ISBA BURSARCAST // Policy Readiness, Digital Risk and Senior Recruitment: This Week in ISBA (29th May 2026)

This week’s Bursarcast focuses on the compliance, safeguarding, staffing and financial governance developments most likely to affect independent school operations.We cover the EHRC’s draft updated Code of Practice, now presented to Parliament, and the connected safeguarding and equality implications for schools as they monitor proposed KCSIE updates on pupils questioning their gender.We also flag safeguarding policy readiness following the updated Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance, including the importance of keeping policy references current and ensuring school practice matches published procedures.For schools providing staff accommodation, we note ISBA’s updated assured periodic tenancy and prior notice of grounds templates, linked to the Renters’ Rights Act. The episode also covers updated reserves and investment policy guidance, HMRC’s approved mileage rates from 6 April 2026, and warnings about business rates agents and cold calling.Digital risk is another theme this week, with practical issues around smart glasses, image capture, acceptable use, exams, visitors and reasonable adjustments. We also look at the wider debate on social media access for under-16s and the direction of travel on mobile phone policy scrutiny.We highlight two senior recruitment opportunities: bursar roles at The King’s Bruton Foundation and Dover College.A focused update for bursars, heads, governors, COOs and senior teams tracking the issues that could shape compliance, safeguarding, staffing, finance, property and operational risk planning.Resources MentionedEHRC draft updated Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations — available via GOV.UK KCSIE 2026 proposed revisions — available via GOV.UK ISBA webinar: KCSIE on gender questioning pupils – a new statutory safeguarding lens Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 — available via GOV.UK ISBA safeguarding policy template amendments — available in the ISBA Reference Library National Minimum Standards for Boarding — available via GOV.UK Independent School Standards Guidance — available via GOV.UK Digital and technology standards in schools and colleges — available via GOV.UK Children Missing Education guidance — available via GOV.UK ISBA updated assured periodic tenancy agreement and prior notice of grounds templates — available in the ISBA Reference Library ISBA Reserves and Investment Policy Template and Guidance — available in the ISBA Reference Library HMRC travel mileage and fuel rates and allowances — available via GOV.UK Valuation Office Agency guidance on choosing a business rates agent — available via GOV.UK HSE workplace temperature guidance and checklist — available via HSE DfE hot weather and heatwaves guidance for schools and education settings — available via GOV.UK Government consultation and policy material on children’s use of social media — available via GOV.UK ISI consultations on inspection complaints and significant strengths — available via ISI DfE call for evidence on antisemitism in schools and colleges — available via GOV.UK ISBA recruitment: Bursar at The King’s Bruton Foundation ISBA recruitment: Bursar at Dover CollegeSubscribe & Follow New episodes every Friday at 4pm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Acast.Email: [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you. The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIOwww.rafikistudio.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.