Accredited Training

We offer a self-funding route for all courses.  We can arrange payment plans for manageable monthly amounts to make training accessible and affordable.  To find out more, please e-mail Liz McDonald at liz.mcdonald@bsagroup.org.uk

BSA Certificate in Professional Practice – Inclusion Lead Training

Study Days for the Summer Module are:

• May 13 2026
• May 2 2026
• June 8 2026

Timings: 1000 – 1600/15 BST

TO BEGIN YOUR QUALIFICATION IN MAY 2026 CLICK HERE

Why should you attend?

This bespoke, comprehensive three-day certificate course has been put together to support Inclusion Leads or staff with specific responsibility for equity, diversity and inclusion in boarding schools.

Participants will receive high-quality training and support from a range of experts to further develop the skills and confidence needed to establish, embed and sustain equity, diversity and inclusion work in their school. Throughout the three days there will be opportunities to meet, collaborate and discuss with other participants and to learn from case studies and good practice from other schools.

Content:

The course will bring together leaders from a wide range of backgrounds who will share knowledge and experiences to both support you with this important work and to challenge your thinking to enable professional growth.

Over the three days we will explore the ‘why’ of this work including areas such as identity, belonging, use of language, empowerment and intersectionality. Legal and inspection requirements will be unpacked, and auditing and action planning discussed. The importance and power of courageous and compassionate leadership in creating sustained change will be fully explored and through interactive sessions which will include an exploration of coaching as a tool, you will develop practical techniques to help support the important conversations needed for your work in this area.

COURSE OVERVIEW

Below is a preview of some of the exceptional speakers and key topics that will be covered throughout the course. You will have the opportunity to engage with leaders from diverse backgrounds who bring extensive knowledge and experience in equity, diversity, and inclusion. These experts will guide you through essential areas such as identity, belonging, intersectionality, legal requirements, and leadership strategies that will empower you in your role. By exploring both theoretical frameworks and practical applications, this course will equip you with the skills and confidence necessary to drive meaningful change in your school.

The Why, What, and How of Leading Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity in your school

Some key foundational considerations under the why, what and how of your role which will help to position you as an effective and impactful Inclusion lead.  This session will cover various themes such as:

• the importance of now
• establishing definitions
• the biggest misconceptions
• connecting the dots of your strategy, from audit to action plan

Speaker:  Temi Akindele Barker, Founder, Inclusion Labs

Temi began her career as a consultant in Legal Executive Search, both in the UK and internationally, eventually becoming Co-Head of the Senior Team covering US and UK law firms, and US financial institutions. A key part of her role involved supporting local and multinational clients to achieve their strategic  goals.  Prior to Inclusion Labs, she worked in Strategy and Research with a focus  on start-ups.  Temi is a mum of two daughters and committed to helping schools  ask the right questions and focus on the important things when it comes to  diversity, equity and inclusion.  Inclusion Labs offers a custom programme for schools, grounded in research and best practice, but most importantly on the lived experience of students and families, particularly those from underrepresented groups.

Understanding Equality and the Law

This session will cover the various elements of equality included within English legislation and the obligations they place on organisations. It will also consider whether the protections are adequate and whether they allow Schools to genuinely demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusivity.

Speaker:  Gemma Woodhouse, Partner, Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP

Gemma is an employment partner at Penningtons Manches Cooper. She advises organisations on all elements of employment law including discrimination and equal opportunities. She also works with a number of independent schools and is joint Head of the Penningtons Manches Cooper Schools Sector.

Delivering equitable outcomes

Speaker: Yasmina Kone, Hemisphere Education

Yasmina is Deputy Lead of Hemisphere Education. She’s an award-winning start-up operator that’s worked with some of the UK’s top corporate and start-up companies. Her social impact work has seen her feature in the BBC, Black Tech Fest and Busy Being Black Podcast, and her clients have included FTSE500 companies where she’s helped to open access to minority groups and use business as force for good. She’s passionate about the impact that the education sector can have on creating a more inclusive society and is leading on Hemisphere Education’s adoption in UK schools.

Leadership Challenges and Opportunities

How can you lead as effectively as possible, building capacity and confidence so that others move forward and achieve all they can? This session will explore the challenges that leadership presents, alongside the opportunities it can offer, and how you can make the most of them.

Case studies, Discussion and Next Steps 

This session will provide an opportunity to hear first-hand from school leaders about EDI work in their schools. The case studies will cover a range of different areas from the importance of pupil voice to recruitment. Participants will then have the chance to meet and discuss EDI work in their schools with other Inclusion Lead colleagues (in small zoom break out groups). To end the day, we will briefly consider next steps and things to be researching or thinking about before the second day of this course.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Safeguarding and Inspection

This session will look at safeguarding with an equity, diversity and inclusion lens and will consider key inspection requirements.

Speaker:  Dale Wilkins, Senior Director, BSA and BSA Group

Dale joined the BSA during Summer 2017 with responsibility for safeguarding and standards. In July 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 also developed a process of BSA Accreditation for our international members.

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 and has been closely involved in inspection in state and independent boarding since 2002. Dale had previously been a BSA course tutor since 1998 and developed the BSA Self-Assessment Toolkit, which was updated in 2022.

