Chapel Downs School

Chapel Downs School

Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report

Background

This Profile Report was written within 18 months of the Education Review Office and Chapel Downs School working in Te Ara Huarau, an improvement evaluation approach used in most English Medium State and State Integrated Schools. For more information about Te Ara Huarau see ERO’s website www.ero.govt.nz

Context 

Chapel Downs School is in East Auckland and caters for learners in Years 1-6.  Chapel Downs School’s ‘Care, Nurture and Educate’ approach supports the school’s vision for ākonga and the community of ‘Achieving Together’.

Plans are in place for Chapel Downs School zoning extension and expected roll growth.

Chapel Downs School’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are:

  • Wellbeing, Hauora

  • Partnerships, Kotahitanga

  • Ākonga learning and achievement, Ako.

You can find a copy of the school’s strategic and annual plan on Chapel Downs School’s website.

ERO and the school are working together to evaluate initiatives that are contributing to improved attendance, engagement, progress, and achievement for all ākonga.

The rationale for selecting this evaluation is to:

  • identify strategies that work best for ākonga attendance and engagement at Chapel Downs School

  • know how effectively and consistently teachers integrate strategies into their practice that support all ākonga to attend, progress and achieve

  • build positively on community collaborations that enable ākonga to feel included, cared for, safe and secure and progress and achieve in their learning.

The school expects to see all ākonga regularly attending school and engaging in a responsive curriculum where progress and achievement is evident.  Ākonga will be effectively supported by teachers, parents, whānau and community working together to care, nurture and educate.

Strengths

The school can draw from the following strengths to support its goal of school conditions that contribute to attendance, engagement, progress, and achievement for all ākonga:

  • a care, nurture and educate approach underpins a curriculum strong in foundational learning

  • ākonga demonstrate a strong sense of belonging and connection to the school

  • teachers share high expectations for ākonga progress, achievement, and wellbeing.

Where to next?

Moving forward, the school will prioritise:

  • continue to strengthen monitoring, regular evaluation and reporting of all ākonga attendance and engagement data including impacts on foundational learning areas

  • evaluate initiatives that impact positively on ākonga attendance and engagement, including shared understanding of, and consistency of practice

  • continue to strengthen shared understandings of curriculum goals, teaching and learning and ākonga wellbeing with whānau.

ERO’s role will be to support the school in its evaluation for improvement cycle to improve outcomes for all learners. ERO will support the school in reporting their progress to the community. The next public report on ERO’s website will be a Te Ara Huarau | School Evaluation Report and is due within three years.

Filivaifale Jason Swann
Director Review and Improvement Services (Northern)
Northern Region | Te Tai Raki

22 March 2023 

About the School

The Education Counts website provides further information about the school’s student population, student engagement and student achievement.  educationcounts.govt.nz/home

Chapel Downs School

Board Assurance with Regulatory and Legislative Requirements Report 2022 to 2025

As of April 2022, the Chapel Downs School Board of Trustees has attested to the following regulatory and legislative requirements:

Board Administration

Yes

Curriculum

Yes

Management of Health, Safety and Welfare

Yes

Personnel Management

Yes

Finance

Yes

Assets

Yes

Further Information

For further information please contact Chapel Downs School Board of Trustees.

The next Board of Trustees assurance that it is meeting regulatory and legislative requirements will be reported, along with the Te Ara Huarau | School Evaluation Report, within three years.

Information on ERO’s role and process in this review can be found on the Education Review Office website.

Filivaifale Jason Swann
Director Review and Improvement Services (Northern)
Northern Region | Te Tai Raki

22 March 2023 

About the School

The Education Counts website provides further information about the school’s student population, student engagement and student achievement. educationcounts.govt.nz/home

Chapel Downs School - 19/06/2015

Findings

Chapel Downs School promotes student learning well. Students enjoy and engage in the learning process and benefit from high quality teaching. A settled and inclusive tone in the school supports the learning of all students. There is a focus on engaging the community in learning partnerships and in the life of the school.

ERO is likely to carry out the next review in four-to-five years.

1. Context

What are the important features of this school that have an impact on student learning?

Chapel Downs School caters for students from Years 1 to 6. The students come from diverse cultural backgrounds. Thirteen percent are Māori and 63 percent have Pacific heritage. The onsite early childhood education centre offers a learning pathway into the school for many students.

The board has successfully managed the school through a period of leadership change. Both the school’s long-serving foundation principal and deputy principal have left the school. A new principal was appointed 2012 and a new deputy principal in 2015. The leadership team is focusing on retaining the school’s strengths, connecting with the school’s community and developing culturally responsive teaching practices. Low staff turnover contributes to teachers knowing students and their families well. Students, staff and parents display a strong sense of pride in the school.

