BSA Certified Agent and Guardian schemes

Caroline Nixon, International and Membership Director, Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) and Director, British Association of Independent Schools with International Students, and Ammy Davies-Potter, Director of Guardianship and Inclusion, BSA

The BSA Certified Agent and Guardian schemes were launched just over a year ago. So far 47 agents and 41 guardians have signed up to the schemes, with more joining all the time. The training and certification programmes for the schemes provide reassurance to families. Parents can be assured they are dealing with educational agents and guardians with the highest standards in terms of safeguarding, safer recruitment and training of staff and host families, knowledge of the UK education system and careful liaison with schools. The schemes also provide a clear demonstration to BSA boarding schools of the quality and intention of the educational agents and guardians who reach certified status.

Finding a suitable educational agent can be a time-consuming process for parents, but it is an absolutely vital one. Even when parents have a good knowledge of the UK education system, this may not be up to date and it is almost impossible for parents to have an informed overview of all the different schools available when trying to choose the one most suitable for their individual child. The BSA’s recent survey of Chinese parents showed that agents have a major influence when it comes to choosing a boarding school, with 74 per cent relying on an agent’s recommendation. So it is important to be sure an agent has integrity and knowledge of the school and family and this is what the scheme aims to do. The BSA Certified Agent scheme is essentially doing parents’ due diligence, ensuring agents in the scheme demonstrate a clear and current understanding of the UK education system and the different types of schools, getting to know the child’s and the family’s needs, recommending schools that are right for individual children, and maintaining the highest standards of integrity in placing and supporting each child.

In terms of guardians, the survey of Chinese parents showed that 82 per cent highlighted the importance of having assurance around a guardian’s certification – and this is what the BSA Certified Guardian scheme provides. Similar to the criteria agents are required to meet, guardians must demonstrate the highest standards in terms of their interaction with schools, parents and pupils, showing they meet strict assurance requirements for all aspects of safeguarding.

For international pupils, an educational guardian who can provide high quality support and guidance is invaluable. Pupils are much more likely to reach their full potential if they feel emotionally and physically safe and there is good communication and relationships between them and the adults looking after them. This is a vital aspect of a successful school experience.

Parents can choose a BSA Certified Guardian with confidence, secure in the knowledge that the guardian has met the high standards required through a rigorous inspection process. Knowing the guardian is committed to providing a high-quality service can really make a difference to their child’s school journey.

For more information about the BSA Certified Agent scheme and a full list of Certified Agents, go to: https://www.

boarding.org.uk/bsa-initiatives/bsa-

certified-agent-scheme/ There is also a list of Certified Agents in this Guide.

For more information about the BSA Certified Guardian scheme and a full list of Certified Guardians, go to: https://

www.boarding.org.uk/bsa-initiatives/

bsa-certified-guardian-scheme/ There is also a list of Certified Guardians in this Guide.

Caroline Nixon is International Director at the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) and Director of the British Association of Independent Schools with International Students. She is also a member of the advisory group to the UK Government’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Students. Caroline has worked in international education for 30 years. As a consultant at Caroline Nixon Education, she has helped UK schools to establish new overseas branches, advised an international school opening in the UK, assisted an educational group setting up a guardianship agency, and advised schools on academic and pastoral provision for their international pupils as well as helped many schools with their international marketing and recruitment.

Ammy Davies-Potter is Director of Guardianship and Inclusion at the BSA. She works across the BSA Group, with a focus on the BSA Certified Guardian scheme. Other areas of focus include equity, diversity and inclusion within the BSA Group, providing training, support and advice for members and working with other organisations. Ammy qualified as a teacher in 1991, initially teaching at Bromsgrove School and then at St John’s College School, Cambridge before moving in 1995 to become a Housemistress at Westonbirt School. In 2010 she joined St Mary’s Calne, initially as a Housemistress and subsequently as Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Head (Pastoral). Ammy is completing an MA in Inclusive Education. She also volunteers as an independent listener for a school and as an independent visitor for a child in care.