolidating their understanding on the wider sector ‘headlines’.\n\nThis session will focus on the marketing and admissions functions within your boarding school. It will provide a strong introduction to the basics of marketing planning and strategy to enable you to drive boarding numbers within your school. Understanding the admissions journey for prospective families will help you scrutinise your processes and improve the customer journey\, increasing conversion rates and your school’s brand reputation.\n\nTraining topics will include:\n\n 	Marketing strategy and planning\n 	Marketing mix\n 	Lead-to-sale process\n 	Customer journey\n 	Getting the team right.\n\nLearning outcomes:\n\n 	An understanding of marketing planning and strategy\n 	Detail on how to make the marketing mix work for your school\n 	An overview of the customer journey and how to improve this\n 	Supporting your marketing and admissions team.\n\nBOOK NOW\n\n\n\nSpeaker:\n\n\n\nAileen Kane\, is Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer of Abitas Group\n\n \n\nAileen is Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer of Abitas Group\, with responsibility across group strategy\, finance\, governance\, people\, risk\, operations and commercial development. Working across the Group’s associations and businesses\, she leads the development and delivery of Group strategy alongside the CEO\, strengthening performance and identifying opportunities for sustainable growth.\n\n \n\nAileen has helped drive the Group’s growth and diversification\, leading acquisitions\, creating new associations and commercial ventures\, and co-founding BSA Legal Services\, a regulated immigration law firm serving the education sector. She also leads and supports the Group’s engagement with government\, regulators and key stakeholders\, contributing to policy across boarding\, safeguarding\, immigration and international education.\n\n \n\nAileen brings a strong commercial and strategic focus to the Group’s continued growth\, diversification and long-term development.\n\n\n\n\n\nOther titles in this series:\n\n\n\n1. Boarding box set – sector overview and market analysis\nNovember 02\, 2026\n\n\n2. Boarding box set – Safeguarding\nNovember 30\, 2026\n\n\n3. Boarding box set – Inclusion and belonging\nMarch 01\, 2027\n\n\n4. Boarding box set – understanding UKVI compliance\nMarch 05\, 2027\n\n\n5. Boarding Box Set: Building a Positive Staff Culture\nMarch 09\, 2027\n\n\n6. Boarding box set – Marketing considerations for boarding schools\nApril 21\, 2027\n\n\n7. Boarding box set – Preparing for a boarding inspection\nMay 24\, 2026\n\n\n8. Boarding box set – boarding house management\nJune 10\, 2027\n\n\n\n 
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/boarding-box-set-marketing-considerations-for-boarding-schools/
LOCATION:Online – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Online,Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20270427T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270428T123000
DTSTAMP:20261015T093211Z
CREATED:20260420T161742Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261015T093211Z
UID:74585-1808816400-1808915400@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Annual Conference for Heads 2027 - 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\nGuest speakers: \n \nMiranda Hart\, Actress and Writer \nMiranda is best known for creating\, writing and starring in hit BBC sitcom Miranda. Its enduring appeal led to the US adaptation Call Me Kat. The BAFTA-nominated actress is also known for roles in Call the Midwife\, The Vicar of Dibley and Not Going Out\, amongst others. Miranda is currently starring in the second series of BBC One’s The Celebrity Traitors. Miranda has written six books. Her latest was an instant number one Sunday Times bestseller. \n\n \nTom Holland\, Historian and Broadcaster \nTom is an award-winning historian\, author and broadcaster\, best known as co-host of the international hit podcast\, The Rest is History. He has written several books and presented for television and radio including his 2012 Channel 4 documentary Islam: The Untold Story and his 2017 documentary\, Isis: The Origins of Violence. He also presented Dinosaurs\, Myths and Monsters for BBC Four\, Making History for BBC Radio 4 and is a frequent contributor for In Our Time. \n\nJames Holland\, Broadcaster and Historian\, King’s Bruton alumnus \nThe author of several best-selling books including Battle of Britain\, Dam Busters\, and The War in the West\, James has also written nine works of historical fiction\, including the Jack Tanner novels\, and presented and written a large number of television programmes and series\, including Channel 4’s primetime Battle of Britain: Model Squadron and the BBC’s Battle of Britain: The Real Story. \n\nJohann Van Graan\, Head of Bath Rugby \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\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 is currently head of the Dragon School Oxford the largest day and boarding Prep School in the UK. She has always taught in boarding schools across the senior and prep sectors and has held senior roles shaping the development of boarding. She has also been an ISI inspector specialising in boarding. She sits on the Board of IAPS and is a governor of Wellington College and Gordonstoun. \n  \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\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
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20270512T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270512T153000
