Springbank School

Findings

On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that Springbank 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.

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 9 or more students who are of or over the age of 5 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.

2 Criteria for Registration

Springbank School provides suitable premises, equipment, curriculum, staffing and tuition standards.

The school provides a broad and comprehensive curriculum. The main academic focus of the curriculum is complemented by programmes in the arts, technologies, physical activity, and education outside the classroom. In addition, students contribute in meaningful ways to providing services to the local community as part of their learning programme.

The school uses the Cambridge Curriculum and Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) as a framework for teaching and assessment. The core curriculum of English, Mathematics and Science provides a learning platform at all levels. In addition, the school has developed new programmes in Years 7 to 10 in health and wellbeing, enterprise studies, and financial literacy.

Tracking and monitoring systems are in place to support children’s progress and wellbeing. Students across the school make good progress in their learning and achieve well overall. Teaching staff assess children’s progress in literacy and numeracy closely, and provide additional support to any students, including those new to the school, who are below expected curriculum levels.

Senior students benefit from small classes and specialist teachers. They have many opportunities to take a leadership role, take responsibility, and show initiative. Over 90 percent of senior students achieve appropriate CIE qualifications, some with very good results. School leavers are well prepared for tertiary study, training, or employment.

The school works constructively with its parent community. Many parents actively support the school’s learning programme and events. A recent parent survey indicates particular satisfaction with the way children’s wellbeing and learning are managed. Senior leaders agree a similar survey of children and staff would provide worthwhile feedback.

The school’s premises and resources support the learning programme effectively. The established forested area is a valuable feature of the school’s ecological and sustainability curriculum. Staff professional learning and development has focused recently on enhancing students’ dispositions for learning.

Students’ learning is well managed by qualified and enthusiastic teachers. A new teacher appraisal system was established in late 2018. The online procedures enable teachers individually to collect evidence of their practice in relation to the New Zealand Teaching Council’s requirements for registered teachers. As teachers develop confidence in using this approach, the quality of their evidence should become more reflective and responsive in each of the six Standards for the Teaching Profession (STP), in particular the standard relating to the Treaty of Waitangi.

There are appropriate policies and practices in place for the school’s managing body to be assured its statutory obligations are being met. Policies for children protection, police vetting and staff appointments have been appropriately updated. Well-embedded pastoral care systems make good use of local agencies and professional services.

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 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 the review, there were 17 international students at the school. These students make good progress through the curriculum, and are well integrated into the life of the school and its community.

The director meets regularly with the international students and their home-stay families, and coordinates additional opportunities to enhance the students’ experiences in New Zealand. An effective professional network supports the director and the required self-review processes.

Conclusion

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

Steve Tanner

Director Review and Improvement Services Northern

Northern Region

3 May 2019

About the School