Bartholomew Road , Levin
View on mapThis Profile Report was written within 12 months of the Education Review Office and Waiopehu College 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
Waiopehu College is a co-educational secondary school located in the township of Levin, Horowhenua, providing education for a diverse range of students in Years 9 to 13. The school prioritises a future focused curriculum in the junior school that aims to inspire students through connecting learning to student passions. A new Principal was appointed at the beginning of 2023.
Waiopehu College’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are the following:
Dignity and Rights – Wellbeing; Resilience and Self-Awareness.
Full Potential – Engagement; Attendance; Connection; Communication; Lifelong Love of Learning.
Inspires – No limitations; Belief in our Learners; Every learner can be successful.
Quality Teaching and Learning – Plan and review curriculum; Strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy to allow success in a changing world.
You can find a copy of the school’s strategic and annual plan on Waiopehu College’s website.
ERO and the school are working together to evaluate how well the school is collecting and analysing a range of learner data to plan programmes and apply practices that are responsive to the needs of all learners.
The rationale for selecting this evaluation is:
Waiopehu College is implementing a ‘future focused’ curriculum that is centred on learner agency and aspires to engage learners in programmes driven by their passions and interests. The school is now focused on ensuring systems and processes are in place to effectively gather, analyse and use data responsively to the meet needs of all learners.
The school expects to see:
coherent and consistent assessment and moderation practices across Years 9 and 10
robust systems and processes for tracking and monitoring learner progress
differentiated learning that is effectively informed by formative and summative assessment information
culturally responsive relational practices embedded across the school
improved outcomes for all learners.
The school can draw from the following strengths to support the school in its goals:
Staff prioritise building and sustaining strong relationships with learners.
Learner agency is highly valued, and learners have a strong voice in the design of aspects of the curriculum.
A variety of inclusive learning environments where learners with complex and/or individual needs are supported through individualised learning programmes focused on hauora.
School leaders are committed to providing staff with professional knowledge building opportunities about practices that best meet the needs of learners.
Moving forward, the school will prioritise excellent and equitable outcomes for all learners through:
professional learning and knowledge building about effective assessment for learning practices so that all staff better understand, and address learner needs in multi-level classroom environments
the development of an assessment framework for Years 9 and 10, ensuring coherent and consistent practices
continuing to develop, understand and implement culturally responsive and relational pedagogy to support the engagement of all learners
the strengthening of systems and processes for robust internal evaluation.
School-wide attendance and the impact of this on learner progress and achievement, particularly for those most at-risk of underachievement.
Gather and analyse a range of data to inform strategies and practices that will improve learner engagement and attendance.
Set and monitor targeted attendance interventions.
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.
Shelley Booysen
Director of Schools
2 May 2023
The Education Counts website provides further information about the school’s student population, student engagement and student achievement. educationcounts.govt.nz/home
This school has:
He Whare Manaaki Tangata – Poipoia (Teen Parent Unit); Arohanui Kindergarten
Te Whare Āwhina – Learning Support Centre
Blake House Wellness Centre.
As of July 2022, the Waiopehu College Board has attested to the following regulatory and legislative requirements:
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
For further information please contact Waiopehu College, School Board.
The next School Board 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.
Shelley Booysen
Director of Schools
2 May 2023
The Education Counts website provides further information about the school’s student population, student engagement and student achievement. educationcounts.govt.nz/home
The Education Review Office reviews schools that are signatories to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 established under section 534 of the Education and Training Act 2020.
The school is a signatory to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of
Practice 2021 established under section 534 of the Education and Training Act 2020. The school
has not attested that it complies with all aspects of the Code and has not completed an annual self-review of its implementation of the Code.
At the time of this review there were 0 international students attending the school, and one exchange student.
ERO recommends that the New Zealand Qualifications Authority as Administrator of the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 follows up with the school its implementation of the Code of Practice.
