Correspondence School CEO to step down

The Correspondence School Chief Executive to step down

Rod Browning, Chief Executive of The Correspondence School (TCS), has resigned and will leave the school in January 2004.

His resignation comes after four years of leading a wide ranging change programme that this month saw the school - New Zealand's largest - receive a positive assessment from the Education Review Office (ERO).

Said the Chair of The Correspondence School Board of Trustees, Paul Carpinter:

"The Board originally employed Mr Browning for a fixed term of three years to oversee the change process. We asked him to stay on for a further year, and to his credit, he agreed. That meant a further year in Wellington, even though he was planning a future in Christchurch."

"When Mr Browning took up the position, the school's future was far from certain. He has given the school its future".

"The recent ERO review, correctly in my view, ascribes a great deal of the credit for the school's significantly improved performance to the CEO."

"He has selected, retained and motivated a very strong second tier management team, and that in my mind is by far the most important role for a CEO."

"Mr Browning has managed a very complicated organisation very well and restored the standing of The Correspondence School with the teaching profession."

Mr Carpinter said the Board wished to thank Mr Browning for his significant contribution to distance education in New Zealand, and wished him well for the future.

The Board will be considering options for the future of the CEO role, taking into account the recommendations of the ERO review.

The Correspondence School is New Zealand's largest school with over 20,000 students at any one time, and more than 30,000 enrolling over a year.

The school is made up of four schools, Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary and Specialist Services.

It has more Maori and at-risk students than any other school in New Zealand.

For more information on The Correspondence School visit www.correspondence.school.nz

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