a virtual company update
This week, on 8th June, we held the annual Bright World Company Conference. For the first time, the event took place online, with staff members joining from all across the UK and our Chinese colleagues attending from Mainland China.
Sessions were led by members of the Senior Management Team, which provided key updates to both the head office and Local Coordinator teams. Staff also received updated safeguarding training from Adam Lubbock, the founder of independent safeguarding organisation, Kings River Education.
a snapshot of the year
Opening the conference, Managing Director Lana Foster, outlined the challenges that Bright World and the guardianship industry and international education sectors at large have faced over the last year and highlighted the hard work and dedication of staff in supporting students, parents and agents throughout the pandemic.
Moving away slightly from covid-19, Lana also talked about her predictions for the September 2021 academic year and some key staff changes and appointments.
marketing updates
Leading the second session, Charlotte Hamson, Director of Sales & Marketing, spoke about the challenges of promoting guardianship during the pandemic, when many students had been unable to travel to the UK, highlighting some of the marketing campaigns that helped to keep students engaged and increase confidence in the safety of UK Boarding during the pandemic. This was followed by a review of market insights for the the new academic year and a focus on the marketing work that our Local Coordinators do behind the scenes throughout the year.
AEGIS re-accreditation and safeguarding strategy
Jenny Rumble, Director of Safeguarding and Operations, began by speaking about the 2021 re-accreditation inspection by AEGIS (the Association for the Education & Guardianship of International Students) which concluded this month and in which Bright World achieved 100% in all 196 criteria inspected. This was followed by safeguarding case studies and an update focussing on the role of our Local Coordinator team.
Later in the day, Jenny also conducted a safeguarding policy refresher and review for all staff.
guardianship review - quarantine, testing and operations
Next to take to the virtual stage was Director of Guardianships, Su Warren. Su's presentation included a review of the year from the guardianship team and a review of the Bright World Covid-19 safe plans for host families and airport transfer arrangements.
Also included was an overview and training session on student quarantine and testing requirements; how this has affected operations and the steps taken to help and support students throughout.
remote working and internet security
Following Su, James Foster, Commercial Director, gave a presentation on internet security and the continued rise of fraudulent emails. This topic was particularly relevant this year, as many professionals in the UK, including Bright World staff continue to work remotely in line with government guidance.
Local Coordinator Awards 2021
Best Newcomer Award winner
Thank you Lana and the rest of the Bright World team. I've enjoyed my first year as a local coordinator, even though all my meetings have been 'virtual' and am now looking forward to actually visiting the schools and students in person from September. It has been lovely knowing that help is always just a phone call or email away. Thank you especially Jenny and Caspar. Anything I'm not sure of, I just forward to them and hope they'll sort it!
Constant Contributor Award winner
It was such a lovely surprise to have been awarded a Local Coordinator award today for my contributions to the role over the past year. It has certainly been a challenging year with COVID to contend with, but it has been hugely rewarding too, making sure that all of the students in my area have stayed safe and well throughout. I feel proud to be part of such a great organisation and team of people. Thank you for this reward, which really means a lot!
Above and Beyond Award winner
I was so surprised to receive a Bright World Local Coordinator’s award as this has been such an extraordinary time over the last fifteen months, which has quite literally affected everything for everyone. Staff at Bright World head office were all very supportive during this period, helping me to provide welfare, support and safeguarding to all the students I am involved with. Zoom has been essential to keep in contact with students and schools but I do look forward to meeting all my students face to face in the very near future. This is a year that we all want to forget but will always remember for different reasons. Thank you to all involved
LC of the Year Award winner
To win the award for Local Area Coordinator of the year was such a pIeasant surprise and totally unexpected. It is a real honour to have been given the award and I am very grateful. I feel incredibly fortunate to work as a local coordinator for Brightworld. Getting to know students from all over the world; welcoming them; providing advice and reassurance and helping students settle in at school is a true privilege.
annual safeguarding training
As a key part of our commitment to safeguarding children and, in particular, the international students under our care, all staff receive annual safeguarding refresher training. For the second year running, this session was led by Adam Lubbock, Founder of King's River Education, an independent safeguarding consultancy, specialising in guardianship.
The session covered key changes to safeguarding legislation, which are included in the draft of the new Standards for Boarding Schools (SBS) which replaces the National Minimum Standards for Boarding (NMS).
