Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School

Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School

Introduction

The Education Review Office (ERO) reviews of private schools are significantly different in process and more limited in scope and reporting than those for state and state-integrated schools, focusing as they do on the Criteria for Registration set out in clauses 2 to 6, Schedule 7 of the Education and Training Act 2020.

Clause 9, Schedule 7 of the Education and Training Act requires the Education Review Office (ERO) to review private schools and to report to the Secretary for Education on whether each school meets the criteria for registration.

More information about ERO reviews of private schools can be found on ERO’s website Private and independent schools | Education Review Office (ero.govt.nz)

The criteria for registration are that the school -

  1. has premises that are suitable, as described in clause 3, Schedule 7; and

  2. usually provides tuition for 9 or more students who are of or over the age of 5 years but are under the age of 16 years [clause 2(b), Schedule 7); and

  3. has staffing that is suitable to the age range and level of its students, the curriculum taught at the school, and the size of the school (clause 2(c), Schedule 7; and

  4. has equipment that is suitable for the curriculum being delivered or to be delivered at the school (clause 2(d) Schedule 7); and

  5. has a curriculum for teaching, learning, and assessment and makes details of the curriculum and its programme for delivery available for parents; and

  6. has suitable tuition standards, as described in clauses 2(e),(f) and 5, Schedule 7; and

  7. has managers who are fit and proper persons (as described in clause 6, Schedule 7) to be managers of a private school; and

  8. is a physically and emotionally safe place for students (clause 2(h), Schedule 7).

When an ERO report identifies an area within the criteria for registration that is not meeting the criteria at the time of the ERO review, that will be reported, the Ministry of Education will be informed, and the Ministry of Education will follow up the issue with the school.

ERO’s Judgement

a) The school has premises that are suitable as described in clause 3, Schedule 7

Refer to conclusion below

b) The school usually provides tuition for 9 or more students who are of or over the age of 5 years but are under the age of 16 years

Meeting

c) The school has staffing that is suitable to the age range and level of its students, the curriculum taught at the school, and the size of the school

Meeting

d) The school has equipment that is suitable for the curriculum being delivered or to be delivered at the school

Meeting

e) The school has a curriculum for teaching, learning, and assessment and makes details of the curriculum and its programme for delivery available for parents

Meeting

f) The school has suitable tuition standards as described in clauses 2(e), (f) and 5, Schedule 7

Meeting

g) The school has managers who are fit and proper persons (as described in clause 6, Schedule 7)

Meeting

h) The school is a physically and emotionally safe place for students

A safe place is one in which risks to student safety are regularly assessed and evaluated with a view to eliminating, or at least reducing, harm. A safe place is one where clear policies exist and are acted upon to eliminate or minimise harm.

ERO’s judgement is based on the quality, intent and regular review of the school’s policies and procedures.

The school has regularly reviewed policies and procedures to provide for a physically and emotionally safe place for students.

Conclusion

On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School meets the criteria for registration as a private school set out in clauses 2 to 6, Schedule 7 of the Education and Training Act 2020.

The school and ERO have yet to receive proof of the Code of Compliance for the new buildings. The process has been hindered by the impact of COVID-19.

Other Matters

Provision for international students

The school is a signatory provider to the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016 established under section 534 of the Education and Training Act 2020. The school has attested that it complies with all aspects of the Code and has completed an annual self-review of its implementation of the Code.

At the time of this review there were two international students attending the school.

The school’s process for annual self-review and its provision of pastoral care with reference to the quality of education and student participation in the school community meet requirements.

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

7 September 2022

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

Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School - 04/05/2018

Findings

On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School meets the criteria for registration as a private school set out in the Education Act 1989.

1 Background

The Chief Review Officer has a statutory duty to report on the performance of private schools throughout New Zealand.

Section 35I of the Education Act 1989, requires the Education Review Office (ERO) to review fully registered private schools, and to report to the Ministry of Education on whether each school continues to meet the criteria for full registration.

This review report was prepared in accordance with standard procedures approved by the Chief Review Officer.

Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School caters for students from six to 18 years of age. It has a roll of 179 students, including eight who identify as Māori. The Steiner Waldorf philosophy is integral to their special character.

The school is governed by the Rudolf Steiner Schools’ (Titirangi) Trust. It is managed by the Trust, and a College of Teachers, who represent the on-site Kindergarten and the Lower, Middle and Upper schools.

2 Criteria for Registration

The premises and equipment are suitable.

The school is suitably equipped to meet curriculum needs. Children and teachers access a range of specific resources and materials that support students’ learning. Since the 2013 ERO review, property developments have included two extra classrooms to cater for Upper school students. Additional useful spaces provide for the Steiner curriculum, including learning support. Good use is made of the school’s large outdoor environment.

Parents maintain the school premises. Health and safety requirements are met. In 2016 a consultant was contracted to assist with a comprehensive review of health and safety practices. It would be useful for the Trust to establish systems for the regular monitoring of hazards in the environment.

Suitable curriculum

Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School continues to provide students with a suitable curriculum.

The school uses the Steiner Waldorf curriculum which emphasises children’s stages of developmental. Elements of The New Zealand Curriculum are included. Teachers move through the school with the children to support continuity of learning. Teachers meet regularly to share knowledge. Child Study provides an opportunity to discuss individual children’s progress.

Students learn through a prescriptive and formal teaching programme aligned to each year level. Those students with additional learning needs are supported by parent funded interventions. Parents are kept well informed through after school meetings and regular community meetings.

Students are supported to meet the requirements of the National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEA). Students in Classes 11 and 12 are enrolled with Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu so that they can receive correspondence learning in a broader range of subjects.

The school’s bicultural curriculum is promoted through events such as Matariki, marae visits and aspects of te ao Māori.

Along with the Steiner special character, the curriculum encourages responsibility and mutual respect for others. An inclusive community atmosphere is highly evident.

Leaders agree that formalising internal evaluation practices is a key next step. This would help to ensure that programmes and practices are critiqued and support a continual focus on improving outcomes for children.

Suitable staffing and tuition

Staffing and tuition are suitable.

Children benefit from a good ratio of teachers to learners, in small classes. Classroom teachers all have current Practising Teacher Certificates. Teachers work in a collaborative environment where there is shared responsibility for all children.

Teachers have opportunities to take responsibility for specific roles across the school and to develop their leadership potential. School leaders recognise that appraisal processes need to be updated to better align with the current Education Council requirements. Teachers have opportunities for professional learning and development.

The Trust and College of Teachers are committed to addressing the ongoing challenge of employing teachers who can enact the school’s alternative educational philosophy.

Fit and Proper Persons

The school’s managers have attested that they comply with the provisions of section 35G in respect to their being fit and proper persons to manage the school.

3 Other Obligations

There are good systems in place for the school’s managing body to be assured that its other statutory obligations are met.

4 Other Matters

Provision for international students

The school is a signatory to the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016 (the Code) established under section 238F of the Education Act 1989. The school has attested that it complies with all aspects of the Code.

At the time of this review there were 18 international students attending the school.

The school’s practices provide very good pastoral care. Good processes are in place to monitor and support students’ learning and achievement. Students are involved in a wide range of school activities and are well integrated into the school community.

5 Conclusion

On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School meets the criteria for registration as a private school set out in the Education Act 1989.

Julie Foley

Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern (Acting)

Te Tai Raki - Northern Region

4 May 2018

About the School

Location

Titirangi, Auckland

Ministry of Education profile number

1595

School type

Private Fully Registered Composite (Years 1 to 13)

School roll

179

Number of international students

18

Gender composition

Girls 58% Boys 42%

Ethnic composition

Māori
Pākehā
Asian
Pacific
other

4%
79%
12%
2%
3%

Review team on site

February 2018

Date of this report

4 May 2018

Most recent ERO report(s)

Private School Review
Private School Review
Private School Review

November 2013
November 2012
August 2010