2 minute read
FROM THE CHAIR
Bex Tear
BSA Group Chair 2021 Head, Badminton School A boarding school is the sum of many parts; each and every role working together symbiotically to make a perfect whole. However, all too often it is just the roles that are ‘front of house’ that are associated with creating the beacon of excellence which give parents the confidence to choose our schools. Behind the scenes so many people are involved in ensuring that the care provided is the world standard we aspire to; a case in point are the nurses and medical staff working in our boarding schools.
When we think of schools, teachers are often the first people who come to mind, although for boarders it may just as well be an inspirational and supportive housemaster or housemistress. A kindly matron may be a later thought, but I am sure nurses and medical staff are frustratingly further down the list.
The vital role played however by school nurses, medical staff and
counsellors could not have been more starkly illustrated by the events of the past year when their contribution in keeping schools functioning and young people and adults safe was as important as Florence nightingale with her lamp during the Crimean War over 150 years ago.
That’s why I am delighted that BSA Group has launched a new association catering solely for this group, called the Health in Education Association, or Hieda. Just over two years ago, BSA Group launched its first ever separate association Sacpa (Safeguarding and Child Protection Association) to support those who work in the safeguarding field. This has already proved a great success with more than 200 members already in over 20 countries and delivering a wide range of courses and other resources.
The aim of Hieda is to do the same, giving nurses, medical staff, counsellors and related stakeholders the chance to have their own support network, whether they work at a school, college, university or other health education settings in the UK and overseas.
In a school, there is no point having smart classrooms if there are no fit teachers to teach and no well students to listen to them. And having the finest, shiniest theatre or swimming pool is not worth the huge sums they often cost to build if there are no directors, actors, coaches or swimmers to use them. nurses, medical staff and counsellors are the oil in the engine of all good boarding schools and things soon break down without their enormous hard work and expertise. Hieda will I am sure play an important role in providing much-needed support for them and I look forward to BSA schools and their staff joining it.
More information about Hieda can be found on page 18 or via the Hieda website:
