Primary school embraces independence

Vasse Primary School is among the latest to join the ranks of independent public schools in WA, after more than a year in the making.

Along with West Busselton Primary School which also started Term 1 this week as an IPS for the first time, 255 schools were now operating as independent Statewide, representing a third of the public system.

Busselton Senior High and Busselton Primary are the only public schools in the region to have not made the change.

Vasse principal Brian Devereux said working towards greater flexibility and autonomy in how the school was run dated back to when the application was made in 2011.

Mr Devereux said an exciting benefit was being able to “cherry pick” quality educators, with the option to fill gaps in the proportion of males or target young teachers to supplement those with more experience.

“Twelve new staff members were advertised, recruited and employed by November, ” he said.

“We are able to balance the blend of staff to suit the needs of the school and students.”

Other advantages included managing the budget to direct funding to areas of need and having freedom to make choices such as on appropriate support services.

“Accountability is to a board of elected parents, staff and community members who have intimate knowledge of the school and its clients, rather than the more distant Education Department representative, ” Mr Devereux said.

While acknowledging more control meant extra administrative requirements in his role, the principal believed it was “meaningful, positive, constructive work” and there would be little impact on teacher workload.