Education
What is an Independent Public School and what does IPS mean for my children? One of the hardest and most important decisions we make as parents and carers is where we should send our children for their education. State or Private? Or is there a third option now? And what does IPS mean anyway? We spoke to Dave Bosworth of Earnshaw P-12 State College to give us the lowdown on the government’s new Independent Public Schools and what that means for Brisbane parents and students.
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ver the last few years, the Queensland Government has been allowing certain state schools to become independent public schools. The Independent Public Schools initiative recognises that the best decision-making often occurs at a local level, enabling direct response to local community needs and aspirations. By becoming an Independent Public School, the Principal and community of that school have greater control and ownership over their school and their destiny.
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The Independent Public School initiative allows independent schools opportunities to: • Enhance local governance, • Advance innovation, • Tailor a workforce to meet their needs. • Create financial flexibility, • Build for the future, and • Be publically accountable, transparent and performance-based. Independent Public School are afforded greater
Your Local Families Magazine - February/March 2016
freedom to shape their strategic direction and to make research-based decisions which will directly benefit their students. They have the ability to work closely with local business, industry and community organisations. This new way of working will lead to unique and innovative partnerships and sponsorships, providing additional opportunities for the students of, and the local community around, independent schools. These schools also have greater flexibility to tailor the delivery of, and access to, curriculum to more effectively meet the needs of our 21st century students.