BOSTES 35/16

Who needs to read this notice:

Principals of individual non-government schools due to apply for renewal of registration in 2017

Effective immediately

The outcomes of the BOSTES Review require amendment to the legislation that underpins the BOSTES’ functions, including the requirements for the registration of schools. 

On Wednesday 21 September 2016, the Government introduced a Bill to Parliament for that purpose.

Subject to the Bill being enacted, BOSTES expects that the evidence required to be maintained in order for a school to be registered will not change, aside from the proposed new financial viability requirement and the replacement of the good character requirement with a fit and proper person requirement.

However, the breadth and depth of the material to be uploaded by schools with an application for renewal of registration, and the material to be reviewed during an inspection, will vary according to a new risk assessment process, as recommended by the Review report. The new risk assessment process will also have regard to the determinants of student learning.

As part of the risk assessment process, the Review recommended that all school principals be required to certify compliance with the registration requirements. In addition to the certification, schools assessed as low risk will provide material demonstrating a basic level of assurance while schools assessed as higher risk will be required to provide materials related to the risk profile of the school.

Currently, the application form for renewal of registration is available on the BOSTES RANGS Online website. However, subject to the passage of the Bill before Parliament and the implementation of a new risk assessment process, not all schools seeking renewal of registration in 2017 will be required to complete the current application form. New forms will be developed and schools will be notified of the particular form to be completed.

Following consultation with key stakeholders, it is expected that details of these changes will be issued later this term.

For schools seeking initial registration to commence in 2018, the current application forms apply.

If you have any questions about this information, please contact the BOSTES School Registration and Accreditation Standards Directorate on telephone 02 9367 8432 or email schoolrego@bostes.nsw.edu.au.

For more information, contact:
Anita Yates
Senior Board Inspector, School Registration and Accreditation Standards
anita.yates@bostes.nsw.edu.au
(02) 9367 8214