VPRS 19622 School Charters

Full description

This series is comprised of School Charters prepared by Bulleen Heights School (School No. 5099) (VA 5323). 

In 1994, as part of the Jeff Kennett government's Schools of the Future program, the Department of Education (VA 3098) introduced Quality Assurance in Victorian Schools: An Accountability Framework. This framework aimed to shift school management from centralised Department control to self-management by local school communities. It applied to all primary and secondary schools in Victoria, allowing them to make decisions regarding effective learning provision and resource allocation, both human and financial, to meet local priorities.

Self-management was guided by school councils and region-approved school charters, implemented through global budgets and school-based program budgeting. School charters outlined a school's vision, ethos, objectives, and priorities over a three-year period, detailing strategies for achieving goals and evaluating progress. Program budgeting allocated funds across curriculum areas based on school-identified needs, balancing government funding with local fundraising efforts while adhering to state-wide guidelines. A Code of Conduct defined expected student behaviour and disciplinary measures for misconduct. 

The accountability framework consisted of three key elements: the school charter, an annual report, and a triennial school review. The charter functioned as a formal agreement between the school council president, the principal, and the Director of School Education (later the Secretary of the Department).  School Charters are no longer produced, likely due to legislative changes in 2006.  School Charters went on to be replaced by the School Strategic Plan. 

The focus of each charter was on planned, coherent, and continuous improvement, presented in a standardised format specified by the Department of Education (VA 5283) or its predecessors. Each charter provided information under five key sections:

1. School profile (background on the school, such as history, demographics, etc);
2. Core purpose statements (goals);
3. Planning for improvement (priorities, curriculum, budget, accountability);
4. Codes of practice (school council, principal class, staff and community);
5. Code of conduct for students.