f

although most schools have separate reports for their boarding and education provision and these can sometimes be difficult to navigate.

Common to both inspectorates are the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools, which are published by Department for Education (DfE) and were last updated in 2022. Part A of the new 2022 standards focuses on governance, leadership and management, with the aim that ‘the leadership, management and governance of the school enables a culture to thrive which is child-centred, safeguards children’s wellbeing and is ambitious for the progress of every child. Monitoring and accountability is strong and adds value’. Further sections of the standards highlight boarding provision; health and wellbeing; safeguarding; health and safety; boarders rights, advocacy and complaints; promoting positive behaviour and relationships; activities and free time; staff recruitment and checks on other adults; and lodgings and host families. The other key document is Keeping Children Safe in Education, which is also published by DfE. This is updated every September and applies to all schools.

If a school is found to be non-compliant, DfE may direct the inspectorates to conduct additional or progress monitoring inspections. The school may also be required to produce an action plan showing how the shortfalls identified will be rectified.

Scotland

In Scotland, Education Scotland inspects all education provision. The Care Inspectorate inspects boarding, using both the Health and Social Care Standards and its own quality framework. Schools are assessed against a six-point scale for quality of care and support; quality of environment; quality of staffing; and quality of management and leadership. Schools are also required to follow other guidance, such as the National Guidance on Child Protection

Wales

Independent and state schools in Wales have their education provision inspected by Estyn, the education and training inspectorate. Boarding schools in Wales have additional residential inspections from Care Inspectorate Wales, who use the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools (Wales) as a baseline. At the time of writing, these standards are being reviewed and may change. Reports comment on wellbeing, care and support, leadership and management and the school environment.

Northern Ireland

There are very few boarding schools in Northern Ireland, and these receive visits from the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA). RQIA evaluates the degree to which care at the school is safe, effective, compassionate and well led.

Isle Of Man

The Isle of Man also has a separate set of boarding standards.

Outside The Uk

BSA has its own set of voluntary accreditation standards for boarding schools outside the UK to use.

Supporting Boarding Schools

In terms of supporting schools, BSA liaises closely with the relevant government department and with the inspectorates. BSA Group also provides targeted training and bespoke consultancy across the whole range of quality and compliance issues which boarding schools face. This includes an extensive range of webinars, day seminars and conferences, both face-to face and virtual, with the majority now online. We have extended our reach to over 1500 settings in 39 countries. At the programme’s core is the ground-breaking series of certificate and diploma courses, which have been at the heart of best practice in the sector for 25 years, and central to the Group’s mission to support excellence in boarding, safeguarding, inclusion and health education.

Dale Wilkins became a boarding tutor at Norwich School in 1987, shortly after taking up a post there as a language teacher. From 1990 to 1992, he and his wife ran a junior girls’ boarding house at Tettenhall College, before moving to Old Swinford Hospital, a state boarding school where Dale was Housemaster of both senior and junior boys’ houses, Director of Boarding, Deputy Head and Designated Safeguarding Lead. From 1998 he was also involved with BSA as a course tutor and in 2002 he was among the first group of boarding inspectors trained to inspect against the then new NMS. Since 2017 he has worked full-time for BSA, originally as Head of Safeguarding and Standards and now, as Senior Director. Dale lives in Stourbridge in the West Midlands, close to his former school. Dale is also a Deputy District Commissioner for the Scout Association, Chair of Youth Services for the Rotary Club of Stourbridge, and Chair of the Friends of Dudley Performing Arts, the music, art and drama service for schools in Dudley Borough. He enjoys travel and is a former sports coach and referee, who still plays cricket occasionally.