Survey reveals half of Launceston Grammar staff lack confidence in leadership team

A culture survey conducted by a prestigious Tasmanian private school has revealed that only 30 per cent of its staff have confidence in the school’s leadership.

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JUST 30 per cent of staff at an elite Launceston school have confidence in the leadership team’s ability, a survey has revealed.

A number of Launceston Grammar staff called for the immediate removal of headmaster Richard Ford after three motions of no confidence were passed against him.

Following the second motion of no confidence, the school board commissioned a culture survey with the aim of providing a “warts and all” account of issues at the school.

Independent Education Union assistant secretary David Brear said one of the main concerns from staff was that the survey only provided an opportunity to comment on the school executive as a group, and not specifically on Mr Ford’s performance.

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“These survey results are really troubling but would have been much worse if the questions were framed around the leadership of the headmaster rather than the broader executive group,” he said.

“My understanding is that many written comments made by staff praise the Heads of School but are highly critical of the headmaster.”

Mr Brear said the rest of the results spoke for themselves, with the survey being in no way driven by the union.

The Mercury understands only 30 per cent of staff surveyed had confidence in the ability of the school executive — a figure 46 per cent lower that similar schools Grammar was benchmarked against.

Launceston Church Grammar.

Only 24 per cent of staff thought communication channels across the school were good, and 28 per cent of staff thought it was clear who had responsibility for what.

Just 40 per cent of staff believed a complaint or report would be taken seriously, and 29 per cent of staff thought the executive kept people informed.

Almost half of staff surveyed thought the future of the school was positive.

Headmaster Richard Ford said the culture survey was designed as a starting point for conversation and action.

“The school will now undertake a programme of focused staff and leadership development over the next 12 months and beyond,” he said.

“The survey found that 71 per cent of staff are engaged with the school and job satisfaction is very high, with 90 per cent reporting they enjoy the type of work they do and 80 per cent indicating they are proud to tell people they work for Launceston Grammar.”

Mr Ford said 86 per cent of staff recognised the school had a strong focus on achieving positive outcomes, and 85 per cent knew the school was committed to providing excellent education and outcomes for students.

Staff will have the opportunity to comment specifically on Mr Ford’s leadership and broader executive as part of a survey being conducted by the IEU.

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