Clayton Park School

1 Context

Clayton Park School caters for students in Years 1 to 8. The roll is currently 383 students, of whom 48% are Māori and 28% are Pacific. The school celebrates more than 13 nationalities. The different ethnicities of students and their families, whānau and aiga are reflected in the members of the staff and board. Trustees and leaders ensure that the school supports the interests and cultural backgrounds of its students and their families. A significant number of teachers are new to the school, having been appointed over the past year.

The school continues to work with Ministry of Education to replace buildings with modern learning environments. The administration area has been rebuilt. Future developments to replace learning spaces are planned, with the aim to be fully operational from late 2018.

2 Equity and excellence

The vision and valued outcomes defined by the school for all children are 'the best for each child, ko te pai rawa mo ia tamaiti; the best from each child, ko te pai mai ia tamaiti'. The school's strategic goals clearly outline what it means for adults and students. There is an expectation that all students will be supported to achieve their maximum potential.

The school's values are expressed as ARISE (aroha, respect, initiative, integrity, safety and engaged in learning industry) and focus on relationships for teacher practice and student learning.

The school’s achievement information shows that across the past three years, over 70% of Māori students achieve at or above in relation to National Standards in reading and mathematics. In 2015, half were assessed as achieving at or above National Standards expectation in writing. This represents a considerable drop from previous years. Pacific students' achievement across the school is yet to match other groups. School data shows that the trajectory of learning for students builds over time, with rates of progress improving the longer students remain at the school.

Leaders and teachers collaboratively form overall teacher judgements (OTJs) about progress and achievement. These are moderated across the school. School leaders have identified the need to continue to improve the quality and consistency of these judgements in relation to National Standards.

Since the last ERO evaluation the school has:

• worked to enhance student engagement by introducing the practice of bring your own devices (BYOD) in the senior school and increased provision, access and use of digital technologies across the school
• restructured and strengthened the Māori Enrichment programme
• revised syndicate structures to year-level studios to enable better teacher collaboration
• continued to build positive partnerships with parents, whānau, aiga and the wider community.

3 Accelerating achievement

How effectively does this school respond to Māori children whose learning and achievement need acceleration?

The school's data from 2015 indicates accelerated progress for many Māori students, particularly in mathematics. However, insufficient progress has been made by some students who have been identified as underachieving.

In order to accelerate the progress of underachieving students, trustees, leaders and teachers have:  

• continued the successful mathematics intervention into 2016, to include a greater number of students
• identified students whose learning is at risk and implemented an extensive range of interventions to promote accelerated progress
• worked collaboratively to track and monitor their progress overtime
• formed measurable performance goals differentiated for each year level, Māori and Pacific students in reading, writing and mathematics
• acknowledged and valued the language, identity and culture of Māori students and their whānau and have welcomed whānau as partners in their child’s learning.

How effectively does this school respond to other children whose learning and achievement need acceleration?

The school responds to other students whose learning and achievement need acceleration by using the strategies identified above.

A systematic, wrap around approach effectively supports students with higher needs.

Data from 2015, shows that the school has yet to accelerate progress for some Pacific students.

4 School conditions

How effectively do the school’s curriculum and other organisational processes and practices develop and enact the school’s vision, values, goals and priorities for equity and excellence?

The school appropriately focuses on the priorities of literacy and mathematics in class programmes. Teaching to needs is evident across classrooms, through workshops, instructional groups and individual conferencing. ARISE values support teachers to implement conditions that promote learning and are visible across the school. There is a culture of high expectations for student success. Staff foster inclusive, respectful and trusting relationships with students and whānau. Difference and diversity are valued.

Students are confident and curious learners. They are an integral part of the welcoming school tone where manaatikanga and whanaungatanga are embedded. They successfully take on a range of leadership roles. Tuakana teina relationships are strongly apparent across the school. 

