Scathing report into independent public schools in WA

The West Australian Government has announced another 73 state schools will become Independent Public Schools (IPS) next year, taking the total number of campuses in the program to 524.

The news comes barely a month after a parliamentary committee released a scathing review of the IPS model, suggesting it was exacerbating inequalities within the public school sector.

The Education and Health Standing Committee found the system had failed to improve student outcomes since its inception in 2010.

It also found it was unsustainable for some schools to remain outside the IPS system, because they would be expected to take teachers rejected by IPS schools.

More than 120 schools had applied to become independent in 2017, with the Education Department initially planning to approve 50.

But Education Minister Peter Collier said that figure was expanded due to the high quality of the candidates.

"Such a strong field of schools were deemed ready to become Independent Public Schools that we could not deny them this great opportunity," he said.

Six of the new IPS campuses are new schools set to open their doors in 2017, including primary schools in Harrisdale, Alkimos and Baldivis.

Mr Collier, who rejected last month's criticism's of IPS, has again backed the program.

"Now the schools and the community are voting with their feet," he said.

"We would not have well over 100 schools desperate to become IPS if the structure of the program wasn't popular."The Minister remained adamant that while improved student outcomes had not been the primary focus of IPS, it was clear those results were beginning to be achieved.

"We have had in Western Australia a significant improvement, a greater improvement in NAPLAN results than any other state in the nation," he said.

"Now that doesn't come by accident.

"I've got no doubt whatsoever that IPS will contribute to improving standards, but at the same time empower local communities."