Barker College is excited to announce that the School has been recognised in The Educator’s 5-Star Employers of Choice 2026, a prestigious acknowledgement of excellence in workplace culture, employee satisfaction and people-first leadership across the Australian education sector.
The annual report by The Educator highlights organisations that are setting a benchmark for employee experience, based primarily on anonymous staff feedback across key areas including culture, compensation, professional development and diversity and inclusion. Only institutions that achieved a 75% or higher employee satisfaction rating were awarded 5-Star status, underscoring the significance of this recognition.
Barker’s inclusion reflects its strong commitment to fostering a supportive, collaborative and forward-thinking work environment.
Under the leadership of Phillip Heath, the School has developed a holistic employee engagement strategy that prioritises professional development, wellbeing and a strong sense of community. Staff benefit from a modern approach to recruitment, retention and wellbeing, alongside access to a vibrant and purpose-driven workplace.
“We once spent time on a strategy day trying to articulate the vibe of Barker. And we couldn’t. It’s how people feel about coming to work here every day,” says Deputy Head of People & Culture, Alison Binet. “Contribution to culture comes from the Chair, the Head, through to every person in their role, whether it be in the gardens, grounds, catering or in the classroom. It’s very much that values alignment piece that supports a strong culture.”
Barker’s employee engagement strategy provides broad professional development opportunities and a sense of community within a large education workforce, connected by a mutually agreed mission to inspire every learner, every experience, every day.
This recognition comes at a critical time for the education sector, where teacher wellbeing, retention and workplace culture are increasingly important. The report notes that work-life balance, job security and supportive environments have emerged as top priorities for education professionals in 2026.