Raising concerns
Under the Education Act, the Board of Studies is responsible for making recommendations to the Minister for Education and Training about the registration of non-government schools and for making decisions about the accreditation of non-government schools to present candidates for the School Certificate and Higher School Certificate.The regulatory and accountability requirements for registration and accreditation are detailed in the Registered and Accredited Individual Non-government Schools (NSW) Manual and the Registration Systems and Member Non-government Schools (NSW) Manual. These manuals are available on the Board's website.
The Board monitors compliance of non-government schools and registration systems with these requirements.
The Office of the Board of Studies administers the non-government school registration and accreditation program under delegation from the Board of Studies.
All registered non-government schools are required to have a complaints procedure in place. If a complaint concerns a non-government school, the school is required, where possible and appropriate, to provide an opportunity to resolve the issue.
Complaints can be made to the Office of the Board at any time provided there is clear evidence that options for pursuing the complaint at the school have been pursued without resolution or that there is a compelling reason that this would not be appropriate. An individual or organisation may contact the Office of the Board of Studies for advice on how to raise an issue or proceed with a complaint.
Complaints must be made in writing and include details of:
- the name, address and contact details of the individual(s) or organisation making the complaint;
- the individual(s) or organisation against whom the complaint is being made;
- the issue or matter to which the complaint relates;
- how the complaint relates to the requirements for registration and/or accreditation of non-government schools and/or the requirements for registration systems as detailed in the Board's registration and accreditation manuals;
- evidence that options for pusuing the complaint at the school have been pursued without resolution, or an outline of the compelling reason(s) why this would not be appropriate;
- an account of any other action already taken in relation to the complaint.
Complaints may be directed to the President, Board of Studies or the Manager, Registration and Accreditation, at:
GPO Box 5300
SYDNEY
NSW 2001
Phone: (02)9367 8111
Fax: (02) 9367 8475