Governance & Policies
Governance, Accreditations and Inspections
Buckswood is a proprietorial school, with the Director of the proprietorial company (Mr. Sutton) having oversight of the school. He is advised by the members of the Advisory Governing Board (AGB) who provide checks and balances in helping to ensure that the school continues to grow and provides a safe and challenging environment for the students. The AGB meets regularly to monitor the school and provide support and guidance to the School Director.
Responsibility for the day to day operation of the school is undertaken by the Principal and Academic Principal and the Senior Management Team (SMT). The SMT meets regularly and reports to the School Director and AGB. There are various other committees which meet regularly and report to the SMT to triangulate information and ensure that student progress and behaviour is being appropriately managed. The student council also meets to discuss aspects of school life and provide input on the future direction of the school.
Buckswood School Advisory Governing Board
Ian Mowat
Job Title: Buckswood Advisory Board (AGB) Member – Chairperson
Role Type: Voluntary
Co ordinating with: Board members and GS
Ian has recently retired from a career as a teacher including ten years at Buckswood where he established the IB and headed the Business/Economics dept. Teaching was preceded by a successful 20 year Business career in Operations management within the printing industry following graduate recruitment by Unilever.
Over the years in his adopted town of Tenterden he has been chair of the junior school governors, Mayor and leisure centre trustee.
Laurence Walker
Job Title: Buckswood Advisory Board (AGB) Member – Estate & Health and Safety
Role Type: Voluntary
Co ordinating with: HHS
Born and educated in New Zealand, Laurence lives in Hastings and has had an Architectural Design & Build business in Hastings for over 15 years. The business also engages in planning & project management & development services. In this capacity Laurence has been engaged and associated with Buckswood School since 2004.
Laurence and his wife have two daughters, both living in East Sussex and both with growing families of their own. Laurence has a life-long interest in education, travel, the arts and all things architectural.
Ian White
Job Title: Buckswood Advisory Board (AGB) Member – Business Representative
Role Type: Voluntary
Co ordinating with: GS/JO
Ian was educated in Folkestone, Kent, where he studied Law Business and Finance. Ian now lives in St Leonards-on-Sea and he and his wife have 2 daughters both living in the Hastings area.
Ian is the current Managing Director of the Horizon Group of Companies, which is a business finance and development boutique of companies which includes a corporate finance house for which Ian has served as a director for over 20 years.
Ian has a passion for developing business and has been involved with Buckswood for a number of years and has a lifelong interest in business, supporting students as well as an interest in the performing arts.
Julie Reece
Job Title: Buckswood Advisory Board (AGB) Member – Educational Expert
Role Type: Voluntary
Co ordinating with: MS
I am passionate about supporting young people in accessing high-quality education and I have worked in this field for over 30 years, as both a teacher and a leader. I have extensive experience of statutory school systems, safeguarding and school improvement issues and have worked in advisory and supportive roles within a range of schools. As a previous parent of Buckswood students, I understand, and have been fully committed to, the school’s vision and ethos over many years and I have seen first-hand how students at Buckswood can thrive in this international community. As a member of the Advisory Governing Body, I use my breadth of knowledge and experience to support and challenge leaders in their roles, as well as to support and celebrate the school’s provision and many successes.
Catherine Bune
Job Title: Buckswood Advisory Board (AGB) Member – Parent Representative
Role Type: Voluntary
Co ordinating with: Clerk
Having worked in preschool education for the last 16 years I am passionate about bringing the best out in children and finding their hidden talents and qualities from a young age.
I have relevant qualifications in childcare including safeguarding and paediatric first aid and am also a licensed chaperone.
I am a parent of three children, two currently attend Buckswood and love the international community and family atmosphere and the other one who recently left Buckswood achieving excellent grades.
Anne Jeffery
Job Title: Buckswood Advisory Board (AGB) Member – Clerk
Role Type: Voluntary
Co ordinating with: Chair
Anne has worked in Education since 1999 and has held various roles including PA to the Deputy Principal at Rye College and PA to the Principal at Rye Studio School. Anne has also been Clerk to the Governors at St Thomas CE Aided Primary School in Winchelsea and Rye College. She has worked for Buckswood School since 2017, as well as Clerk to the Advisory Board, Anne is also the Schools Attendance Officer.
To contact the schools advisory Governing body please do so in writing to the following address :
Anne Jeffery – Clerk to the Advisory Board
Buckswood School
Rye Road
Guestling
TN35 4LT
Jennifer O’Shea
Job Title: Buckswood Advisory Board (AGB) Member – Boarding & Safeguarding
Role Type: Voluntary
Co ordinating with: DSL, HoB
With over 10 years of experience within Buckswood’s boarding community as a Residential Tutor, Head of Boarding and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, I have a deep understanding of the complexities an International Boarding School environment can present. I am dedicated to supporting the School to embed policies and procedures that will enable each and every child to develop and achieve all that they dream possible within a safe and secure environment.
