BSA Supporting Excellence Awards

This award was introduced last year in memory of former Epsom College Head, Emma Pattison, and recognises an individual who consistently embodies compassion and kindness within their leadership role. The award exemplifies a person who fosters trust, contributes to team morale and makes a meaningful and positive impact on those around them.

Nominees for this award must hold or have held positions within specific boarding responsibilities, which could include a Head, Deputy Head (pastoral), Housemaster, Housemistress, Houseparent, Matron etc. Nominees can be drawn from any level in an organisation.

Entry requirements: please submit up to 500 words (max). Examples and evidence can be given via supporting attachments if required.

How environmentally aware is your school? This award recognises the efforts made by boarding schools to make a meaningful and positive environmental impact both in school and within the local community.

Judges will be looking for evidence of sustainable initiatives undertaken collectively by boarders and staff and examples of how environmental matters are brought into the curriculum.

Entry requirements: please submit up to 500 words (max). Please include examples and give evidence where needed using supporting attachments.

In 2019, BSA launched its ‘On Board’ Community Action Programme to highlight the work undertaken in the community by boarding schools. This award will look at those schools who have participated in community projects. Judges will be looking at community-based initiatives undertaken by schools which could include volunteering, litter picking, fundraising, visiting the elderly, supporting the disabled, environmental planning.

Entry requirements: please submit up to 500 words (max). Please include examples and give evidence where needed using supporting attachments.

This award acknowledges the work that schools have put in to providing pupils with an exceptional place to live, study and play. Focus is given to design, sustainability, and innovation of boarding houses and boarding facilities.

Entry requirements: please submit up to 500 words (max). Please include examples and give evidence where needed using supporting attachments.

This award celebrates an outstanding example of innovation to deliver better boarding provision. The judges will be looking for a clear description of an outstanding innovation that you have implemented in your school.

Entry requirements: please submit up to 500 words (max). Examples and evidence can be given via supporting attachments if required.

Formerly the INDEX Initiative Award, this category recognises the best initiative aimed at increasing equity, diversity and inclusion within our member schools. The judges will be looking for evidence of the initiative’s impact through information and data you can supply which demonstrate its success. Belonging and Inclusion are fundamental in creating thriving and safe school communities. The initiative needs to contribute to an environment where diversity is celebrated, not merely acknowledged. The winning school will be one where all pupils, regardless of background, disability or neurodivergence are seen, heard and valued.

Entry requirements: please submit up to 500 words (max). Examples and evidence can be given via supporting attachments if required.

This award recognises a boarding school outside the UK which delivers excellence in boarding. The judges will be looking for a clear description detailing how the boarding environment supports boarders’ welfare, giving a specific example(s) where possible. This award is also open to international schools based in the UK.

Entry requirements: please submit up to 500 words (max). Examples and evidence can be given via supporting attachments if required.

This award commends the achievements of an individual who has made a significant contribution to the cause of boarding. This is the longest running BSA Award and is dedicated to the memory of Stephen Winkley who was BSA Chair (2003), and Headmaster of Uppingham (1991-2006) and Rossall Schools (2008-2013).

All nominees must hold or have held positions with specific boarding responsibilities, which could include a Head, Deputy Head (pastoral), Housemaster, Housemistress, Houseparent, Matron etc. Nominees can be drawn from any level in an organisation, including Heads.

Entry requirements: please submit up to 500 words (max). Examples and evidence can be given via supporting attachments if required.

This award will commend a school or member of staff who has contributed significantly to supporting international boarders, including helping them integrate into their new environment. The judges will be looking at initiatives that have been specifically designed to support international boarders.

This award is open to all members worldwide.

Entry requirements: please submit up to 500 words (max). Examples and evidence can be given via supporting attachments if required.

This award recognises an agent or guardian who has gone above and beyond to support international boarders. The judges will be looking for evidence and examples which demonstrate excellent standards in supporting international students during or after student placement.

This award is open to all educational agents and guardians worldwide who are members of the BSA Certified Agent and/or Guardian Scheme.

Entry requirements: please submit up to 500 words (max). Examples and evidence can be given via supporting attachments if required.

This award commends a school or member of staff who has worked above and beyond to develop initiatives aimed at supporting junior boarders. The judges will be looking at those initiatives that have been introduced specifically to help junior boarders adjust to their new environment.

Entry requirements: please submit up to 500 words (max). Examples and evidence can be given via supporting attachments if required.

This award celebrates schools that have embedded robust mental health initiatives which provide supportive environments and programmes that enhance self-esteem, strengthen the school community, and promote healthy choices. The judges will be looking for a new initiative implemented in schools which could include creating supportive environments, strengthening the community within schools, programmes of work that enhance self-esteem and reduce harming behaviours, activities that promote healthy choices for physical activity and diet.

Entry requirements: please submit up to 500 words (max). Examples and evidence can be given via supporting attachments if required.

This very special award recognises the best photography portfolio by a boarding pupil. The Khadija Saye Photography Award is named in honour of the former Rugby School boarding pupil and respected international photographer, who tragically died in the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.

For this award, a portfolio of no less than three and no more than six original and unedited photographs can be submitted for entry, with full details of each picture, where when and why they were taken, and technical information.

Entry requirements: please ensure files are sent to bsa@boarding.org.uk via WeTransfer. The pictures must be submitted alongside the name of the school, photographer, year group and a short description for each image (as detailed above).

