Annual Conference for Heads – Boarding perspectives: Learning within, leading beyond

Well thought out sessions. Relevant and current. A great opportunity to meet with like-minded people.

• Date: May 06-07, 2025
• Time: 09:00 – 17:00
• Audience: Heads
• Cost: Included in 2024/25 membership for UK full members; £750 for international full members; £1,125 for affiliates and day schools; £1,500 for non-members
• Venue: York Racecourse, Knavesmire Road, YO23 1EX
• Accommodation: Discounted rooms available via Roomex

We’re looking forward to welcoming Heads from our member schools to our Annual Conference for Heads on May 06-07, 2025.

This year, all UK full member schools receive one delegate place; an RSVP is essential to confirm your booking.

Our two-day conference will bring together heads to learn, share and debate all things boarding, including the latest challenges and opportunities for leaders.

Chaired by Dr Chris Pyle, Head, Lancaster Royal Grammar, the theme is ‘Boarding perspectives: Learning within, leading beyond’. Topics will include global trends in boarding, managing stress and anxiety, and the future of leadership. Full programme details will be announced shortly.

The event also includes the BSA Annual Awards and Conference Dinner, which will take place on May 06, 2025 following a drinks reception with musical entertainment from St Peter’s York.

A brilliant conference.

RSVP NOW

Delegates can book overnight accommodation using the online booking platform, Roomex. Click here to login and secure your room using your school email address.

Jane Gandee, Head, St Swithun’s School

Jane began her teaching career in 1993 having dabbled briefly in accountancy after a degree in French and Spanish at Girton College, Cambridge. She taught languages at Lord Wandsworth College and Oakham School before becoming head of Spanish and then head of languages at Queenswood School. In 2005, she became director of studies at City of London School for Girls and she took up her current post in 2010. Jane is a keen sportswoman, having represented Cambridge at athletics and cross country and captained the university women’s football team. She still runs competitively when time allows and particularly enjoys running with colleagues at BSA conferences.

Kate Hollyer, Executive Director, Legal & Public Affairs & Partner, BSA Group

Kate is Legal and Public Affairs Director of BSA Group and Director of BSA Legal Services Ltd. As a qualified solicitor with more than 10 years’ experience advising clients on UK immigration law, Kate assists members with all immigration and safeguarding legal matters. Prior to joining BSA in 2022 Kate was Partner and Head of Department at a leading full-service UK law firm. Having resided in state, preparatory and senior school boarding houses since 2014 with her Housemaster husband, Kate has a unique perspective of boarding life.

Bethan Hudson, Executive Director Specialist Services and Director, BAISIS, BAISIS

Bethan joined the BSA team as Training Manager in September 2017. Bethan has worked in two independent boarding schools in the UK and Switzerland, the latter as Housemistress to 36 pupils. Following her time in Switzerland, she was a Pastoral Manager for an inner-city state academy before working in the charity sector for Debrett’s running the ‘Debrett’s Foundation’ training programme.

In her role, Bethan plans and manages all Day Seminars, Conferences, INSET and Consultancy, as well as being Director of BAISIS. She believes boarding can be a positive force for young people and in order to fully support their needs staff can never learn too much. As such she is passionate about the CPD BSA delivers to our pastoral communities in the UK and worldwide.

Gareth Jones, Head, Bilton Grange Prep 

Gareth has worked in prep boarding schools for over 25 years, leading two over the last 10 years. Formerly a Housemaster and Director of Sport at the Dragon School, Oxford, he then became Head of St Andrew’s Prep, Eastbourne before taking up his current role as Head of Bilton Grange Prep, part of the Rugby School Group, in September 2021. Gareth sits on the IAPS Pastoral Committee, having also sat on their Sports Committee previously, and has experience of governance in both the independent and state sectors.

Mark Lauder, Head, Strathallan School

Mark began his teaching career at Shiplake College in Henley-on-Thames, where he was Head of the History Department, Resident Tutor and Master I/C of Rowing. He then headed to Oxford in 1999, to become Head of History at St Edward’s School, as well as a Housemaster. While there, he continued with his rugby refereeing, coaching U16s rugby and U15s rowing, and ran the naval section of the CCF. In 2007, Mark was appointed Deputy Headmaster and Head of Boarding at Felsted School, where he maintained his coaching and teaching roles. It was from there, in 2010, that he headed north, to take on the role of Headmaster at Ashville College in Harrogate. In 2017, Mark moved to Strathallan School.

Geoff Marsh, Head of Frensham, Frensham Schools

Geoff has been Head of Frensham Schools for the past two years (coed P-6, girls’ boarding and day 7-12). Prior to this he was Principal of the Riverina Anglican College in Wagga Wagga (coed K-12). Before going to Wagga Geoff was Deputy Head of Frensham Schools for 17 years. Geoff had a brief interlude helping run the Sydney 2000 Olympics for three years. Prior to this he worked as a physics and chemistry teacher at Chevalier College in Bowral for six years where he also worked in boys’ boarding.

Alice Philips, Head, St Catherine’s, Bramley

Alice Phillips was educated at Kendal High School for Girls and went on to read English at Newnham College, Cambridge. After ten years as an English teacher, and then Head of English at the Royal Masonic School, Rickmansworth, she moved on to Deputy Headship at Tormead School, Guildford in 1993 and has been Headmistress of St Catherine’s, Bramley, an independent school for girls aged 4-18, near Guildford, since 2000.

Dr Chris Pyle, Head, Lancaster Royal Grammar School and Conference Chair 2025

Guy Schady-Beckett, Director & Head of Research, Next Step Education

Dr Heather Tracy, Executive Director & Co-Founder, New Summit Academy and The Bridge – Costa Rica

Heather studied at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, earning a Master of Education in Human Development & Psychology. In 2014, Heather completed her Doctorate in K-12 Leadership with a dissertation about the importance of academic enablers for at-risk adolescents to build resilience and learn and live more effectively and efficiently. Previously, Heather researched Math and English support programmes for the MCAS in Boston Public Schools, taught English as a Second Language to teenagers and adults, taught college reading and writing courses, and served one year as a volunteer English teacher in the Costa Rican public school system. Being a part of the founding team of New Summit Academy in 2004 has been the highlight of her career, and she feels blessed to be able to be a part of the team creating innovative, holistic, and quality education for unique young men. Heather co-authored Supportive Immersion theory (2016) and articulated PROPS skills as the 21st century skill set needed to thrive in today’s world.

David Walker, Executive Director, Boarding and Director BSA/TIOB

David is the Executive Director, Boarding and Director BSA/TIOB  and joined the BSA group in August 2023. He has over 20 years’ experience in boarding schools and has worked in a range of schools in the UK and Africa, alongside being a prep school governor and a trustee of a MAT. Before taking up his post at the BSA, David was Deputy Head Pastoral at a large co-ed independent school in the South-East.

Dale Wilkins, Executive Director, Scotland/Wales and Accredited/Compliance, BSA Group

Dale joined the BSA in 2017 with responsibility for safeguarding and standards, having previously been a course tutor since 1998. In 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 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.

Exhibiting and sponsorship: We are delighted to be able to offer sponsorship and exhibition opportunities at this event. For full details please reach out to Neil Rust, Head of Commercial neil.rust@bsagroup.org.uk or Laura Brain, Senior Commercial Consultant, laura.brain@bsagroup.org.uk or call on +44 (0)207 798 1580.

Thank you for your incredible hard work and dedication to the conference. I had the best time ever!