THE AEGIS CONFERENCE 2024

We were delighted to welcome delegates to the annual AEGIS Conference on 9th May in London. This year’s oversubscribed event was a huge success, with a lively mix of schools, guardians, agents, and sector professionals gathering at the Congress Centre to listen to our exceptional speakers, share ideas, network, and show their support for the welfare of international students.

After an opening message to delegates from AEGIS CEO Yasemin Wigglesworth, the morning was devoted to safeguarding, with our Keynote Speaker Marie Gentles delivering a compelling speech about international student mental health - inspiring us all with her ground-breaking and proven approach to understanding and managing the complexities of student behaviour

Ann Marie Christian followed with a powerful examination of the reality of racism –exploring the international student experience and how schools and guardians can tackle the stereotyping and ‘othering’ that children from other cultures often face when studying in the UK

Dominic Moon of Metropolis Education launched the afternoon session with an insightful analysis of the international market for student recruitment; highlighting key developments and possible future trends in an increasingly competitive market, with the spectre of VAT on the horizon

Finally, ISI and DfE joined us virtually to provide updates; with both Rhiannon Williams (ISI) and Michael Bell (DfE) highlighting the importance of a professionally curious and proactive approach by schools to meeting statutory guidance in dealing with the welfare and guardianship of international students, and with Michael Bell noting that finding ways to further strengthen guidance on guardianship is likely to feature in future consultations.

There was an undeniable buzz to the AEGIS Conference this year, and we are hugely grateful for the enthusiastic support of our members and partners in the sector We look forward to seeing you all again next year! More information on this year’s event and the individual speakers can be found here: AEGIS Conference 2024

Photos from the day can be found here: Conference Photo Gallery

‘What a wonderful half-day I had with you all… Yesterday’s sold-out turnout is testament to the hard work you put into increasing awareness of what significance quality guardianship plays to the success of an international student’s experience within the boarding school community.’

Susan Fang, Founder and Director, UKGuardianship

‘It has been a great day at the AEGIS conference. …. There has been a significant focus on how to safeguard and care for international students in the UK. It has been such a pleasure to meet so many education groups who have pupil wellbeing at the centre of all they do. I leave feeling very reassured and proud of all we do at Farringtons School.’

Sam Palacios, Assistant Head (Pastoral & Boarding) Farringtons School

Conference images credit to Suzy Slemen Photography