The Inaugural BSA West Midlands Boarding Forum: A Resounding Success
The first-ever West Midlands Boarding Forum was a great success, bringing together over twenty schools from diverse backgrounds, including both prep and senior institutions, independent and state-run. Hosted at Adams House, the boarding house of Thomas Adams School in Wem, Shropshire, the event gathered boarding school leaders, house parents, and support staff, all sharing a common goal: to enhance the boarding experience and exchange best practices, especially in light of the significant changes boarding education has faced in recent years.
Lee Irwin, Director of Boarding at Adams House and the Forum Coordinator, noted, “In a post-pandemic world where virtual meetings have become the norm, the value of face-to-face networking was a key theme that resonated with everyone present. The morning was filled with meaningful discussions, valuable insights, and a collective sense of purpose. It quickly became clear that this event would not be a one-time occurrence. I already have plans in place for the forum to meet three times a year.”
A Diverse Range of Schools and Attendees
One of the forum’s standout features was the diversity of the schools in attendance. Schools from both the independent and state sectors were represented, highlighting that the challenges and opportunities in boarding schools are shared across all types of institutions. Whether large or small, urban or rural, boarding schools face similar issues, such as recruitment, staff wellbeing, pastoral care, and student mental health. The inclusion of both prep and senior schools, independent and state, further demonstrated the forum’s broad appeal.
The Importance of Face-to-Face Networking Post-COVID
Despite advancements in online communication, the forum underscored the irreplaceable value of in-person networking. Mark Cooper, Headteacher at Thomas Adams School and an advocate of boarding, who also delivered the opening speech, “There’s only so much you can achieve over a screen. It’s the informal chats between sessions, the shared laughter, and the spontaneous discussions that spark new ideas.”
Keynote Speakers: Dale Wilkins and Sarah Butterworth
Two distinguished keynote speakers brought valuable insights to the event: Dale Wilkins from the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) and Sarah Butterworth from the Royal National SpringBoard Foundation.
Dale Wilkins: Shaping the Future of Boarding
Drawing from his extensive experience with the BSA, Wilkins discussed the evolving landscape of boarding schools in a post-pandemic world. He touched on challenges such as staff recruitment, the growing focus on student mental health, and the increasing importance of well-being initiatives for both students and staff. He also emphasised the need for collaboration within the boarding community, encouraging schools to share their knowledge, experiences, and successes.
Sarah Butterworth: The Transformative Power of Boarding for Disadvantaged Children
Sarah Butterworth’s presentation was one of the day’s most inspiring moments. Representing the Royal National SpringBoard Foundation, she spoke passionately about the life-changing impact that boarding schools can have on disadvantaged children. Her charity provides boarding school placements for children from challenging backgrounds, offering them not only education but also a stable, supportive environment that can dramatically change the course of their lives.
Key Takeaways from the Forum
The forum was more than just a platform for discussion; it was a call to action. Several key issues were raised, laying the foundation for future meetings:
- Staff Wellbeing: There was strong recognition that staff well-being is directly linked to the quality of care students receive. The forum will look at how schools are placing greater emphasis on supporting their boarding staff.
- Student Mental Health: Mental health remains a top priority, particularly in the digital age. Attendees will discuss the need for enhanced mental health training for staff, as well as the impact of social media and mobile phone use among students.
- Inspections and Peer Support: The forum will explore the value of collaborating on inspection readiness, with Thomas Adams School, Haberdashers’ Adams School, and The Royal School already forming an inspection triad to ensure best practices are shared. The forum will look at how it can roll out this model.
- Staff Recruitment: Recruitment challenges persist, particularly in boarding roles that require both pastoral care and educational expertise.
- Flexible Boarding Models: The rise of flexi-boarding and weekly boarding reflects the changing needs of modern families, prompting schools to adapt while still fostering a sense of community.
- Mapping Soft Skills: A challenge for many schools is measuring the development of soft skills like resilience, leadership, and emotional intelligence. Attendees explored ways to better track and highlight the ‘value added’ by boarding education.
Looking Ahead: The Future of the West Midlands Boarding Forum
The success of this inaugural forum has set the stage for it to become a regular fixture in the West Midlands boarding school calendar. With plans to meet three times a year, the forum will provide ongoing opportunities for schools to collaborate and address the key issues facing boarding schools today.
The next meeting will be hosted by Haberdashers’ Adams in the Spring (Lent) Term. Future agendas will continue to focus on the key themes raised during this initial gathering, with the flexibility to address new challenges as they arise.
For those interested in joining the West Midlands Boarding Forum, please contact Lee Irwin at lee.irwin@tas.318education.co.uk
Lee Irwin – Director of Boarding, Adams House
Adams House at Thomas Adams School host the first-ever West Midlands Boarding Forum