Teaching and learning is guided by The New Zealand Curriculum. To further promote equitable and excellent outcomes for all students, the following should be developed to assist evaluation of the impact that the curriculum has on student achievement and wellbeing:

• documented guidelines for consistent high quality teaching that reflects current practice
• clearly defined and documented expected outcomes, related to the school vision.

Many Year 4 to 8 students choose to participate in the Māori Enrichment programme, that includes a focus across a range of learning areas in a te ao Māori context. Teachers are incorporating aspects of te reo me ngā tikanga Māori in collaboratively planned studio programmes.

School leaders systematically gather, analyse and use student achievement data to consider student outcomes. Useful and detailed information about student achievement is reported to the board throughout the year. Trustees continue to improve their capability to inquire into the data and make decisions to improve student outcomes. Appropriate schoolwide targets are developed.

Curriculum leaders work collaboratively with teachers to enhance teaching and learning. The board is supportive of building teacher capability. Teachers and school leaders regularly reflect on their practice. A revised appraisal process has been introduced in 2016. This should continue to be developed to ensure it:

• meets accountability requirements
• is robust and improvement focused
• includes promotion of cultural competencies
• focuses on student outcomes.

Teachers are developing strategies that promote students' ownership and responsibility for their learning and engagement. Learning relationships assist students to build their confidence and knowledge to be self-motivated. Digital technologies are increasingly integrated into classroom practice to enhance engagement and support independent learning.

Trustees and leaders consult regularly with their community to assist in decision-making and promote community partnerships to extend students' learning opportunities. Parents, whānau, aiga and the community are welcomed and involved in school activities as respected and valued partners. They participate in learning opportunities that enable them to support and promote their children's learning.

Parents receive information about their children's learning in a range of ways. Written reporting to parents includes students' comments about their progress and achievement of in reading, writing and mathematics against National Standards. 

5 Going forward

How well placed is the school to achieve and sustain equitable and excellent outcomes for all children?

Leaders and teachers:    

• know the children whose learning and achievement need to be accelerated
• respond to the strengths, needs and interests of each child
• regularly evaluate how teaching is working for these children
• need to systematically act on what they know works for each child
• need to have a plan in place to build teacher capability to accelerate the achievement of all children who need it.

The school has a range of tools for targeting teaching and learning to promote acceleration for students below expectation. An evidence-based approach to systematic review and monitoring across the school is embedded at leadership level. School leaders continue to support teachers to more consistently respond to target students, monitor their progress and evaluate the effectiveness of teaching strategies.

Action: The board, principal and teachers should use the findings of this evaluation, the Effective School Evaluation resource, the Internal Evaluation: Good Practice exemplars and the School Evaluation Indicators to develop a Raising Achievement Plan to further develop processes and practices that respond effectively to the strengths and needs of children whose learning and achievement need to be accelerated.

As part of this review ERO will continue to monitor the school’s Raising Achievement plan and the progress the school makes. ERO is likely to carry out the next full review in three years.

6 Board assurance on legal requirements

Before the review the board of trustees and principal of the school completed the ERO board assurance statement and Self Audit Checklists. In these documents they attested that they had taken all reasonable steps to meet their legislative obligations related to the following:

• Board administration
• Curriculum
• Management of health, safety and welfare
• Personnel management
• Asset management.

During the review, ERO checked the following items because they have a potentially high impact on student safety and wellbeing:

• Emotional safety of students (including prevention of bullying and sexual harassment)
• Physical safety of students
• Teacher registration
• Processes for appointing staff
• Stand down, suspensions, expulsions and exclusions
• Attendance
• Compliance with the provisions of the Vulnerable Children Act 2014.

7 Recommendations

ERO recommends that leaders and teachers:

• develop clear guidelines and expectations for effective teaching
• continue to evaluate the impact of the curriculum on achievement and wellbeing. 

Joyce Gebbie
Deputy Chief Review Officer Central

10 August 2016 

About the school