Services
Operational Reviews for Schools, Sports Programs & Educational Enterprises Independent, Evidence-Based Reviews to Strengthen Your Program
When a school or educational program is growing, facing challenges, or simply ready for a pulse check, an operational review offers clarity. Dr. Paul Teys provides high-impact, independent reviews that affirm your strengths and identify practical steps for improvement—without disruption or blame.
This service is designed for school-affiliated programs, co-curricular offerings (like sport or music), and independent youth development providers who want to lift performance, accountability, communication, and stakeholder trust.
Why Commission an Operational Review?
An operational review brings a fresh set of eyes to:
- Clarify concerns raised by stakeholders (staff, families, boards)
- Assess governance, compliance, and safety frameworks
- Strengthen alignment with school culture and educational values
- Identify opportunities to improve communication, policies, and leadership practice
- Build trust by responding to feedback in a transparent, ethical way
Each review is customised to context but typically includes:
- Program Diagnostics
Analysis of your policies, procedures, and program design against best practice and sector standards. - Stakeholder Voice
Structured interviews with staff, families, and leadership to capture the lived experience—not just the paper trail. - Survey Data
A tailored, confidential survey designed to collect actionable feedback from families and participants. - Practical Recommendations
Clear, proportionate suggestions for improvement across areas like communication, complaints handling, staff development, and parent engagement. - Final Report
A professionally written, evidence-informed report that can be shared with staff, boards, or community as needed.
In early 2025, Paul conducted an operational review of a well-established youth sporting program affiliated with independent schools in Sydney. The review involved policy analysis, interviews with over a dozen stakeholders, and a parent survey.
Key outcomes included:
- A refined complaints handling process
- A revised set of inclusive, contemporary policies
- Clearer athlete progression frameworks
- Improved parent onboarding resources
- Better alignment between program and school expectations
The review strengthened community trust and allowed leadership to take confident, well-supported steps forward.
This service is ideal for:
- School principals and boards managing third-party programs (sport, music, tutoring)
- Program owners seeking growth, refinement, or independent validation
- Community-based educational providers working in partnership with schools
Comprehensive Application Service
Overview of Services.
My consulting services are designed to be comprehensive and are offered in three distinct phases, ensuring tailored support throughout the entire application and interview process.
Phase 1. Application Preparation
- Cover Letter Development. Collaborative crafting of a compelling cover letter tailored to the executive position, ensuring alignment with the candidate information statement.
- CV Enhancement. Refinement of your existing CV to highlight relevant experiences and qualifications that align to the specific demands and culture of the destination school.
- Criteria Response Statement. Assistance in developing a robust statement addressing the specific selection criteria for the role.
Phase 2. Interview Advancement
- Interview Preparation. Comprehensive preparation for initial recruiter screening and subsequent panel interviews, including multiple iterations to refine your approach.
- Mock Interview Questions. Provision of draft interview questions and guidance on formulating insightful questions for the interview panel.
- Presentation Development. Support in creating a 5-10 minute presentation for the panel, critical to demonstrating your vision and leadership style.
- Final Interview Coaching. Strategic advice for the final interview stages.
Phase 3. Contract Negotiation
- Negotiation Assistance. Expert support during contract negotiations to secure terms that reflect your experience and value to the school. I provide expert guidance on the terms, conditions, and benefits that are appropriate for an executive position in independent schools, drawing on extensive experience. I offer market value advice and insight into which clauses are standard or should be avoided. However, please note that my advice is based on industry knowledge and experience, not legal expertise. For legal advice, I can recommend a great lawyer who works in this space.
Commitment to Excellence
I understand the depth of preparation required for such a pivotal role. Rest assured, I will be with you every step of the way, available on-call as needed, to ensure you are fully prepared and confident at each stage of the process.
Why Work With Paul?
With decades of experience leading schools and consulting across Australia, Dr. Paul Teys brings professional insight, emotional intelligence, and practical strategy to every engagement. His reviews are thorough but respectful—affirming what’s working while identifying where you can lead even better.
Ready to Learn More?
Book an introductory consultation to explore whether an operational review is right for your context.
