The NSW government is committed to Local Schools Local Decisions. As part of its implementation in all schools, the Commonwealth Government National Partnership on Empowering Local Schools will be the first opportunity for approximately 230 schools to be involved with all Australian States and Territories to enhance schools‟ capacity to make decisions at a local level. The attached selection criteria have been developed to identify schools that are strongly placed to experience success in a more devolved decision-making environment.

 

Under the National Partnership, enhanced decision-making at the school level will occur in the following

areas:

• governance (including consultative and evidence-based planning and reporting)
• funding and infrastructure (including financial planning, budget management, decisions on minor capital works, maintenance and purchasing)
• workforce (in particular, alignment of the school staffing profile including teaching, leadership and support positions to the needs of students and the school community).

The criteria developed for the Expression of Interest provide the contextual information required to assist in the selection of schools. These criteria have focussed on areas that demonstrate the potential and level of readiness for schools to operate in an enhanced decision-making environment as identified in the Commonwealth Government guidelines.

 

Schools will participate in a comprehensive suite of professional learning and training for school leaders to assist them to manage a more flexible workplace environment. They will also be required to participate in an independent evaluation process commissioned by the Commonwealth.

 

School leaders have asked for more detail about the expectations for volunteering for the initiative. When you volunteer you will be a pioneer and part of the design and development of a new system that will support better systems and processes in our schools.

 

• All schools will be able to make local decisions reflecting their specific context to improve outcomes for students.
• Schools will receive $40,000 - $50,000 as a one-off payment.
• The school may be part of the LMBR initial implementation phase – up to 160 schools will be in the first tranche in 2012 with the remainder to follow.
• School leaders will be given more flexibility to make decisions about financial and human resources.
• The school will work with a new funding model for 2013.
• Some of the school‟s systems and processes will change as the LMBR systems are implemented.
• The school will receive professional learning to complement a new skills set.
• School staff in the LMBR program will receive individual and group support from the LMBR team in implementing systems. This will involve specific training.
• Principals will receive the benefit of coaching and mentoring from some of the 47 pilot school principals who have experienced a more flexible decision making approach.