DTSTAMP:20260804T095404Z
CREATED:20250312T144713Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T095404Z
UID:59899-1810116000-1810135800@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Certificate in Professional Practice – Headship
DESCRIPTION:We offer a self-funding route for all courses.  We can arrange payment plans for manageable monthly amounts to make training accessible and affordable.  To find out more\, please e-mail Liz McDonald at  liz.mcdonald@bsagroup.org.uk \n\n\nCertificate in Professional Practice – Headship\nNew 26/27 course dates added! \nDates for this Module are: \n\nDay 1: May 12\, 2027\nDay 2: May 24\, 2027\nDay 3: June 23\, 2027\n\nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER \nTimings for each study day: 10:00am – 15:30pm BST \nAll study days will be held online via Zoom \nThe BSA Certificate in Boarding Headship is a new\, BSA-accredited certificate course for School Heads new to boarding or who would like to extend their knowledge of the sector. \nThis three-day course covers a broad range of topics including: \n\nInvesting in your boarding provision\nMarket trends\nGovernment policy regulatory changes round up\nIndependent Schools Council VAT challenge\nGuest Speaker: Simon Nathan Deputy\, Chief Executive & Head of Policy\, Independent Schools Council\nVisa & immigration sponsor licence compliance\nBuilding and leading your team\nRunning your school as a business\nGuest Speaker: Andrew Gordon-Brown\, Headmaster and Principal\, Kingswood School\, Bath\, UK\nSafeguarding\, and risk management\nInclusion strategy for Heads\nGuest Speaker: Naheed Bardai\, Principal of UWC Atlantic College\nWho does the Head turn to?\nGuest Speaker: Mary Breen\, Schools Adviser at Ferrer & Co\nHeads together : reflections on headship\nManaging boarding numbers\, including balancing full/part-time\, UK/international students\nEffective marketing and recruitment strategies\nWorking with guardians and agents\nMeeting inspection standards and much more\n\nOn completion delegates also get three complimentary video calls with a member of the BSA Group Leadership Team. \nThe BSA Certificate in Boarding Headship sits alongside BSA’s highly successful accredited certificate courses\, which include the BSA Advanced Certificate in Pastoral Care and Boarding Management and the BSA Diploma in Boarding Practice for Leadership. \n\nSpeakers on this certificate course are: \nRobin Fletcher\, Chief Executive \nRobin Fletcher\, MBA\, MPhil\, MTIOB\, joined Abitas Group in 2014 after holding senior media and communications roles. He is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts\, an Honorary Fellow of Cardiff Metropolitan University and a Corporate Board member of Make UK\, the manufacturers’ organisation. A former boarding school governor\, Robin is also an examiner for the National Council for the Training of Journalists and a member of the Reader Panel at Royal United Hospital\, Bath. In 2020\, Robin authored A Culture of Care – the benefits of boarding and future risks\, published by BSA Group. \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. \nKate Hollyer\, Director (Solicitor)\, BSA Legal  \nKate is Legal Director of BSA Group and Director of BSA Legal Services Ltd. As a qualified solicitor with more than 10 years’ experience advising clients on UK immigration law\, Kate assists members with all immigration and safeguarding legal matters. Prior to joining BSA in 2022 Kate was Partner and Head of Department at a leading full-service UK law firm. Having resided in state\, preparatory and senior school boarding houses since 2014 with her Housemaster husband\, Kate has a unique perspective of boarding life. \n \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 and has also developed a process of BSA Accreditation for our international 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\, which was updated in 2022. \n\nDates for this Module are: \n\nDay 1: May 12\, 2027\nDay 2: May 24\, 2027\nDay 3: June 23\, 2027\n\nAll study days will be held online via Zoom \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER \nNB: Please be aware that it is crucial to remain on your assigned course path and tutor group to gain the very best out of your training. Of course\, we understand some things are unavoidable however we cannot guarantee alternative placement days\, and this may incur an admin charge
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/certificate-in-professional-practice-headship-4/
LOCATION:Online – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Accredited Training,Online
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20270517T133000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270517T153000
DTSTAMP:20260806T100757Z
CREATED:20260707T134615Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260806T100757Z
UID:77344-1810560600-1810567800@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:The prefect paradox