The board and senior leaders have consulted with all stakeholders as part of reviewing the school charter, mission statement and values. This consultation has resulted in the mission statement of Achieving Together, which is underpinned by four Māori concepts, Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga, Kōtahitanga and Rangatiratanga. The school community identified six learner dispositions as being essential for students to become confident and capable learners. This shared vision of the Chapel Downs learner who is an “investigator, team player, self manager, communicator, and shows perseverance and respect” is clearly articulated by the leadership team.

Chapel Downs School is a caring and collaborative learning community. The school’s promotion of and response to student wellbeing is extensive. There is a positive tone in the school that supports the learning of all students. Strong relationships and connections underpin all practices. Comprehensive pastoral care programmes and access to a social worker and school nurse for students and families on the school site support students’ wellbeing.

2. Learning

How well does this school use achievement information to make positive changes to learners’ engagement, progress and achievement?

The board, senior leaders and teachers use achievement information well to make positive changes for learners.

Achievement information is used to set school priorities and appropriate achievement targets, and to design curriculum programmes. Teachers use achievement information to plan programmes to cater for students’ different learning strengths and needs.

School achievement information shows that students make very good academic progress over their time at the school. Good systems are in place to support teachers to make reliable achievement judgements in relation to the National Standards. There is clear alignment of assessment practices between the junior and senior school that allows for close ongoing monitoring of students. This information is used to support appropriate targeted actions to raise the achievement of students who are at risk of not achieving to their potential.

Achievement information is also used by senior leaders and teachers to inquire into the effectiveness of teaching practices and to identify relevant professional learning opportunities Teachers could now share further assessment information with students to support students to be more actively involved in decisions about their progress.

Student enjoyment and engagement in learning is clearly evident. Classrooms are visually rich environments and settled places for learning. Students talk about their learning with confidence and support the learning of their peers.

The school’s inclusive and responsive practices support students with special talents and learning needs. Teachers and learning assistants share a commitment to and responsibility for student progress. This shared approach ensures students participate fully in appropriate learning programmes and classroom activities.

3. Curriculum

How effectively does this school’s curriculum promote and support student learning?

The school’s curriculum is effective in promoting and supporting student learning.

Learners experience a coherent and increasingly rich curriculum. The curriculum emphasises literacy and mathematics, with increasing learning opportunities in other curriculum areas, including education outside the classroom and environmental sustainability.

The school is committed to students having positive learning experiences and being successful. The Chapel Downs learning dispositions are a cornerstone of the school curriculum. They set a meaningful vision for students as learners and they guide curriculum development. As a result students are confident in participating in learning processes.

The bicultural heritage of Aotearoa New Zealand is given an important place in the curriculum. Increasing acknowledgment and celebration of cultural diversity is enriching learning opportunities for students. Students’ languages and cultures are evident in curriculum contexts for learning and in the school environment. Teachers value students’ differing cultural backgrounds and help them to develop a strong sense of individual identity. Professional learning is supporting teachers to personalise learning for Māori and Pacific learners.

Teachers deliver the curriculum well. Programmes are well planned and teaching is characterised by high quality practices. Teachers and learning assistants share teaching approaches and ideas, and are well supported by effective professional learning programmes and meaningful staff appraisals.

School leaders and teachers work well with families and early childhood services to support students’ transition into the school. Working partnerships between the school and intermediates need to be strengthened to support students’ transitions into these schools.

ERO and senior leaders identify that curriculum development could include greater student use of digital devices to support their learning.

How effectively does the school promote educational success for Māori, as Māori?

The school promotes educational success for Māori, as Māori effectively.

The school has 74 students who are Māori. They value the board’s and senior leaders’ commitment to lifting the profile of Māori in the school. Māori students have positive attitudes to school and learning and are confident in their individual cultural identity. The school’s information shows that Māori students make very good progress in relation to the National Standards over their time at the school.

Aspects of Māori culture and language are evident in the environment, learning programmes and school practices. Students are encouraged to participate in the school’s strong kapa haka group. Kapa haka is a source of pride for students, the school and its community. It provides good opportunities for Māori student leadership, and promotes discipline, team work, the arts and deeper understanding of tikanga Māori. Teachers take responsibility for delivering te reo Māori lessons, and using te reo in relevant curriculum contexts.

The board and senior leaders have made good use of Ministry of Education resources to plan ways to develop Māori students’ potential. The inclusion of cultural competences for teachers of Māori learners in teachers’ performance appraisals reflects the school’s expectations for teaching practices.

Whānau are made welcome in the school and are increasingly becoming involved in their children’s learning. Senior leaders are building partnerships with the Māori community to promote positive outcomes for Māori students. There is Māori representation on the board and the school seeks guidance from local kaumatua to ensure the māna of tikanga Māori is respected and maintained.

