MindAlive

Education institution number:

547

School type:

Composite

School gender:

Co-Educational

Definition:

Not Applicable

Total roll:

Telephone:

09 309 3300

Address:

385 Queen Street, Auckland Central, Auckland

View on map

MindAlive

08 Feb 2023

Private School Review Report

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 —

has premises that are suitable, as described in clause 3, Schedule 7; and
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
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
has equipment that is suitable for the curriculum being delivered or to be delivered at the school (clause 2(d) Schedule 7); and
has a curriculum for teaching, learning, and assessment and makes details of the curriculum and its programme for delivery available for parents; and
has suitable tuition standards, as described in clauses 2(e),(f) and 5, Schedule 7; and
has managers who are fit and proper persons (as described in clause 6, Schedule 7) to be managers of a private school; and
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

Not Meeting - Refer to conclusion

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

Not Meeting - Refer to conclusion

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

Not Meeting - Refer to conclusion

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.

Please refer to conclusion below.

Conclusion

ERO considers that MindAlive does not meet 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 previously reviewed the school in March 2015 and highlighted at the time that the school was operating with none of its staff registered as teachers with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa.

ERO has determined that since 2015 no actions have been taken by the managers of the school to address the area of concern identified.

In August 2022 during the onsite phase of the review, ERO determined that the three adults employed by MindAlive were not registered as teachers and did not hold a current practising certificate. The school managers informed ERO that the philosophy of the school does not include teachers and/or tuition. Furthermore, the three adults had not undergone suitable safety checks.

If there are no registered teachers, the school is not meeting the criteria in clause 2(c) of Schedule 7 of the Education and Training Act 2020 (the Act) which states that the school must have 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.

Therefore, ERO is unable to assess the standard of tuition, the mode of curriculum delivery and the regularity of instruction in the absence of registered teachers (clause 5(2), Schedule 7 of the Act). Consequently, ERO cannot be assured that the school is providing tuition of a suitable standard that is no lower than that of a standard given to students enrolled in a state school.

ERO finds that the school does not meet the requirements of the criteria for registration in terms of suitable staffing, suitable curriculum, suitable tuition.

Without appropriate safety checks in place for adults working with children the school is not meeting the requirements of the Children’s Act 2014 and the Education and Training Act 2020. Therefore, ERO cannot be assured that the school is making sufficient provision for a safe physical and emotional place for students.

In order to meet the registration criteria, ERO recommends that the school take the following actions:

the manager of the school must ensure that persons without a practising certificate are not permanently appointed to a teaching position

[Section 92(2) Education and Training Act 2020]

safety checking of Children’s workers, and periodic rechecking of existing children’s workers which includes police vetting

[Children’s Act 2014, and regulations 5–8 of the Children’s (Requirements for Safety Checks of Children’s Workers) Regulations 2015]

in order to meet suitable tuition standards, the school needs suitable staffing for ERO to assess the mode of curriculum delivery and the regularity of instruction
ensure the curriculum includes guidance for teaching and assessment.

Since the onsite phase of the review, ERO has verified that all adults employed by the school have now been police vetted.

ERO recommends that the Secretary of Education invokes the powers under clause 10, Schedule 7 of the Education and Training Act 2020.

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

8 February 2023

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

MindAlive - 16/02/2011

16 Feb 2011

Findings

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

1 Background

Introduction

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

Under section 35A of the Education Act 1989, private schools are required to be “efficient”. The Act defines “efficient”, in relation to a private school as -

Having suitable premises, staffing, equipment, and curriculum; and
Usually providing tuition for 9 or more students who have turned 5 but are under 16; and
Providing suitably for the inculcation in the minds of students of sentiments of patriotism and loyalty; and
Giving students tuition of a standard no lower than that of the tuition given to students enrolled at schools of the same class.

This report focuses on the extent to which the school meets this requirement and other statutory obligations.

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

2 Efficient

Mindalive is a small private school that has a clear philosophy of education. Children’s educational programmes are structured and purposeful. Staff support children’s development and work collaboratively to promote the school’s vision and educational values. They provide a curriculum that responds to the individual needs of children, and is academically challenging. Children experience a range of curriculum activities and have time and space to develop and make progress at their own pace and in their own ways.

This is ERO’s third review of the school. Since ERO’s 2007 review, the school has moved premises and is now located in the business district of Auckland City. This move has opened new opportunities for education, including the use of off-site facilities. The new premises are spacious and well set out, with defined areas for play, study, relaxation, creativity and physical activities. Younger children, aged five and six, are now enrolled.

The school is well equipped. Resources for play have been extended to suit the needs of younger children and an area for games allows children of all ages to interact positively. An extensive collection of books, and areas for reading and writing, support children’s literacy development. Equipment for technology and science is well used. The school uses the services of The Correspondence School under an arrangement for dual enrolment of the children at the school who are seeking qualifications at Levels 1 to 3 in the National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEA). Mindalive provides them with appropriate areas for study, materials and support.

Children and staff have high expectations for learning and behaviour. Staff communicate frequently about children’s educational progress and development, and personal growth. Parents are made welcome and are appreciative of the positive experiences and outcomes for their children. Staff responsible for education in the communityare reflective and responsive to children’s needs. They model the school values, and monitor children’s progress and development closely.

Children are confident and responsible members of the school community. They take an active interest in their education and receive good feedback from staff who celebrate their achievements. A strong literacy focus underpins education at all stages. Children achieve well during their time at the school. They develop self-managing and inquiry skills, growing in confidence and self efficacy. They have opportunities to gain relevant qualifications that support lifelong education.

Staff create an environment that nurtures children, affirms their differences and values their individuality. Children are encouraged to fulfil their potential and actively contribute to the wider community as responsible citizens. Staff take care to ensure the physical and emotional safety of children. Expectations for behaviour and safety are well understood by the children who interact positively with adults and with each other.

The Patrons of Mindalive are respected educational leaders who offer support and wise counsel. Two of the Patrons are members of the school’s Curriculum Management Team and support the Mindalive curriculum. One is a registered teacher. Mindalive provides suitable premises and equipment. The curriculum and the quality of tuition continue to be of a suitable standard. Staff capably deliver the Mindalive curriculum, but do not currently have qualifications to be registered as teachers by the New Zealand Teachers Council. This is a matter currently under discussion between Mindalive, the Council and the Ministry of Education.

3 Statutory Obligations

There are currently no staff who hold a practising certificate in terms of the Education Act 1989. Staff with day-to-day responsibility for children’s education each have a Limited Authority to Teacher (LAT). One of the Patrons, a fully registered teacher, provides some professional support and supervision.

The New Zealand Teacher Council policy requires schools that employ LAT staff to ensure that there is teacher education, professional development, and performance management for LAT staff. These systems are not currently in place, but it is the school’s view that these policies do not apply in respect to the Mindalive staff.

4 Conclusion

The curriculum, premise, equipment and standard of tuition provided by Mindalive remains efficient as defined within Section 35A of the Education Act 1989. The issue in respect to staffing referred to above continues to be a matter for discussion between Mindalive, the New Zealand Teachers Council and the Ministry of Education.

Richard Thornton

National Manager Review Services

Northern Region

About the School

School type	Private School
Numbers of staff	4 full 2 part-time
School roll	52
Gender composition	Boys 42 Girls 10
Review team on site	November 2010
Date of this report	16 February 2011
Previous ERO reports	Private School Review Report Private School Review Report	October 2007 November 2004