BSA/AGBIS – Better boarding provision: a seminar for Governors

• Date: February 01, 2024
• Time: 10:30 – 15:30
• Cost: BSA/AGBIS Full Member – £155, BSA Affiliate Member – £230, Non-member – £310
• Audience: All Governors, especially those with particular responsibility for Safeguarding and/or Boarding.
• Platform: Zoom (online) – Day Seminar

Course outline

This day seminar is aimed specifically at Governors with responsibility for boarding welfare, and safeguarding, but is also suitable for all Governors who need an in depth understanding around their responsibilities for safeguarding and meeting the needs of boarders at schools with boarding provision. This training day will provide a domestic and international context to the boarding sector and consider the latest challenges facing the boarding sector as a whole, as well as considering the day-to-day issues boarding staff are working through with the boarders in their care, and with their boarding facilities.

Attention will also be given to the role of the boarding and safeguarding Governor, with specific reference to the latest guidance, legislation and research. The responsibilities and duties of Governors are wide ranging, but a sound knowledge of the framework for policy, monitoring and scrutiny will enable effective and confident practice. Similarly, a clear understanding of procedures and policies used by schools will help if Governors are called upon to act in difficult situations.

Training topics will include:

• Sector overview including market strategy, recruitment, setting, standards and provision
• Overview of the latest headlines for the boarding sector
• Safeguarding duty
• Inspection updates to be aware of
• The role of Governor
• Good governance.

Learning outcomes:

• Increased awareness of the latest trends, issues and developments for the boarding sector
• Increased understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and the role of Governors
• Updated understanding of compliance with ISI, or other inspectorates as appropriate
• Increased understanding of what makes a good Governor and effective governance.

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Cheryl Connelly, Director of Training & Membership (Deputy CEO), AGBIS

Cheryl Connelly was educated at Northumbria University where she completed a honours degree in Business Management. Having spent five years in the Civil Service, Cheryl moved to the Training and Enterprise Council where she advised public and private businesses on best practice and developed and delivered workshops to equip their own staff with the necessary skills to deliver continuous improvement. During this time Cheryl also completed her post graduate diploma in Personnel and Development. Cheryl then became an inspector with the Audit Commission where she led corporate compliance inspections at County and District councils, Police authorities and Fire authorities across the UK. After a decade at the Audit Commission, Cheryl moved into the Education sector as a Business Manager and Clerk to the Governors, spending six years in the maintained sector before spending the last three years in the independent sector. During this time, Cheryl also completed her MSc in Business Education Management. Cheryl has also served for over 20 years as a school governor, including as Chair of Governors and Chair of Finance and Resources.

Dale Wilkins, Senior Director, BSA and BSA Group

Dale joined the BSA during Summer 2017 with responsibility for safeguarding and standards, having previously been a course tutor since 1998. 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. He also liaises with ISI, Ofsted and DfE on matters relating to compliance and inspection standards, and compiles the BSA Self-Assessment toolkit, which he first produced in 2002, since which time he has been closely involved in inspection in state and independent boarding.

For 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.