Radford College Board Exodus Over Controversial Fee Hike
Radford College in Canberra is facing significant internal turmoil as three board members have resigned in recent months, following a controversial decision to implement a substantial fee increase for the 2026 academic year. The move has sparked a public backlash from parents and raised concerns about potential reputational damage to the prestigious private institution.
Education Expert Resigns Over Fee Strategy
Leading national education expert Professor Barney Dalgarno has resigned from Radford College's board, citing fundamental disagreements with the school's approach to implementing a hefty 23% fee increase. The outgoing Dean of Education at the University of Canberra expressed concern that the single-year hike could damage the school's reputation and potentially affect future enrolments.
"I think it's clear that school community expectations were such that a more modest increase and a period of transition towards a balanced budget would have been much more acceptable than such a large increase in one year," Professor Dalgarno told media sources. He suggested that staggering the increase over two or three years would have been a more prudent approach that better respected community expectations.
Board Defends Fee Increase Decision
Radford College board chair Vicki Williams defended the decision in a formal statement, noting that all directors had supported the fee increase when it was considered and approved by the board in 2025. She emphasized that the board had carefully examined various options, including whether to implement the increase gradually, but ultimately determined that staggering was not feasible given the school's financial circumstances.
"The entire board agreed that this was not feasible," Mrs Williams stated, adding that the college would continue working with individual families to help them navigate their personal circumstances in relation to the fee adjustment.
Multiple Board Members Depart
Professor Dalgarno is not alone in his departure from the Radford College board. He submitted his resignation on November 25, 2025, joining two other board members who have recently left their positions. Jocelyn Martin, who had a 19-year association with the college as a parent, former business manager, and founder of the Radford College Development Foundation, has also resigned.
Ms Martin cited her need to focus on her role as managing director of the Housing Industry Association but also expressed disappointment with the tone of the public campaign against the fee increase. She noted that board members had faced abuse in the school's car park and criticized what she described as "a small group of parents" using media and social media to damage the college's reputation.
Financial Pressures and Community Expectations
The fee increase, announced in early November, follows more modest rises in the previous two years. School administration has stated that the adjustment is necessary to address a higher-than-expected deficit resulting from a 2024 accounting error, combined with rising operational costs not previously budgeted for.
Both departing board members acknowledged the financial pressures facing the institution, particularly regarding teacher salaries which represent the largest component of the school's budget. Professor Dalgarno emphasized that he remained fully supportive of the academic vision put forward by principal Chris Bradbury and recognized that delivering high-quality education comes with significant costs.
"The cost of providing a high quality education is significant and teachers' salaries have gone up nationally. All schools, both public and independent, have experienced that," he noted.
Comparative Fee Analysis
Despite the substantial increase, Radford College maintains that its fees remain significantly more affordable than those charged by elite private schools in Australia. Annual tuition fees at Radford range from $16,635 for kindergarten to $25,950 for Year 12 students.
This compares to Canberra Grammar School, where fees range from $24,825 to $34,880 annually, and Sydney Grammar School, which charges $52,410 in annual tuition across all year levels. Ms Martin defended the school's position by stating, "We're delivering an amazing product, and it's still a lot cheaper than the grammar schools."
Ongoing Community Impact
The controversy highlights the delicate balance private educational institutions must maintain between financial sustainability and community expectations. As Radford College navigates this challenging period, the board exodus and public debate underscore the complex relationship between school governance, financial management, and parent satisfaction in Australia's private education sector.
The school now faces the dual challenge of addressing its budgetary requirements while managing community relations and maintaining its reputation as a leading educational institution in the Canberra region.