I am passionate about the School’s vision and philosophy. As a member of the Advisory Governing Board, I will use my knowledge and experience to provide support and robust challenge to leaders concerning safeguarding to allow each and every child to thrive.
New post - Vacant position
Job Title: Buckswood Advisory Board (AGB) Member – HR Representative
Role Type: Voluntary
Co ordinating with: HR officer
New post - Vacant position
Job Title: Buckswood Advisory Board (AGB) Member – Staff Representative
Role Type: Voluntary
Co ordinating with: Clerk and MS
Accreditations and Inspections
Buckswood school is registered with the Department for Education in the United Kingdom, is a Member of the European Council of International Schools (ECIS). Buckswood is also Accredited Cambridge International Exams Centre for PET and KET IGCSE and A Level Courses.
Parents Report
At Buckswood we value the views and opinions of our parents more than any other. They are the group that have made the biggest investment in the school and we feel that as valued members of the Buckswood family they are more than qualified to give you an honest account of the ‘Buckswood Difference’ and what it really means to them…
IB evaluation report
ISI Inspection Reports
Policies
Statutory Policies
Each educational establishment must publish its statutory policies as below these are fundamental guidance on the policies and documents that governing bodies and proprietors of schools must have.
Other Policies
Other policies, including those listed below are available upon request by emailing admin@buckswood.co.uk or asking at the school reception.
| Acceptable use of ICT |
| Access Arrangements |
| Access to Independent Help |
| Access to minutes of Advisory Governing Body meetings |
| Access to property by outside people |
| Access to Risky areas |
| Accessibility |
| Accident, Incident, Dangerous Occurrences |
| & Occupational Ill-Health Reporting & Investigation Policy |
| Administration of Medicines |
| Admissions |
| Alcohol |
| Allegations of Abuse against Staff |
| Anti Bullying |
| Attendance |
| Behaviour |
| Bicycle |
| Boarder Post and Packages |
| Boarding Dorm Rules |
| Boarders Health and Wellbeing |
| Boarders Leave |
| Boarding principles and practice |
| Boarding Students Complaints |
| CCTV |
| Changing Room Supervision |
| Child Abduction Policy and Procedures |
| Child Protection |
| Communication |
| Complaints |
| Cultural Policy |
| Curriculum |
| Cyber Bullying |
| Data Protection |
| Dietary Needs |
| Dogs in School |
| Drugs and Alcohol Misuse/Education |
| Drugs and Alcohol Abuse |
| EAL |
| Educational Trip |
| Emergency and continuity |
| Emergency fire precautions and drills |
| Employee handbook |
| Equality |
| Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity |
| Exam contingency plan |
| Exclusion |
| Fire alarm protocol for duty staff |
| Fire risk prevention |
| Fire Safety |
| First Aid |
| Freedom of information |
| Food in Boarding Houses |
| Gambling |
| Grievance |
| Guardianship |
| Health and Safety |
| Health and Safety fines |
| Low level concerns |
| Managing allegations procedure |
| Managing contractors |
| Mental Health and Wellbeing |
| Missing Student |
| Online safety |
| PHSE |
| Partisan political views |
| Pocket Money |
| Prefects |
| Preventing Radicalisation |
| Provision for pupils with particular religious, dietary or cultural needs |
| Quality Assurance |
| Recoverable Lessons |
| Recruitment and Selection |
| Registration and attendance in absence of SIMS |
| Risk Assessment |
| Safe storage, administration of medicines |
| School Visitors Policy and Procedure |
| Screening, search and confiscation |
| SEND |
| Sharing of Nude Images |
| Sickness and absence |
| Staff behaviour code of conduct |
| Staff smoking policy |
| Student Health and Wellbeing |
| Student Leadership |
| Students with Medical Needs |
| Student signing out policy |
| Supervision |
| Supervision in boarding houses |
| Town Leave |
| Transgender Policy |
| Uniform Policy |
| Use of electronic devices |
| Use of reasonable force and restraint |
| Vehicle movement |
| Visitor |
| Visitors to boarding accommodation |
| Weekend meals |
| Whistleblowing |
Risk Assessments
Risk Policy is the set of formal instructions, typically documented and approved by internal governing bodies, that define in sufficient operational detail an organization’s perception and attitude towards the range or risks it faces and desires to manage.