John Leslie Bennett is an Australian educator. He is Conjoint Professor of Education at the University of New South Wales

University of New South Wales

The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...

. Bennett was Chief Executive of the Office of the Board of Studies (OBOS) from 2002 to 2009.

Bennett began his career as a teacher of mathematics at Maitland Boys' High School

Maitland High School

Maitland High School is situated in East Maitland, New South Wales, Australia on High Street. Established in 1884 and operated by the New South Wales Department of Education and Training, the school currently caters for approximately 800 students from Years 7 to 12, and is situated near its sister...

 in 1968. He was appointed as Head of Mathematics at Dover Heights Girls' High School

Rose Bay Secondary College

Rose Bay Secondary College is a co-educational public high school located in the Sydney suburb of Dover Heights, in New South Wales, Australia...

 in 1978. From 1986 Bennett held a variety of positions in assessment and information services with OBOS and its precursor. He was appointed General Manager (Chief Executive) in December 2002.

During his term as Chief Executive, Bennett oversaw the implementation of significant changes to the Higher School Certificate, including standards-referenced assessment and reporting, onscreen marking of examinations, a mandatory course in academic integrity and the release of HSC results by SMS.

In 2009 Bennett was awarded the Wyndham Medal by the Australian College of Educators

Australian College of Educators

The Australian College of Educators is the principal organisation representing the field of teaching and education in Australia, and acts as the independent interest body for Australian teachers...

for his leadership and intellectual contribution.