Identity, Belonging and Connectedness. 

This session will explore the notions of identity, belonging and connectedness. Speaker will share stories of identity and belonging as well as her experiences of working with young people in schools. How do our different and often intersecting identities shape our capacity to belong and connect and how can schools provide an environment where connectedness thrives?

Case Studies, Discussion and Closing Remarks

This session will be similar to the one at the end of day 1 in that it will provide an opportunity to hear first-hand from school leaders about EDI work in their schools. The case studies will cover a range of different areas to complement those discussed on day 1. Participants will then have the chance to meet and discuss EDI work in their schools with other Inclusion Lead colleagues (in small zoom break out groups). The day will close with an opportunity to reflect on the how, the why and the what of the Inclusion lead role and moving forward in an effective and impactful way.

Speaker : Sadia Hussain-Savuk, DEI Lead, Fettes College Edinburgh and Independent EDI educational consultant

Sadia is the DEI Lead at Fettes College, also working independently to provide DEI support to support to other independent schools in Scotland.  She started her teaching career in 2008 as a Biology teacher after having initially worked for the NHS as a scientist. Her interests and passions led her into pastoral support where she then recognised the need for more inclusive practices in education.

Cultural Competence and Supporting International Students

Speaker: Sara Thomas, Assistant Head of School, leading on wellbeing, at ACS Cobham

Sara Thomas is the Assistant Head of School, leading on wellbeing, at ACS Cobham. She oversees the boarding houses, medical centre, safeguarding team, student services, and the pastoral systems at the school. Originally a languages teacher (French, Welsh, English & Spanish), Sara’s other previous roles include Head of Welsh Baccalaureate, Head of Sixth Form and Deputy Headteacher. She has worked in a variety of schools both in the UK and abroad.

Speaker: Naomi Angelica Vibrati, Lead School Counsellor and a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead at ACS Cobham

Naomi Angelica Vibrati is the Lead School Counsellor and a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead at ACS Cobham. She supports students in middle school and collaborates with families, internal and external professionals . Her background is in supporting children, young people and adults therapeutically through systemic family therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy. Naomi has a particular interest in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and is also a ‘third culture kid’.

NEW Certificate for 2026-2027

Identifying and Removing Barriers to Learning: Belonging, Equity and Inclusion

Study Days for this Course are:

• Unit 1 : September 22, 2026
• Unit 2 : October 06, 2026
• Unit 3 : November 03, 2026
• Unit 4 : November 17, 2026
• Unit 5 : December 01, 2026

All study days will be online via Zoom and will run from 09:00 to 12:00 (BST/GMT).

TO BEGIN THIS COURSE IN SEPTEMBER CLICK HERE

Course outline:

Based on the multiple narratives and stakeholder perspectives regarding labels of difference this module will enable the student participants to explore the impact of the labels through differing social and theoretical perspectives including the complex nature of diversity within the contemporary educational environment. It will explore the principles of effective pedagogical practice through the themes of belonging, wellbeing, school culture and values, which support the diverse needs of all learners.

Within the module the student participants will undertake units which will cover the following areas;

• History of SEND and Inclusion; Dyslexia
• Anxiety and maths anxiety
• Autism and attachment
• EAL and bilingualism
• Gender and LGBTQ+

This module utilises an action research project to enable the students to critically reflect on their personal positioning and attitudes regarding developing their personal practice within the context of their own professional setting.

Course Tutors:

Julia Trickey, PGCE Primary Education Programme Leader, The University of Derby 

Julia Trickey is Programme Leader for the PGCE Primary Education with QTS at the University of Derby, UK. With 25 years’ experience in Primary Education, she has worked as a class teacher and SENCo and now leads across the ITT/E provision at Derby, focusing on SEND and Inclusion. Her Masters in Education from Boston University, Massachusetts, centred on developmental studies in Literacy, applying strategies to promote inclusive practice and engage reluctant readers. Across a range of educational settings, Julia is driven to inspire beginning teachers to recognise, implement and champion adaptive practice to meet all learners’ needs.

Kayte Haselgrove, Post-14 FE & Skills ITE Programmes Programme Lead, The University of Derby 

Kayte has worked in the Further Education and Skills sector since 2009, beginning in tutorial and pastoral care before moving into teaching English, maths, and IT. She has held roles including Advanced Practitioner, Subject Leader, and Head of Department for English and maths, as well as Head of Teaching and Learning. Through her business, EduKayte, she has delivered professional development nationwide, representing organisations such as the Education and Training Foundation. Now Programme Lead for Post-14 FE and Skills ITE at the University of Derby, Kayte also serves as an LSRN Co-Chair, BERA Convenor, and PhD researcher in Education.

Adam Brett, Lecturer and Researcher, Doctor of Education Programme Assistant Lead, The University of Derby 

Dr Adam Brett is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Derby and the Assistant Programme Leader for the Doctor of Education programme. Adam’s research interests include social justice, professional identity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, critical pedagogy and ITE. Adam also has 15 years of teaching and leadership experience in secondary schools.