Tasmanian primary schools to be part of 'multi-school organisation' trial that follows UK model

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Three public primary schools in suburban and outer Hobart will participate in a "multi-school organisation" trial, based on a concept widely adopted in the UK. They will share an executive leadership team and have greater resource-sharing during the five-year trial, which could expand to more schools.

Transcript

00:00These students at Risdon Primary School are learning to read.

00:07If something is numerous it exists in large numbers.

00:12They don't know it yet but their school will be one of the first to take part in a new education trial.

00:18The government is hoping will help Tasmania's lagging education system.

00:23We are seeing record investment across Tasmania

00:26and yet still we don't quite have the educational outcomes that we want for our children.

00:31We don't have the attendance rates we want, the retention rates, the attainment rates.

00:36Adapted from a model in the UK, the trial will bring together Risdon Primary School

00:41with Newtown and Moona Primary Schools to create a multi-school organisation or MSO.

00:48Above those three schools will sit an executive team.

00:51The government says it will be able to handle a lot of the school's administrative needs

00:56like human resources or developing educational strategies.

01:00And it will allow schools to share some resources like specialty teachers.

01:05Then we really become instructional leaders.

01:08Our work is around what do our teachers need in terms of professional learning

01:13and how are we making sure that the work that's happening in the classroom is the right work.

01:18A 2024 study by the Grattan Institute found effective MSOs increased the odds of school improvement

01:26and recommended Australia try the model.

01:29But the union is concerned there's too much focus on one solution and not enough consultation.

01:36This is so frustrating that this minister has got this little pet project that she wants to roll out

01:41instead of actually listening to what changes need to be made.

01:44You've got to take them on the journey too. For the minister to pick something up from overseas

01:49and impose her will on the system I think could end in a very bad way.

01:54You cannot look at the educational outcomes of our kids right now.

01:58You cannot look at the wellbeing of our teachers and our principals right now

02:02and say let's just not do anything and maybe we'll have a better outcome next year.

02:06I can't do that.

02:08The five year trial will begin next year with three schools.

02:12Another MSO will be formed in the second year.

02:15After that the first will be expanded to include more schools.

02:19By the fifth year there will be up to 30 schools involved.

02:22The government says the trial will be evaluated throughout

02:26and there will be an independent evaluation in the fourth year.

02:29T

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