This award will recognise the best artwork project carried out by a boarding pupil as part of their studies. The judges will be looking for any types of artwork which display outstanding levels of artistic flair and imagination. Please send through an electronic copy of the artwork, along with a description and details of the original brief the piece was required to meet.

Entry requirements: please ensure files are sent to bsa@boarding.org.uk via WeTransfer. The artwork must be submitted alongside the name of the school, artist name, year group and a description (as detailed above). This award is for current students only please. 

Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 BSA Supporting Excellence Awards:

Best Community Work via BSA ‘On Board’ Initiative Award (sponsored by Chartwells)

• WINNER: Wellington College
• Highly commended: ACS International School, Cobham and Sedbergh School

Boarding House Extension or Refurbishment Award (sponsored by Schoolblazer)

• WINNER: Aiglon College, Switzerland
• Highly commended: Bromsgrove International School, Thailand and Shebbear College

Boarding Innovation Award (sponsored by Schoolblazer)

• WINNER: Strathallan School
• St George’s International School, Switzerland and St Mary’s Cambridge

Stephen Winkley Award (sponsored by Chartwells)

• WINNER: Tom Murray, Port Regis
• Highly commended: Kate Scott, Chetham’s School of Music

Supporting International Boarders Award (sponsored by Schoolblazer)

• WINNER: Sedbergh School
• Highly commended: Academic Families and St Peter’s International School, Portugal

Supporting Junior Boarders Award (sponsored by Chartwells)

• WINNER: Repton Prep School
• Highly commended: Cottesmore School and Junior King’s School, Canterbury

Wellbeing & Mental Health Initiative Award (sponsored by Chartwells)

• WINNER: Canford School
• Highly commended: DLD College, London, Haileybury and Woodstock School, India

Best Artwork Project Award (sponsored by Shelleys)

• WINNER: Mwangi Mungai, Malvern College
• Highly commended: Sofi Fateh, Aiglon College, Switzerland, Anastasiia Tian, Badminton School, Henry Yang, Dulwich College and Ayse Naz, Repton School

Khadija Saye Photography Award (named in honour of the former Rugby School boarding pupil and respected international photographer, who tragically died in the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017):

• WINNER: Sophie Watson, Gordonstoun School
• Highly commended: Jennifer Mobbs, Gordonstoun School and Ella Martin, King’s Ely

Boarding Research Award (sponsored by Chartwells and presented by the BSA Foundation)

• WINNER: St Leonards, St Andrews, Fife

INDEX (Inclusion and Diversity Excellence) Initiative Award (sponsored by Chartwells)

• WINNER: Gordonstoun School

International School of the Year Award (sponsored by iDAT)

• WINNER: Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar, Malaysia

Most Original Activity During National Boarding Week Award (sponsored by Schoolblazer)

• WINNER: Denstone College

Working with Vulnerable Children Award (sponsored by Schoolblazer)

• WINNER: Bede’s School

A massive congratulations to our 2024 BSA Supporting Excellence Award winners:

Best Community Work via BSA ‘On Board’ Initiative Award (sponsored by Schoolblazer)

WINNER: St Leonards

HIGHLY COMMENDED: New Hall School and Wellington School

Boarding House Extension or Refurbishment Award (sponsored by Witley Jones)

WINNER: Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Jerudong International School and Mount Kelly

Boarding Innovation Award (sponsored by Schoolblazer)

WINNER: Port Regis

HIGHLY COMMENDED: St Mary’s Cambridge and St Swithun’s School

*NEW* Sustainability in Boarding Award (sponsored by Schoolblazer)

WINNER: Sherborne Girls

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Clifton College and Strathallan School

Wellbeing & Mental Health Initiative Award (sponsored by Schoolblazer)

WINNER: Trent College

HIGHLY COMMENDED:  Queen Anne’s and Slindon College

Supporting Junior Boarders Award (sponsored by Schoolblazer)

WINNER: Godstowe Prep School

HIGHLY COMMENDED:  Lockers Park Prep School and The International School Bangalore (TISB)

Supporting International Boarders Award (sponsored by Password)

WINNER: Wycombe Abbey School, Changzhou

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Abbey College, Cambridge

*NEW* Supporting International Boarders Award – Guardians and Agents (sponsored by Password)

WINNER: The Guardian Family Network LTD

HIGHLY COMMENDED:  PJL Guardians and One School

International School of the Year Award (sponsored by i-DAT)

WINNER: The International School, Bangalore (TISB)

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Amadeus International School, Vienna

Belonging and Inclusion Initiative Award (sponsored by Schoolblazer)

WINNER:  Perrott Hill

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Millfield School and Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate

Best New Artwork Project (sponsored by Shelleys the Printers)

WINNER: Gordonstoun (Ruby Mitcham, Year 11)

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Royal Hospital School (Niece Year 12 and Ovie Year 11) and Heathfield School (Ella)

Khadija Saye Photography Award (sponsored by Schoolblazer)

WINNER: Malvern College

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Wellington School

*NEW* Emma Pattison Award for Compassionate Leadership (sponsored by Schoolblazer)

WINNER: Portia Putatunda, Planet Spiti Boarding School, Himalayas

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Charlotte Avery, St Mary’s School, Cambridge and Dr Caroline Pascoe, The International School, Bangalore (TISB)