Public School Review

Purpose

All Western Australian public schools are reviewed by the Department of Education’s Public School Accountability directorate. A review gives assurance to the local community, the Minister for Education and Training and the Director General about the performance of public schools in delivering high quality education to its students. The review acknowledges the achievements of the school and gives feedback to support the principal and staff with their improvement planning. 

Initially conducted on a three-year cycle, subsequent reviews are determined to occur on a one, three or five-year timeframe. 

The principal provides the review team with a self-assessment of the school’s performance based on evidence from the school. Information to be validated by the review team is considered before and during the school visit. This forms the basis for the school review report and determines when the next review will occur. The report is provided to the principal, the chair of the school council/board and the regional executive director.

School self-assessment validation

 The Principal submitted a school self-assessment with evidence and reflections aligned to the domains of the School Improvement Accountability Framework. 

The following aspects of the school’s self-assessment process are confirmed:

  • A range of teachers, allied professionals, parents and school leaders provided feedback and engaged enthusiastically in discussion during the validation visit, adding significant value to the school’s self-assessment.
  • A culture of continuous reflection was evident in the school’s Electronic School Assessment Tool (ESAT) submission, as well as in the feedback provided from leaders and staff during the validation visit.
  • High levels of ownership for student success and ongoing improvement were demonstrated by staff at all levels during validation visit meetings.
  • There is a coherence in the cultural elements of school processes and practices leading to continuous school improvement. 

The following recommendation is made: 

  • Continue to refine school self-assessment processes through the use of whole-school data to inform decision making.