Shelley Booysen
Director of Schools
2 May 2023
The Education Counts website provides further information about the school’s student population, student engagement and student achievement. educationcounts.govt.nz/home
Waiopehu College is a co-educational state secondary school located in Levin. Of the 625 learners enrolled, 40% are Māori and 11% are of Pacific heritage.
The college seeks ‘to encourage active partnership with its community to provide students with the quality of education that respects their dignity and rights and helps them to develop their full potential’. Pehu Pride encompasses the shared values of the school.
A new principal was appointed at the beginning of 2015 and many trustees commenced their governance role in 2016.
The college completed the Ministry of Education initiative, Kia Eke Panuku, at the end of 2016 and commenced Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) at the beginning of 2017. The school is part of the Taitoko Community of Learning | Kāhui Ako.
Building on the positive trajectory in achievement for Māori students, the college continues to implement curriculum and assessment changes to promote equitable outcomes for all learners.
Comprehensive processes support students’ transition into Year 9. Comparative assessment information from Year 9 to Year 11 shows many progress well, with accelerated levels of achievement evident.
Leaver data in 2016, showed most students achieved National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEAs) at Level 1. The percentage of Maori learners leaving school with a minimum of NCEA Level 2 has increased over time. Most Pacific leavers achieved a minimum of NCEAs Level 2. Targeting improvement at NCEA Level 3, including Māori and Pacific learners, and addressing the disparity in achievement for males when compared to female students are acknowledged ongoing priorities for the college.
Extensive educational partnerships, inclusive of external services, local community, parents, families, whānau and iwi promote equity and excellence.
The school demonstrates strong progress toward achieving equity in educational outcomes, supported by effective, sustainable processes and practices. Agreed next steps include: continuing to raise NCEA achievement, especially at Level 3 and address disparity in the achievement of males; build the effectiveness of teacher practice to meet the diverse needs of learners; developthe collective knowledge of staff and trustees to effectively use inquiry and evaluation for improvement.
ERO is likely to carry out the next review in three years.
Well-considered changes to assessment practice contribute to a positive achievement trajectory for Māori learners and to strengthening the school’s response to ensure equitable outcomes for all students. Improved processes for tracking student progress during the year have increased the ability of staff to better respond to the individual needs of learners.
Reported data shows many Year 9 learners require accelerated achievement to meet curriculum expectations. Comparative assessment information from Year 9 to Year 11 shows many progress well, with accelerated levels of achievement evident. Integrating English, science, mathematics and social studies for a Year 9 class shows many have accelerated their achievement.
The college has recently extended the range of assessments in Years 9 and 10. The introduction of curriculum level assessment has been undertaken to improve the breadth of information available for tracking student progress and to better identify the learning needs of individuals. Extending the data available provides the opportunity for the college to set targets for groups requiring their achievement to be accelerated. This should support improved evaluation by the school to determine what is supporting success and where there are limitations in achieving a positive achievement trajectory for all Years 9 and 10 students.
Students identified with additional and complex learning needs are well supported in an inclusive environment. Programmes and adaptations to the curriculum are personalized to individuals. Processes supporting communication and monitoring of student progress promote engagement and collaboration with parents and whānau. Extensive external agency partnerships are accessed to meet the needs of students.
Leaver data in 2016, showed most achieved NCEA Level 1. The percentage of Maori learners leaving school with a minimum of NCEA Level 2 has increased over time, slightly exceeding the achievement of Pākehā students within the school in 2016. Close to two thirds achieved a Level 2 qualification, closely matching schools of similar type. Many students achieve endorsed NCEA qualifications. Most Pacific leavers achieved a minimum of NCEAs Level 2, showing a significant increase from 2015.
Student retention to 17 years of age closely reflects similar type schools. Māori student retention is similar to Pākehā. Female students show higher retention rates than males. Many students leaving school in 2016 continued training, participated in further study or commenced employment. School leaders are seeking to strengthen their inquiry in relation to the destination of students to support their curriculum evaluation.
Achievement at Level 3, including gaining University Entrance, indicates that attainment at this level has remained static from 2014, below schools of similar type and national figures. As a priority, the school recognises the need to make significant progress in this area.
