Atea College

Introduction 

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 will be informed and the Ministry 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 

​​Meeting​ 

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) 

​​​Refer to conclusion below​​ 

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.  

​​Please refer to conclusion below.​ 

Conclusion 

During the onsite phase  

During the onsite phase of the review process, ERO identified the school was not meeting aspects of four criteria for registration as a private school: 

a) In relation to the criteria that the school has premises that are suitable (as described in clause 3, Schedule 7) 

• the school did not have a Building Warrant of Fitness or a Compliance Schedule to determine the suitability of the school premises and other safety systems (Building Act 2024) 
• the school was unable to provide evidence to show that there are suitable and regular checks of property and associated safety systems.

c) In relation to 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 (as described in clause 2c, Schedule 7) 

• a registered teacher did not hold a valid practising certificate 
• non-teaching staff, employed or engaged by the school, did not have police vets (Education and Training Act 2020 Schedule 4).

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

• the school managers have attested to ERO that they are Fit and Proper Persons (FPP). However, the managers have not yet been assessed by the Ministry of Education (MOE) as FPP  
• ERO recommends that this assessment is completed by the Ministry within the next six months of this report. Once the Ministry assessment is complete an addendum will be added to the published ERO report.

h) In relation to the school being a physically and emotionally safe place for students (as described in clause 2(h), Schedule 7 

the school was unable to verify the physical safety of the school buildings and had also employed or engaged staff without a police vet. 

Since the onsite review 

ERO has received evidence to show that the principal and the board have taken steps to address some of these issues: 

• The school has had its fire alarms checked by an external expert and the process to obtain a Building.
• Warrant of Fitness is now underway.  
• The school has now obtained police vets for all staff and teacher registrations and practising certificates for all teachers are up to date. 

ERO considers that ​Atea College​ now meets the requirements in relation to school staffing (as described in clause 2c, Schedule 7). 

ERO considered that ​Atea College​ did not meet the criteria for registration as a private school set out in clauses 6, 3 and 2(h) of schedule 7 of the Education and Training Act 2020, in relation to the: 

• school has managers who are fit and proper persons (as described in clause 6, Schedule 7) 
• criteria that the school has premises that are suitable (as described in clause 3, Schedule 7) 
• being unable to verify the physical safety of the school buildings in relation to the school being a physically and emotionally safe place for students (as described in clause 2(h), Schedule 7). 

During the report confirmation process 

ERO received a building inspection report from the principal. This evidence shows the school has sought external advice to check the suitability of the premises. This has led to a request to the Auckland Council to issue a new Compliance Schedule for the building. The Compliance Schedule will enable the school to action an annual Building Warrant of Fitness.  

The building report indicates that the building is "safe to be occupied" and has suggested some safety improvements such as emergency lighting, exit signs and handrails for external stairs. 

ERO considers that ​Atea College​ now meets the criteria for registration as a private school set out in clauses 3 and 2(h) of schedule 7 of the Education and Training Act 2020, in relation to the: 

• criteria that the school has premises that are suitable (as described in clause 3, Schedule 7) 
• the physical safety of the school buildings in relation to the school being a physically and emotionally safe place for students (as described in clause 2(h), Schedule 7). 

ERO considers that ​Atea College​ has yet to meet the criteria for managers who are fit and proper persons (as described in clause 6, Schedule 7) as noted above.  

Other Matters 

Provision for international students 

The school is a signatory provider 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 attested that it complies with all aspects of the Code and has completed an annual self review of its implementation of the Code. 

No international students were enrolled at the time of the ERO review.  

Shelley Booysen 
Director of Schools 

​​21 October 2024​ 

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