“Governance in independent schools in 2022 isn’t anywhere where it needs to be. Many are stuck in the 1960s. Parents need to demand more from governing councils and boards should be much more open to questions,” he said.
The Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) will provide governance training to more than 250 independent school board members across the state,with plans for the program to be expanded to boards at almost 500 independent schools. The program will be run in partnership with the Association of Independent Schools of NSW.
It comes as the King’s School in North Parramatta is put under the spotlight after theHerald revealed anold boys’ representative on the board quit over plans to fly the headmaster,his wife and deputy business class to the UK to watch the rowing team compete at the Henley Royal Regatta,and the school confirmed plans toinstall a plunge pool at the headmaster’s residence.
“None of this stuff passes the pub test,” Simpson said. “Parents have a right to question decisions. Given the turbulent state of school governance the timing[of the program] is right.”
“Standards need to improve significantly and board members need to exercise probity and be passionate about education,” Simpson said,noting the training from the institute of company directors was “long overdue”.
Head of the Association of Independent Schools of NSW Geoff Newcombe said governance training is vital given the diversity and scale of private schools,which educate more than 220,000 students at more than 500 schools and campuses.