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £175\n🎧Directors of Boarding\, Heads of Boarding\, Houseparents\, Assistant Houseparents\, Boarding Tutors\, Deputy Heads (Pastoral)\, Assistant Heads (Pastoral)\, Pastoral Leaders\, Character Education Leads and senior leaders responsible for prefect systems\, student leadership and safeguarding.\n📍 Online \n\nCourse outline: \nPrefect systems are one of the most influential leadership structures within boarding schools\, offering opportunities to strengthen house culture\, build community and develop future leaders. However\, the very qualities that make prefects effective—confidence\, influence and leadership presence—can also create risks if not supported by strong moral judgement and appropriate supervision. \nThis interactive seminar explores the concept of the Prefect Paradox: balancing delegated authority with safeguarding responsibilities to ensure prefect systems positively influence boarding communities. Delegates will examine how boarding schools can move beyond selecting either the “most popular” or the “safest” candidate by adopting a character-led approach to leadership development. \nDrawing on the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues’ framework\, the session introduces practical approaches to character education\, virtue literacy and the concept of practical wisdom (phronesis). Through facilitated discussion and collaborative activities\, delegates will reflect on current practice\, explore real-world scenarios and develop practical strategies to strengthen the recruitment\, training and ongoing support of prefects within their boarding houses. \nTraining topics will include: \n\nUnderstanding the Prefect Paradox and the challenges of delegated authority\nThe relationship between student leadership\, safeguarding and boarding culture\nCharacter education\, virtue literacy and the Building Blocks of Character\nDeveloping practical wisdom (phronesis) in student leaders\nInteractive discussions exploring leadership dilemmas and safeguarding considerations\nDesigning effective prefect selection processes that assess judgement as well as leadership potential\nPractical approaches to training\, mentoring and supervising prefects\n\nLearning outcomes: \nBy the end of this seminar\, delegates will: \n\nUnderstand the opportunities and risks associated with delegated authority in boarding settings.\nRecognise how character education can strengthen prefect systems and support positive boarding cultures.\nGain practical strategies for selecting\, training and supervising prefects more effectively.\nBe able to apply moral reasoning and practical wisdom frameworks when developing student leadership programmes.\nLeave with ideas to enhance safeguarding\, strengthen house ethos and develop confident\, responsible student leaders through well-supported prefect systems.\n\nBOOK NOW \n\nSpeaker: \nJames Baggaley\, Teacher of Geography\, Ellesmere College  \nJames brings over 25 years’ experience in independent education\, including 18 years as a Housemaster across two boarding schools. As lead teacher of IB Geography\, he is equally committed to the co-curricular side of school life\, coaching senior sports teams\, working with the CCF\, and helping facilitate Duke of Edinburgh expeditions at every level. Holding a master’s degree in Character Education from the University of Birmingham\, James is particularly interested in how schools can intentionally develop character in young people through boarding and co-curricular life\, examining how challenges and setbacks\, structured feedback and well-planned pupil responsibility help students flourish.
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/the-prefect-paradox/
LOCATION:Online – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Online,Seminar
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20270524T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270524T150000
DTSTAMP:20260813T110523Z
CREATED:20260407T142902Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T110523Z
UID:72454-1811167200-1811170800@www.boarding.org.uk
SUMMARY:Boarding Box Set - Preparing for a boarding inspection
DESCRIPTION:🏷️ From £90\n🎧 Heads\, deputy heads\, heads of boarding\n📍 Online\n🎥 Watch live or on catch up \n\nCourse outline: \nThis session is part of the BSA Boarding Box Set\, a comprehensive six-part series covering essential boarding topics. Ideal for those stepping into senior boarding roles or wanting to deepen their understanding of the sector. \nThe series is £650\, with recordings available for any sessions you are not able to attend live. Sessions can also be booked individually if preferred. \nThis session focuses on preparing for inspections under any UK or international framework. It covers core principles of auditing and assessing boarding provision\, helping delegates align their policies and practices with inspection requirements. \nLearning outcomes: \n\nEnhanced understanding of inspection processes\nImproved compliance with relevant policies and procedures\nSkills for recording and reporting inspection outcomes effectively.\n\nBOOK NOW \n\nSpeaker: \n  \n\nOther titles in this series: \n\n\n\n1. Boarding box set – sector overview and market analysis\nNovember 02\, 2026\n\n\n2. Boarding box set – Safeguarding\nNovember 30\, 2026\n\n\n3. Boarding box set – Inclusion and belonging\nMarch 01\, 2027\n\n\n4. Boarding box set – understanding UKVI compliance\nMarch 05\, 2027\n\n\n5. Boarding Box Set: Building a Positive Staff Culture\nMarch 09\, 2027\n\n\n6. Boarding box set – Marketing considerations for boarding schools\nApril 21\, 2027\n\n\n7. Boarding box set – Preparing for a boarding inspection\nMay 24\, 2026\n\n\n8. Boarding box set – boarding house management\nJune 10\, 2027
URL:https://www.boarding.org.uk/event/boarding-box-set-preparing-for-a-boarding-inspection/
LOCATION:Online – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Online,Webinar
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END:VCALENDAR