In partnership with Boarding School’s Association, AISL Academy is pleased to offer two interactive sessions exploring two core themes in student care: promoting wellbeing and managing risk in boarding settings. Through discussion, case studies, and shared practice, this series will support staff in deepening their understanding of student mental health, as well as preparing confidently for crisis situations that may arise during the school year.
Table of Contents
Session Detail & Registration
Pastoral Care: Developing a Culture of Wellbeing
Date & Time: 19 September 4:30-5:15 p.m. (Hong Kong)
Register now: Click here *Once your registration is complete, you will receive a confirmation email. Please note that this email might land in your spam, promotions, or other tabs, so kindly check those folders if you don’t see it in your inbox.
This session explores how wellbeing should underpin all aspects of boarding life. Participants will discuss how wellbeing is promoted in their schools, share best practices in small groups, and reflect on ways to integrate wellbeing into daily boarding routines. The session includes key statistics on student mental health, an overview of wellbeing models, and concludes with reflective questions. It will also address how staff can manage their own wellbeing to better support the young people in their care.
Boarding Management: Risk Assessment and Managing Crises
Date & Time: 26 September 2025 4:30-5:15 p.m. (Hong Kong)
Register now: Click here *Once your registration is complete, you will receive a confirmation email. Please note that this email might land in your spam, promotions, or other tabs, so kindly check those folders if you don’t see it in your inbox.
The session will use real-life case studies, explored through small breakout discussions, giving participants the opportunity to share good practice and exchange ideas with fellow boarding professionals. Tutor-led discussions in the main room will further highlight how various incidents have been managed in real school environments. By the end of the session, participants will feel more confident in handling incidents as they occur, and in ensuring that their school policies, procedures, and staffing are robust and fit for purpose.
Speaker
  | Dale Vilkins Executive Director, Scotland/Wales and Accredited/Compliance |
Dale Wilkins joined the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) in the summer of 2017, bringing with him over three decades of experience in boarding education. At the BSA, Dale is responsible for safeguarding and standards, having previously served as a course tutor since 1998. He holds a BA (Hons), an MA in Education, and a PGCE.
He leads all safeguarding and inspection matters for the BSA, including the management of the Commitment to Care Charter, and developed the BSA Accreditation process for international members. He also liaises with ISI, Ofsted, and the Department for Education on issues relating to compliance and inspection standards. Dale is the author of the BSA Self-Assessment Toolkit, first published in 2002, and has been closely involved in inspections across both state and independent boarding sectors ever since.
Before joining the BSA, Dale worked in boarding for 31 years. He held positions at Norwich School and Tettenhall College, became Housemaster at Old Swinford Hospital in 1992, and was later promoted to Deputy Head in 2007, also serving as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). He has additionally worked as a multi-agency trainer for the Dudley Safeguarding Children’s Board.
