To assist in the selection of schools, the Independent Public School to assist with panel may source additional information their transition. Schools will also receive including: an annual grant of $50,000 paid in Term 1. Independent Public Schools continue school performance data to receive funding according to school financial audit reports. departmental allocation methods. How many schools are How do staffing processes involved? differ for Independent Public There is an opportunity for at least 120 Schools? schools to become Independent Public Principals at Independent Public Schools Schools over a four-year period from 2013 to 2016. There are currently 80 can choose between directly recruiting schools involved in the program with 26 teachers (where vacancies exist) or by selected in 2013 and 54 in 2014. filling vacancies through existing department applicant pools or the Further opportunities to express interest transfer system. They can also access to become an Independent Public School the relocation process for classified will be provided each year, until 2016. teaching staff. From 2017, the Independent Public Independent Public Schools can shape Schools program will be expanded their workforce to meet strategic through Great teachers=Great results. directions set at a local level that respond directly to the needs of their What does school governance students. Schools have additional look like in an Independent autonomy for greater flexibility in staffing Public School? options through: are required Independent Public Schools direct recruitment of classified and to have a school council. This enables non-classified teaching staff at any greater involvement of the school time community and other stakeholders, such local management of their staffing as industry, in setting the strategic profile. direction of the school. School councils approve and monitor the school’s strategic direction, strengthening local The Independent Public School initiative decision-making. does not impact staff permanency. If a permanent employee does not wish to In addition, principals have a remain in an Independent Public School, performance agreement with the they have the opportunity to transfer to Director-General. another state school within the same geographic area. Are Independent Public All permanent employees are required to Schools funded differently? confirm in writing if they are opting out Independent Public Schools receive a from their school within one month of the one-off $50,000 grant in Term 4 of the notification that the school will be year prior to commencement as an included in the Independent Public
To assist in the selection of schools, the panel may source additional information including: school performance data school financial audit reports. How many schools are involved? There is an opportunity for at least 120 schools to become Independent Public Schools over a four-year period from 2013 to 2016. There are currently 80 schools involved in the program with 26 selected in 2013 and 54 in 2014. Further opportunities to express interest to become an Independent Public School will be provided each year, until 2016. From 2017, the Independent Public Schools program will be expanded through Great teachers=Great results. What does school governance look like in an Independent Public School? Independent Public Schools are required to have a school council. This enables greater involvement of the school community and other stakeholders, such as industry, in setting the strategic direction of the school. School councils approve and monitor the school’s strategic direction, strengthening local decision-making. In addition, principals have a performance agreement with the Director-General. Are Independent Public Schools funded differently? Independent Public Schools receive a one-off $50,000 grant in Term 4 of the year prior to commencement as an Independent Public School to assist with their transition. Schools will also receive an annual grant of $50,000 paid in Term 1. Independent Public Schools continue to receive funding according to departmental allocation methods. How do staffing processes differ for Independent Public Schools? Principals at Independent Public Schools can choose between directly recruiting teachers (where vacancies exist) or by filling vacancies through existing department applicant pools or the transfer system. They can also access the relocation process for classified teaching staff. Independent Public Schools can shape their workforce to meet strategic directions set at a local level that respond directly to the needs of their students. Schools have additional autonomy for greater flexibility in staffing options through: direct recruitment of classified and non-classified teaching staff at any time local management of their staffing profile. The Independent Public School initiative does not impact staff permanency. If a permanent employee does not wish to remain in an Independent Public School, they have the opportunity to transfer to another state school within the same geographic area. All permanent employees are required to confirm in writing if they are opting out from their school within one month of the notification that the school will be included in the Independent Public
IPS_QnA_For_SCHOOLS.docx