How do Queensland School consultation should involve stakeholders such as: Independent Public Schools differ from other state schools? parents, including the Parents & Queensland Independent Public Schools Citizens’ Association and school have greater flexibility to enable council (if established) innovation that improves performance the wider community, for example through: local business, industry and managing their planning and review community groups. processes When submitting an EOI, schools need determining staffing options to provide documentation of no more determining the departmental than three A4 pages to demonstrate: policies and procedures that best the consultation that has occurred suit their individual communities. across groups, including a summary All Independent Public Schools remain of their views part of the strong state school system. the school’s capacity to assume They need to operate within the system greater responsibility for their affairs enacting the same core values, beliefs the potential benefits for students and priorities. and the broader school community the innovative educational programs How can schools become an or practices that the school will Independent Public School? implement to improve student All Queensland state schools, performance. irrespective of size, geographical location or school type, can apply to become an All applications must be submitted using Independent Public School in 2015 the online form which will be made through an open Expression of Interest available on OnePortal during the (EOI) process. submission period. Prior to submitting an EOI, it is essential that principals undertake broad How are schools selected for consultation with their school the initiative? communities. A Department of Education, Training and Principals may use existing consultative Employment internal panel, including a groups to ensure the whole school number of existing IPS principals, community has the opportunity to provide considers all Independent Public School input and to gain an understanding of all applications. Schools that are in the best stakeholder views. position to use increased autonomy to Schools can begin their consultation at improve student outcomes are selected. Additionally, the schools selected any time. represent the diversity of state schools Consultation will gauge community across Queensland, with schools in interest in becoming an Independent every region encouraged to apply. Public School.
How do Queensland Independent Public Schools differ from other state schools? Queensland Independent Public Schools have greater flexibility to enable innovation that improves performance through: managing their planning and review processes determining staffing options determining the departmental policies and procedures that best suit their individual communities. All Independent Public Schools remain part of the strong state school system. They need to operate within the system enacting the same core values, beliefs and priorities. How can schools become an Independent Public School? All Queensland state schools, irrespective of size, geographical location or school type, can apply to become an Independent Public School in 2015 through an open Expression of Interest (EOI) process. Prior to submitting an EOI, it is essential that principals undertake broad consultation with their school communities. Principals may use existing consultative groups to ensure the whole school community has the opportunity to provide input and to gain an understanding of all stakeholder views. Schools can begin their consultation at any time. Consultation will gauge community interest in becoming an Independent Public School. School consultation should involve stakeholders such as: parents, including the Parents & Citizens’ Association and school council (if established) the wider community, for example local business, industry and community groups. When submitting an EOI, schools need to provide documentation of no more than three A4 pages to demonstrate: the consultation that has occurred across groups, including a summary of their views the school’s capacity to assume greater responsibility for their affairs the potential benefits for students and the broader school community the innovative educational programs or practices that the school will implement to improve student performance. All applications must be submitted using the online form which will be made available on OnePortal during the submission period. How are schools selected for the initiative? A Department of Education, Training and Employment internal panel, including a number of existing IPS principals, considers all Independent Public School applications. Schools that are in the best position to use increased autonomy to improve student outcomes are selected. Additionally, the schools selected represent the diversity of state schools across Queensland, with schools in every region encouraged to apply.
IPS_QnA_For_SCHOOLS.docx