The shock waves from the conflict in Ukraine are still being felt around the world, including in boarding schools.
Hundreds of global boarding schools have students from Ukraine and Russia. Among the UK’s 490-plus boarding schools there are around 1,300 Russian students whose parents live outside the UK and maybe around half that number again from Ukraine.
Using statistics like these is a useful starting point, but in real life not everyone falls into neat national identities. Many Ukrainians have Russian passports. Nearly all Ukrainians speak Russian, some as their first language. There are extensive family links. Many are saying it feels like a civil war.
“In real life not everyone falls into neat national identities.”
As one boarding school head told me this week the question “where are you local?” often has little do with a passport stamp but rather how you identify, geographically or culturally.
Understandably, many schools have visibly shown their support for Ukraine, perhaps by flying the Ukrainian national flag. Others have adopted a completely neutral stance, not drawing themselves, staff or students into any conversation which involves taking sides. They recognise that blame and finger-pointing have nothing good to offer at this extraordinarily sensitive moment in history.
The heart of the issue for schools is providing pastoral support for anyone who needs it, particularly boarding students maybe thousands of miles from home, or even those from the UK simply worried about what the crisis means. Many international students are also worried about even more travel restrictions, and whether those who have already experienced difficulties getting home due to the Covid-19 pandemic will now face further angst.
“Now is not the time to be running history lessons on the origins of tensions between Ukraine and Russia.”
At times like this it is all about gentleness, listening, explaining and giving people space or time to think or even be quiet on their own. Now is not the time to be running politics, geography or history lessons on the origins of tensions between Ukraine and Russia. Now is the time however to show students that they have support within the schools and helping them to keep in touch with home.
As well as compassionate care, boarding schools are also focusing on practical issues too, such as students being able to get to school or get back home, if they wish. This is about monitoring travel arrangements, flights and fast-changing visa regulations. And being aware that Y13 Russian students are unlikely to get new visas for their university studies either in UK or US, so schools need to be helping them to come up with alternative plans.
There are also financial aspects for schools to consider too with careful navigation of sanction rules affecting finance and personal funds.
BSA is also playing its part to support schools in whatever way it can. As well as answering individual queries from schools, it organised an open webinar on the crisis attended by more than 150 staff from over 100 schools before the end of February, followed by a detailed guidance note issued to all its members.
“And while our schools support students, staff and families, BSA will continue to support them.”
Alongside this, the BSA team has also been in close communication with various government departments, including the Home Office and the Department for Education, to try to get guidance on rules and regulations, and especially securing, if possible, a fast way for any Ukrainian students and their families to get the UK, if they can.
Nothing dates more quickly than an unfolding world conflict. The situation as I write now will have changed perhaps a little by tomorrow but by much in a few days’ time.
That’s why the job for BSA member schools can be summarised in just three words: support, support, support. And while our schools support students, staff and families, BSA will continue to support them.