4. Sustainable Performance

How well placed is the school to sustain and improve its performance?

The school is very well placed to sustain and improve its performance.

The board provides effective governance. A unity of purpose is evident through the shared school vision and good working relationships between the board and school leaders. Trustees have good systems to ensure school accountabilities are met. They are well informed about curriculum developments and student achievement. Board decision-making is strategic and is focused on improving outcomes for all students.

Leadership of the school is highly effective. The principal and senior leaders have the knowledge and skills to implement the school’s high expectations for teaching and learning, ensuring that these are very evident in practice. There is a focus on recognising people’s capabilities throughout the school that complements and enhances school development. Strong staff collegiality and team work allow the school to work on meaningful change and support the sustainability of successful initiatives.

The principal has been instrumental in the significant progress that has been made in engaging the community in partnerships for learning and in the life of the school. His vision of the school being a “place that allows the community to shine” is guiding strategic school decisions.

Self review is used very well to sustain and improve the school’s performance. Self review processes are robust and include contributions from different groups of people, including students. Outcomes of ongoing review findings and regular consultation guide the school’s next steps and future directions.

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:

  • board administration
  • curriculum
  • management of health, safety and welfare
  • personnel management
  • financial management
  • asset management.

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

  • emotional safety of students (including prevention of bullying and sexual harassment)
  • physical safety of students
  • teacher registration
  • processes for appointing staff
  • stand-downs, suspensions, expulsions and exclusions
  • attendance.

Conclusion

Chapel Downs School promotes student learning well. Students enjoy and engage in the learning process and benefit from high quality teaching. A settled and inclusive tone in the school supports the learning of all students. There is a focus on engaging the community in learning partnerships and in the life of the school.

ERO is likely to carry out the next review in four-to-five years.

Dale Bailey

Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern

19 June 2015

About the School

Location

Flat Bush, Auckland

Ministry of Education profile number

1581

School type

Contributing (Years 1 to 6)

School roll

588

Gender composition

Boys 51%

Girls 49%

Ethnic composition

Māori

NZ European/Pākehā

Samoan

Cook Island Māori

Indian

Tongan

Cambodian

Niue

Vietnamese

Other Pacific nations

Other ethnicities

13%

4%

40%

12%

8%

6%

3%

3%

2%

2%

7%

Special Features

Early Childhood Education Centre

Review team on site

April 2015

Date of this report

19 June 2015

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

Education Review

Education Review

February 2012

June 2008

June 2005

Chapel Downs School - 13/02/2012

1 Context

What are the important features of this school that have an impact on student learning?

Chapel Downs School is a large school in Flatbush, Auckland, serving students in Years 1 to 6. Its diverse student population is made up of predominantly Maori, Pacific and Indian students. The onsite early childhood education centre offers various community classes through its Family Service Centre. The school’s experienced foundation principal is retiring at the end of Term 1, 2012.

The school has a well developed and maintained school environment and facilities. Classrooms are well resourced and the committed board of trustees, who represent the diversity of the community, work well with the management team and stable teaching staff. There are a growing number of second generation families who continue to live in the area and whose children attend the school.

2 Learning

How well are students learning – engaging, progressing and achieving?

School achievement information shows that many students are achieving well in reading, writing and mathematics. Most students are focused on classroom tasks and work in a settled learning environment. Students have good relationships with teachers and many lessons are well paced and purposeful. Students have good opportunities to learn in well resourced classrooms. Students requiring extra learning support are identified early and targeted interventions are provided.

Teachers make good use of analysed achievement data to monitor the progress of individual students. School leaders are beginning to electronically record student achievement data to enable teachers and managers to more effectively analyse, track and monitor the progress of students. School-wide achievement information should now be extended to focus on the progress of students who are at risk of not achieving National Standards.

ERO recommends that senior leaders strengthen their reporting on achievement by:

  • analysing the achievement data more effectively at all levels to better track the progress over time of cohorts and specific groups of students
  • setting specific, measureable targets that are focused on student progress as well as on achievement, with an emphasis on increased rates of progress for underachieving students
  • reporting regularly to the board on the achievement and progress of students to help trustees make informed decisions
  • evaluating the success of interventions to ensure these are delivering improved outcomes for students.

School leaders and staff are working well towards incorporating the National Standards for reading, writing and mathematics into the school curriculum. The board has set achievement targets against National Standards for 2011 in reading, writing and mathematics. The school has reported to parents with two, plain language, written reports that indicate how well their child is achieving in relation to National Standards.

How well does the school promote Māori student success and success as Māori?

Some Māori students achieve well in reading, writing and mathematics. Teachers monitor the achievement and progress of Māori students in reading, writing and mathematics, although the tracking of progress over time needs to be more robust and focussed on accelerated progress. Targeted support is provided in reading for Māori students needing support.

