2 Chester Street West , Christchurch
View on mapOn the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that The Cathedral Grammar 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.
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.
The criteria for registration are that the school —
a) has premises that are suitable, as described in clause 3, Schedule 7; and
b) 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
c) 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
d) has equipment that is suitable for the curriculum being delivered or to be delivered at the school (clause 2(d) Schedule 7); and
e) has a curriculum for teaching, learning, and assessment and makes details of the curriculum and its programme for delivery available for parents; and
f) has suitable tuition standards, as described in clauses 2(e),(f) and 5, Schedule 7; and
g) has managers who are fit and proper persons (as described in clause 6, Schedule 7) to be managers of a private school; and
h) 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 will be informed and the Ministry will follow up the issue with the school.
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The school’s managers have attested that they comply with the provisions as described in clause 6, Schedule 7 of the Education and Training Act 2020 in respect to their being fit and proper persons to manage the school.
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.
On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that The Cathedral Grammar 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 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 ten international students attending the school.
The school’s self-review processes for international students are thorough and lead to change when needed. The school ensures the international students’ wellbeing and learning needs are met during their time at the school.
Dr Lesley Patterson
Director Review and Improvement Services (Southern)
Southern Region - Te Tai Tini
24th March 2021
On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that The Cathedral Grammar School meets the criteria for registration as a private school set out in the Education Act 1989.
The Chief Review Officer has a statutory duty to report on the performance of private schools throughout New Zealand.
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 section 35C of the Education Act.
Section 35I of the Education Act 1989 requires the Education Review Office (ERO) to review private schools and to report to the Ministry of Education on whether each school continues to meet the criteria for registration. The schools are privately owned and the legislative requirements are significantly different to those for state and state-integrated schools. Private schools are not required to follow the National Education Goals or National Administration Guidelines.
What does apply in place of the legislation imposed upon state schools by the Education Act is the contract between the persons paying for the tuition of the child at the school – the parents – and the school authority. Those are matters between the parent and the school’s governing body. More information about ERO reviews of private schools can be found on ERO’s website www.ero.govt.nz/Reviews-Process.
The criteria for registration are that the school —
a) has premises that are suitable, as described in section 35D; and
b) usually provides tuition for nine or more students who are of or over the age of five years but are under the age of 16 years; and
c) 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; and
d) has equipment that is suitable for the curriculum being delivered or to be delivered at the school; and
e) has a curriculum for teaching, learning, and assessment and makes details of the curriculum and its programme for delivery available for parents; and
f) has suitable tuition standards, as described in section 35F; and
g) has managers who are fit and proper persons (as described in section 35G) to be managers of a private school.
This school is a private, co-educational school founded on the Anglican faith. The school comprises a junior school (Years 1 to 3) and separate girls and boys preparatory schools (Years 3 to 8). The school also owns and operates an on-site early learning service.
The school continues to meet the criteria for registration. The board has established a clear, future focused vision for the school. The way the board and leaders are working to realising this vision is actively promoting ongoing school improvement.
The school provides children with a broad, varied and well-balanced curriculum that reflects the school’s special character. Children have good opportunities to achieve success across the curriculum.
The school continues to give particular emphasis to promoting children’s learning in English, mathematics, the arts (especially music), science, history, geography, sports and religious education.
Since the school’s ERO 2013 education review, leaders and teachers have introduced some significant initiatives to better respond to children’s strengths, interests and needs. These include providing better additional learning support for some children and offering a greater range of enrichment and extension opportunities for those who achieve at high levels.
The school provides children with an environment conducive to learning. Routines, relationships and the school’s values foster an inclusive school culture that helps to promotes children’s sense of belonging and wellbeing.
The board’s clear vision for the school includes aspirational goals related to children’s learning across the curriculum. It gives particular emphasis to fostering the attributes and skills that will prepare children well for their future learning. Leaders are giving appropriate priority to updating the school’s curriculum guidelines to better reflect the board’s goals for learning and teaching.
Leaders and teachers are continuing to refine assessment and reporting practices in ways that provide information about children’s learning and achievement in the various curriculum areas. They now need to consider how best to assess and report on the other aspects of children’s learning that are outlined in the board’s vision for learners.
Teaching practices engage children in purposeful learning. Teachers have high expectations, and use a wide range of teaching strategies. This has included making sure children are more aware of the purpose of learning activities and better catering for children’s interests. Teachers are also making greater provision for adapting programmes to cater for the range of abilities within classes and for providing children with challenge. Both teachers and children are making increasing use of digital technologies to support teaching and learning.
To help build on these initiatives, leaders should now make clearer in school curriculum documents their expectations about effective teaching practices.
The school’s staffing is suitable for the age range and year levels of the children and the curriculum taught at the school.
The school’s level of staffing results in a high teacher to child ratio. It includes a mix of class and specialist teachers. Recruitment practices are successfully extending the range of experience and skills within the staff.
The development of robust appraisal systems and increased provision for professional development for teachers and leaders is supporting professional growth and school improvement.
The school continues to provide suitable premises and equipment. These include a wide range of teaching spaces. Existing buildings have continued to be upgraded subsequent to the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes.
A significant development has been the building of the new junior school and the creation of more all-weather outdoor playground spaces. The board has ongoing plans to improve school facilities. Good provision is made for maintaining grounds, buildings and equipment.
The school has continued to update and extend its range of resources to ensure teaching and learning is well supported both in class and specialist teaching facilities. This is particularly evident in the extended resources and support provided to foster the use of digital technologies.
The school’s managers have attested that they comply with the provisions with section 35G with respect to them being fit and proper persons to manage the school.
There are good systems in place for the school’s managing body to be assured that their other statutory obligations are met.
The school is a signatory to Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students established under section 238F of the Education Act 1989. The school attested that is complies with all aspects of the code. At the time of this review, there was one international student attending the school.
The school makes good provision for the pastoral care and education of any international students. Students are involved and well integrated into the school’s community. The school makes appropriate provision for monitoring its work in this area.
On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that The Cathedral Grammar School meets the criteria for registration as a private school set out in the Education Act 1989.
Dr Lesley Patterson
Deputy Chief Review Officer-Te Waipounamu/Southern
15 December 2016
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Location |
Christchurch |
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Ministry of Education profile number |
368 |
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School type |
Full Primary (Years 1 to 8) |
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School roll |
284 |
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Number of international students |
1 |
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Gender composition |
Boys 56%; Girls 44% |
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Ethnic composition |
Pākehā Māori Asian Other ethnicities |
80% 1% 10% 9% |
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Special Features |
Early Childcare Centre on site |
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Review team on site |
October 2016 |
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Date of this report |
15 December 2016 |
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Most recent ERO reports |
Private School Review Private School Review Private School Review |
January 2013 July 2009 September 2006 |