The sudden departure last week of disgraced Cranbrook headmaster Nicholas Sampson reminds us yet again that some private schools remain hopelessly adrift from the communities in which they operate. Worse, they are apparently ignorant of the global revolution in institutional openness and transparency. Such schools behave as if the basic rules of good governance and accountability do not apply to them.
Their councils, headmasters and administrators repudiate public and media interest in their affairs, forgetting that malfeasance and “keeping secrets” will ultimately damage their reputations far more than simply being open and accountable – with both positive and negative information. This guiding principle applies in relation to communication with parents, students, teachers, administrative staff and the community.The so-described “transparency revolution” that has swept the world since the internet came into common usage has turned institutions from the church, the monarchy and governments inside ou