More schools apply for independent status

More than 130 primary, secondary, district high schools and education support centres have put up their hands to take on Independent Public School status from 2011 in a bid to deliver better education to their students.

Education Minister Liz Constable said the Liberal-National Government's Independent Public School initiative, which gives greater autonomy to schools while still providing the support and benefits of the public school system, was one of the State Government's key election commitments.

"It is pleasing to see such diversity in the expressions of interest - schools from as far north as Port Hedland and as far south as Albany, and from a broad range of socio-economic areas have applied," Dr Constable said.

"The early feedback from the first 34 Independent Public Schools has been overwhelmingly positive - schools and their communities have reported that the greater freedom and responsibility to ensure students have the best possible learning opportunities and outcomes has instilled a greater sense of school pride and ownership.

"Principals of those schools have also reported great interest from teachers keen to work in Independent Public Schools, which can now select staff to best match schools' needs."

Independent Public Schools have the ability to make decisions about their own curriculum, staffing configuration, school resources and expenditure.

"Community members, who are elected to school boards, provide valuable input into the strategic direction of schools and have a say in the selection of principals when positions become vacant," the Minister said.

"Principals and staff have more local authority and freedom from central policies and procedures, but the schools will still be part of the public school system and remain accountable to the director general."

An independent panel will now assess individually the 132 expressions of interest using the same rigorous process and criteria used to select the initial intake in 2009.

The successful schools which form the second intake of Independent Public Schools will be announced in July and they will then prepare to start as Independent Public Schools at the beginning of the 2011 school year.

A full list of the interested schools can be found at http://www.det.wa.edu.au/schoolsandyou or by calling 9264 4111.