Queen Ethelburga’s Celebrates Award Win For Innovative Approach To Boarding
Published by Queen Ethelburga's King's Magna on Thursday 5th of May 2022
North Yorkshire Independent School Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate (QE) is celebrating, as it was announced as the winner of the Boarding Innovation Award at the BSA Supporting Excellence Awards 2022. Held for the first time in 2018, these national awards are an opportunity to celebrate the achievements, hard work, and dedication in boarding schools. The Boarding Innovation Award celebrates an outstanding example of innovation to deliver better boarding.
The Houseparent Assistant App at QE, has been designed and created by a Houseparent to overcome the administrative demands of the role. It integrates school database system iSams with Microsoft Teams, and both the app and its House Monitoring data tracking system run through Microsoft Power Platform so work on mobile, tablet or desktop. All data (including photos) used or generated by this application is stored exclusively on the school server and is fully compliant with the School's Data Protection Policy. The different modules make every aspect of administration in a residential setting easier, paperless and quicker.
Daniel Machin, Principal of Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, said ‘We were very proud that the BSA Supporting Excellence Awards recognised our fantastic QE boarding team for their outstanding boarding innovation. At QE, innovation has and always will be of crucial importance, as we continue to ensure that the quality of care we offer for our students, meets their evolving needs. Our boarding students at QE benefit from exemplary facilities, exceptional care and invaluable opportunities which ensure they thrive in all aspects of their life.
I'd also like to say congratulations to Guy Emmett and the Scarborough College team for their success at the awards, as we all play our part in representing independent schools in the North of England! Thank you so much to the Boarding Schools' Association for a fantastic conference this year and for all your support.’
Lauren Blakeley, Head of Boarding at QE, said ‘Our Houseparent App has transformed the job of Houseparent here at QE. It allows more time to be spent with the students, which is vitally important to us. It is a truly unique innovation and has already had a significant impact with the Houseparents, and therefore the students, in all of our boarding houses.’
The judges said: “The winner of this award has taken the concept of a boarding ‘app’ and has adapted it very effectively in a bespoke manner to cover a wide range of areas to assist with management of the boarding house. The presentation video was also a very effective way of communicating the message!”
QE was also a finalist in two other categories: Supporting Junior Boarders Award, and also for the Most Original Activity During National Boarding Week Award.
