NEW AGENT MEMBERSHIP PROGRAMME

launched by British Boarding Schools Network (BBSN)

The British Boarding Schools’ Network (BBSN) launched a new Agent Membership Programme at the end of October 2022. The programme formalises the work that BBSN has been doing for the past 17 years as they continue to carry out rigorous checks on new agent applicants, including three reference checks, and interviewing all agents on Zoom. In addition, some further checks and requirements have been introduced. Crucially, membership will be re-evaluated annually, providing schools with the strongest agent vetting process within the UK boarding school sector.

The roll-out of the programme started last term with current BBSN agent members and the additional membership requirements now apply to all prospective agents looking to join the Network. Director, Suzanne Rowse, explains the reasons for the rebranding of the membership programme for agents:

“We wanted to provide formal recognition for the vital role that our professional educational agents play in the recruitment of international pupils into British boarding schools.We listened carefully to what our members told us they would like and sought the views of experienced staff from both schools and agent member organisations.”

“We have enhanced our membership programme to provide validity and evidence of rigorous quality assurance of agents for our member schools and to the client families our agents work with. The new programme gives our member schools increased confidence that they are working with high quality, reputable agencies, thus protecting their UKVI sponsor licence.”

Two levels of membership have been introduced:

Level 1: BBSN APPROVED AGENT status (from December 2022) means that an agent has passed all the vetting checks and met BBSN’s comprehensive membership requirements.

Level 2: BBSN TRUSTED & APPROVED AGENT status (to be introduced mid-2023) further recognises the commitment of long-standing agent members who are fully engaged with the Network, that BBSN has really got to know and trust over time. There are additional requirements for these agents to fulfil.

Feedback from BBSN’s members has been hugely positive, with over 40% of the 470+ agent offices applying for Approved Agent status within the first week of launch. Dr Marina Filgueira Figueira, Director of TWIST Spain, said:

“Wonderful news!!! I am very impressed about the new membership programme for agents, and we are delighted to apply. Congratulations for your continuous support and never stopping to find new and better ways to improve relationships with boarding schools.”

The BBSN team have been busy processing applications, renewing references, and catching up with current agent members on Zoom for a post-

Covid business update, if they have not been in contact for a while. Despite the large number of agents in the Network, personal contact and really getting to know each agency is an important part of BBSN’s ethos.

Membership of the British Boarding Schools’ Network is an acknowledgement that a company is professional, meets BBSN’s strict quality assurance standards and shares BBSN’s values. Membership is only granted to agents who meet the Network’s high standards, and many agent applications are turned down, or deferred until the agent has gained more experience.

Suzanne says: “Being a part of our Network is seen as a privilege by our agent members who feel honoured to be accepted into membership. For school members it provides reassurance of the high calibre of agents in our Network.”

“As we come out of the disruption from the past few years, it felt like the perfect time to redesign our membership programme and increase its value to our members. We are committed to continuing to improve and develop the Network.”

Suzanne Rowse Director

BBSN is the Network that connects schools and agents together, to build positive and effective relationships, enabling both sides to efficiently achieve their recruitment targets.

www.britishboarding.com

Placing An International Student Is More Than Just A Process

it’s about understanding their culture

As an Educational consultant in the company the Good Morning Africa Group, I represent students from the continent and also the diaspora. I have won numerous awards and been featured in Forbes for my great work. I am a mother who has had her children start their boarding journey over 8 years ago.

International students usually have so much to navigate in the space of boarding schools here in the UK. I often act as an advocate between the school and the child. It’s not a case of just bringing the child to the school, but having a complete understanding of the culture with which the child comes. This is so important to the family.

This is one of the reasons why, when we have our events either here or in Africa, we ensure that schools have a sample of the food, the culture and the history. This way there is more of an understanding of the background. One of the things that GMA works very hard at is ensuring that a school has the proper framework in place and training for the school so that even language that is used by admissions staff is empowering and not disempowering.

Although families are very knowledgeable about the schools, they do not completely understand the somewhat confusing application process at times.

The Managing Director of the group has relationships with the top feeder schools in Ghana, also worked on literacy projects with the First Lady of Ghana, as well as being celebrated by King Charles when he was the Prince of Wales.

Elaine’s passion as a mother with African heritage means that she completely understands the education process as a product of the UK independent system herself.

In her own words, all of our students are amazing and also end up in senior leadership positions in the school we place them in. There is genius in every child. Our role is to nurture that. We have recently partnered with Catalyst, Winchester College to further our mission.

I am very much looking at expanding our network of schools and educational organisations. To work with us please get in touch via email hello@ goodmorningafrica.club