Processes clearly reflect the school’s vision and shared values. Conditions that are effective in promoting equity and excellence for students include: collaborative leadership that provides sound school management and guides improvement toward strategic priorities; appropriate curriculum options for students with clearly established future priorities; and trustees’ provision of resourcing for student participation, progress and achievement.
Specific initiatives implemented to meet the diverse needs of learners impact positively on the achievement and retention of students.
Leaders, teachers and trustees build an effective response to Māori learners’ culture, language and identity. Partnership with local iwi, Muaūpoko, provides individual mentoring of Māori learners promoting increased attendance and participation at school. Re-establishment of the Ohu Whānau Group reflects whānau aspirations as expressed in the school strategic plan.
Involvement in Kia Eke Panuku focuses teacher practice on promoting positive relationships and considering culturally appropriate contexts for learning. Students are supported in gaining NCEA credits through Māori performing arts and the introduction of Whakairo promotes contextual learning for students.
The school is purposeful in response to the learning needs of Pacific students. They have suitable access to English Language Learning. Teacher aides, of Pacific heritage, support students requiring additional support. Bilingual assessments recognise and value Pacific learners’ first language.
Te Whare Awhina learning centre provides a high quality learning environment for students requiring additional support and those identified with complex needs. Students access an extensive range of health and guidance services through the Blake House Wellness Centre. A teen parent unit, He Whare Manaaki Tangata and a kindergarten are also on-site.
Comprehensive processes effectively address the pastoral and wellbeing needs of learners. Robust organisational structures support the delivery of pastoral systems, guidance and access to health services. Development of vertical tutor groups has increased teachers’ focus on mentoring to address the pastoral and academic needs of students and fostered valuable partnerships with parents and whānau.
Key leadership positions, including monitoring by Māori and Pacific deans, ensures a focus on individual student progress and participation at school. Implementation of PB4L aligns well to the shared values of the school and strengthens the focus on restorative practice.
To further raise achievement and promote equity and excellence for all students, the school and ERO identify the need to develop the collective knowledge of department leaders, staff and trustees to effectively inquire into practice and undertake internal evaluation for improvement.
Key next steps that require a clear strategic response include: raising achievement at Level 3 NCEA and addressing the disparity for males, particularly at this level; setting board targets for progress and achievement in Years 9 and 10, aligned to learners requiring acceleration; and building the effectiveness of teacher’s practice and use of assessment information to meet the diverse needs of learners.
The school’s appraisal process reflects the Practising Teacher Criteria and usefully links to the strategic goals. Alignment to the teaching inquiry process supports collaborative engagement of staff in professional learning groups. Further strengthening the appraisal process and ensuring its robust implementation should ensure it better monitors and guides teacher practice. Continued development of department leaders’ capability to effectively guide improvement toward the school’s achievement priorities is an area for ongoing development.
Before the review, the board 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:
The school is a signatory to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students (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 is one international student attending the school.
The college has appropriate systems and processes to ensure the provision for international students is achieved. Student wellbeing, academic progress and achievement are suitably monitored.
The school demonstrates strong progress toward achieving equity in educational outcomes, supported by effective, sustainable processes and practices.
Agreed next steps include: continuing to raise NCEA achievement, especially at Level 3 and address disparity in the achievement of males; build the effectiveness of teacher practice to meet the diverse needs of learners; develop the collective knowledge of staff and trustees to effectively use inquiry and evaluation for improvement.
ERO is likely to carry out the next review in three years.
Alan Wynyard
Deputy Chief Review Officer Central (Acting)
27 September 2017
|
Location |
Levin |
|
Ministry of Education profile number |
237 |
|
School type |
Secondary (Years 9 to 15) |
|
School roll |
625 |
|
Gender composition |
Female 54%, Male 46% |
|
Ethnic composition |
Māori 40% |
|
Provision of Māori medium education |
No |
|
Review team on site |
July 2017 |
|
Date of this report |
27 September 2017 |
|
Most recent ERO report(s) |
Education Review, October 2014 |