ERO suggests that to further strengthen Māori student success, teachers could: 

  • develop school goals to enhance Māori identity, language and culture
  • develop shared understandings of Māori success with key stakeholders such as trustees, parents and whānau, teachers and students
  • use the Ministry of Education’s resource for Māori success Ka Hikitia – Managing for Success to plan for successful outcomes for Māori.

 

3 Curriculum

How effectively does this school’s curriculum promote and support student learning?

With external expertise, the school has developed a well designed curriculum plan that aligns well with The New Zealand Curriculum. There is a strong focus on literacy and numeracy and alignment with the National Standards. Curriculum principles and values underpin the design of the school’s curriculum plan, and these are unpacked by teachers and students to form the basis of classroom values and key competencies.

Teachers’ expectations for learning and behaviour are evident and the classroom tone reflects the school’s high expectations for structured learning environments. Students are supported to learn in vibrant, print-rich classrooms. Children are proud of their learning. Attractive portfolios show children’s achievement and are regularly available for parents. Parents, teachers and students set learning goals for the year and review these through student portfolios and three-way interviews. Effective provision is made for students with special needs through early identification and targeted support programmes.

Specialist art and music classes are available for all students. Those students needing support with English receive good support through the specialist ESOL programme. The school could now include more diverse perspectives and culturally relevant learning contexts to further improve student learning outcomes.

4 Sustainable Performance

How well placed is the school to sustain and improve its performance?

The school is well placed to sustain and improve its performance. Its tone, climate and culture provide a secure environment for sustained student learning. School leaders are committed to the vision of the school and articulate its values and high expectations for student learning and behaviour. School management planning provides a good foundation for making strategic decisions.

Teachers have developed indicators of good teaching characteristics that are incorporated into their job descriptions and appraisals. Professional learning and a culture of collaboration between teachers enhances effective teaching practices and strengthens teacher capability.

Although the board have developed a three-year effectiveness review plan, it is still not clear if policies are reviewed through a systematic and transparent process.

ERO recommends that the board and management enhance current practice by: 

  • setting school targets that are more challenging and focused on improving students' rates of progress
  • ensuring that the school's internal self-review process is timely, regular and informs future direction
  • ensuring that policies are systematically reviewed and provide a basis for ongoing school improvement
  • developing more effective strategies for promoting parent and community engagement to inform self review, including strategies aimed at those who are hard to reach or under represented
  • increasing student and parent voice in all areas of school operation
  • incorporating strategies from the Ministry of Education Māori Education Strategy 2008-2012, Ka Hikitia-Managing for Success to promote Māori language, culture and identity
  • incorporating strategies from the Ministry of Education Pasifika Education Plan 2008-2012 to promote values and identity of Pacific students in learning
  • continuing to seek external expertise to develop robust school-wide systems for ongoing improvement.

 

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:

  • board administration
  • curriculum
  • management of health, safety and welfare
  • personnel management
  • financial management
  • asset management.

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

  • emotional safety of students (including prevention of bullying and sexual harassment)
  • physical safety of students
  • teacher registration
  • stand-downs, suspensions, expulsions and exclusions
  • attendance.

During the course of the review ERO identified areas of non-compliance.

  • ensure that all non-teaching staff at the school are police vetted as stated in the 2008 ERO report, [Education Act 1989, s78C, (1), (2)]
  • consult with the community about the implementation of the health curriculum at least once every two years as stated in the 2008 ERO report [Education Act 1989, 60B].

In order to improve current practice, the board of trustees should:

  • analyse student attendance and absenteeism on a regular basis to identify patterns and trends over time
  • analyse student transience rates to enable the board and senior managers to evaluate its impact on student achievement; and
  • annually appraise all non-teaching staff.

 

When is ERO likely to review the school again?

ERO is likely to carry out the next review in three years.

 

 

Makere Smith

National Manager Review Services

Northern Region (Acting)

13 February 2012

About the School

Location

Flat Bush, Auckland

Ministry of Education profile number

1581

School type

Contributing (Years 1 to 6)

School roll

593

Gender composition

Boys 54%, Girls 46%

Ethnic composition

Māori

NZ European/Pākehā

Samoan

Cook Island Māori

Indian

Tongan

Fijian

Niuean

Cambodian

Chinese

Vietnamese

Filipino

Middle Eastern

other Pacific

other

12%

4%

36%

12%

8%

5%

4%

3%

3%

3%

2%

2%

1%

1%

4%

Special Features

Family Service Centre, Early Childhood Education Centre

Review team on site

November 2011

Date of this report

13 February 2012

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review Education Review Accountability Review

June 2008 June 2005 August 2001