SCHOOL COUNCIL SELF-ASSESSMENT TOOL

+Rating scale
1 emerging - We are beginning to do this
2 evolving - We are working this into our systems and routines
3 established - We consistently do this and we do it very well


     

     

Name: 


  1. Governance

    School Council:

            1 2 3       Can't Comment Yet
      • members have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. Emerging Established  
      • understands the legislative framework of the Acts, regulations and ministerial orders that underpin their authority. Emerging Established  
      • discussions and actions collectively reflect an understanding of and commitment to the Code of Conduct for Directors of Victorian Public Entities Emerging Established  
      • discussion and decisions reflect an understanding of their role and the differences between the governance role of council and the operational role of the principal and school administration. Emerging Established  
      • is able to identify and manage apparent and actual conflicts of interest. Emerging Established  


  1. School council operations

    School council:

            1 2 3       Can't Comment Yet
      • uses a set of Standing Orders that are reviewed annually Emerging Established  
      • meets with an appropriate quorum at least 8 times per year Emerging Established  
      • circulates meeting agenda and papers to members at least five days prior to the meeting Emerging Established  
      • takes meeting minutes to record items discussed and decisions made Emerging Established  
      • has delegated school council powers and functions where appropriate. Emerging Established  
      • uses subcommittees and working groups to effectively manage school council business. Emerging Established  
      • holds a public meeting annually to report on the proceedings of council for the period since the previous public meeting, present the Annual Report to the School Community and present a copy of the accounts of the council, if they have been audited. Emerging Established  


  1. Strategic planning for school improvement

            1 2 3       Can't Comment Yet
      • The school council has a shared purpose focused on the best possible educational outcomes for students at their school. Emerging Established  
      School council understands: the school’s values, vision and mission Emerging Established  
      School council understands: the Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO) and school improvement cycle Emerging Established  
      School council understands: and uses data to evaluate and report on school performance Emerging Established  
      School council understands: its role in the development and monitoring of key processes and documents, including: o School Strategic Plan. o Annual Implementation Plan. o Annual School Self-Evaluation. o Annual Report to the School Community.  Emerging Established  


  1. Finance

    School council:

            1 2 3       Can't Comment Yet
      • understands its role with respect to budgets, procurement, financial controls and reports. Emerging Established  
      • appropriately fulfils its role in approving the annual school budget and monitoring expenditure. Emerging Established  
      • appropriately fulfils its role with respect to the school’s internal controls and financial reports. Emerging Established  
      • appropriately fulfils its role with respect to fundraising, as specified in the Schools Finance Manual. Emerging Established  


  1. Policy development and review

    School Council understands:


            1 2 3       Can't Comment Yet
      • the role and purpose of policy in school governance. Emerging Established  
      • which school policies fall within its powers and functions and has processes in place to ensure those policies are appropriately reviewed, approved and recorded on a school register (see guidance below). Emerging Established  
      • how to develop policies consistently with DET guidance and resources (for guidance, see information on school policies template below). Emerging Established  
      • how to write school policies that are accessible to the community, which achieve their intended purpose and best meet the needs of the school, its students and the community (including alignment with the School Strategic Plan and address educational, social and cultural diversity). Emerging Established  
      • which school policies require further community consultation and the nature and extent of this consultation for each policy. Emerging Established  


  1. Community engagement

    School council…

            1 2 3       Can't Comment Yet
      • understands the benefits of engaging with the community Emerging Established  
      • includes members who reflect the diversity of their community. Emerging Established  
      • knows and engages with the school’s community to build productive relationships Emerging Established  
      • productively leads consultation with the community through meetings, surveys and informally Emerging Established  
      • shares information using reports, newsletters, social media etc, with the school community, as appropriate Emerging Established  
      • members support school council decisions in the school community. Emerging Established  


  1. School council president

    The school council president…

            1 2 3       Can't Comment Yet
      • understands their leadership role and responsibilities and those of the principal. Emerging Established  
      • understands the characteristics of an effective school council Emerging Established  
      • runs school council meetings appropriately according to the Standing Orders Emerging Established  
      • engages all members in frank, open and respectful discussion Emerging Established  
      • understands the processes for effectively making decisions Emerging Established  
      • effectively resolves conflict, disagreements, concerns and complaints. Emerging Established  


  1. Previous school council training completed:

    Have you completed any of these Training Modules in the last two years:
    Yes
    No


  1. Previous school council training completed:

    Have you completed any of these Training Modules in the last two years:

            1 2      
      Governance Yes No  
      Strategic planning Yes No  
      Finance Yes No  
      School Council president Yes No  


  1. From the self-assessment…
    Training / projects / actions to address areas identified for school council’s development:






Anonymous Anonymous
Hoppers Crossing Secondary College
Hoppers Crossing, Victoria