Ficino School

Education institution number:
1935
School type:
Full Primary
School gender:
Co-Educational
Definition:
Not Applicable
Total roll:
124
Telephone:
Address:

27 Esplanade Road, Mount Eden, Auckland

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Ficino School

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 of Education will be informed and they 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)

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.

The school has regularly reviewed policies and procedures to provide for a physically and emotionally safe place for students.

Conclusion

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

Filivaifale Jason Swann
Director Review and Improvement Services (Northern)

Northern Region - Te Tai Raki

29 September 2022

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

Ficino School - 11/06/2018

Findings

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

Section 35I of the Education Act 1989 requires the Education Review Office (ERO) to review fully registered private schools and to report to the Ministry of Education on whether each school continues to meet the criteria for registration.

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

2 Criteria for Registration

Ficino School is a small private school located in the Auckland suburb of Mt Eden that provides education for students from Year 1 to Year 8. The school continues to provide students with suitable premises, staffing, equipment and standards of tuition. Students learn through a suitable curriculum which is shared with parents through newsletters and parent meetings. A sound framework of policies and procedures guides the school’s operations.

The school is managed by a trust board. The school’s ethos and curriculum are modelled on those of St James independent schools of London, and the Cambridge International Primary Programme (CIPP) for mathematics, literacy and science. The board of trustees undertakes to provide an environment that supports students to enjoy healthy, happy and rewarding education experiences.

The school provides a broad curriculum including extensive learning opportunities outside classrooms. Achievement results in literacy and mathematics indicate that most children achieve very well. Those students identified as not working at expected levels are provided with extra support. A specialist teacher supports children who are English speakers of other languages to access the school’s curriculum. Children identified with special abilities are offered enrichment and extension classes.

The buildings and grounds continue to be well presented and maintained. Beyond regular maintenance, several improvements have been made to the buildings and property to promote children’s safety. Additional playground facilities have enhanced children's outdoor experiences. The school has also established an early learning service on the school site.

Teaching methods reflect the school’s ethos of respect and mindfulness. While following the prescribed CIPP plans, teachers are responsive to children’s ability levels. Years 7 and 8 students are largely taught by subject specialists. Across the school, teachers’ strengths and interests are used to teach subjects such as art, music and physical education.

Junior students regularly set goals to self-assess their writing progress. School leaders agree they could extend the opportunities for other students to develop greater ownership of their learning. This could include following up on a goal-setting trial undertaken in 2017. This would align well with the school’s aim to foster a ‘thirst for knowledge’ and ‘a passion for inquiry’ in children.

Staffing levels are generous with small classes and high ratios of teachers to students. Teachers are suitably qualified. Additional part-time teachers help students to access the broad curriculum. The school’s formal appraisal process is focused on teachers’ development as reflective practitioners.

The school’s managers have attested that they comply with the provisions of section 35G in respect to their being fit and proper persons to manage the school.

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 Pastoral Care of International Students 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 was one international student attending the school.

The school’s practices and processes provide good support for pastoral care and quality of education. The school leaders make appropriate provision for monitoring their work with international students.

Conclusion

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

Julie Foley

Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern (Acting)

Te Tai Raki - Northern Region

11 June 2018

About the School

Location

Mt Eden, Auckland

Ministry of Education profile number

1935

School type

Full Primary (Years 1 to 8)

School roll

116

Number of international students

1

Gender composition

Girls 52% Boys 48%

Ethnic composition

Maori
Pākehā
Chinese
Indian
Samoan
Middle Eastern
other Asian
other European
other

2%
34%
25%
20%
4%
2%
5%
3%
5%

Special Features

N/A

Review team on site

March 2018

Date of this report

11 June 2018

Most recent ERO report(s)

Private School Review
Private School Review
Private School Review

October 2013
April 2010
March 2007

Ficino School - 18/10/2013

Findings

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

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

Ficino School, a small private school located in the Auckland suburb of Mount Eden, provides education for students from Year 1 to Year 8. The school continues to provide students with suitable premises, staffing, equipment and standards of tuition. Students learn through a suitable curriculum. A sound framework of policies and procedures guides the school’s operations.

The school was founded in 1997 and is managed by a trust board, who are members of the School of Philosophy. The school’s ethos and curriculum are modelled on those of the St James Independent Schools of London. In keeping with the founders' intent, the school aims to uphold traditional virtues and spiritual values and to provide a comprehensive and principled education. The board of trustees undertakes to provide a peaceful, happy learning environment.

The buildings and grounds continue to be well presented and maintained. Teaching facilities are spacious and well resourced. Improvements have been made to the library and staffroom over the last three years. The board has invested in improving facilities and equipment for children’s physical activity. Classroom resources to support the teaching of literacy and new information technologies have been purchased.

The curriculum is broad and continues to reflect the intentions of the school’s founders. The principal has introduced elements of the Cambridge International Primary Programme into the curriculum for students in Years 1 to 8. Assessment tools related to this programme enable teachers to monitor the progress and achievement of students in literacy, mathematics and science against other students who are also following the Cambridge curriculum. Recent test results indicate that students achieve well.

Teaching methods reflect the principles outlined in the school charter and maintain the traditions of the school. Teachers encourage positive interactions with students and between students. Students participate in educational opportunities that extend beyond the classroom.

Trustees have expressed interest in developing teaching practices that promote greater student ownership of learning. This could be the focus of future professional development to further support the board’s objective of providing students with an excellent standard of teaching.

Staffing levels are generous with small classes and high ratios of teachers to students. Teachers are suitably qualified and bring a wide range of curriculum strengths and interests to their teaching. Additional part-time teachers help to provide a broad curriculum that includes the arts, physical education and additional learning support. Staff performance is monitored by the principal who encourages teachers to reflect on their teaching practice.

Throughout the time of the ERO review, students were observed to show respect for their teachers and each other. The school reports that the test results for its Year 6 students who sat the Cambridge International Primary Programme tests compared very well with those of students from other schools.

The school’s managers have attested that they comply with the provisions of section 35G in respect to their being fit and proper persons to manage the school.

3 Other Statutory 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

Ficino School provides international students with a good standard of education and English language support, as appropriate. The principal is responsible for the pastoral care of international students. Classroom teachers cater for students’ individual learning needs in small class settings.

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. At the time of this review there was one international student attending the school. The school has attested that it complies with all aspects of the Code. ERO’s investigations confirmed that the school’s self-review process for international students is thorough.

5 Conclusion

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

Dale Bailey

National Manager Review Services Northern Region

18 October 2013

About the School

Location

Mount Eden, Auckland

Ministry of Education profile number

1935

School type

Private School (Years 1 to 8)

School roll

126

Number of international students

1

Gender composition

Girls 55% Boys 45%

Ethnic composition

NZ European/Pākehā

Māori

Indian

Chinese

Other

60%

10%

12%

9%

9%

Review team on site

August 2013

Date of this report

18 October 2013

Most recent ERO report(s)

Private School Review

Private School Review

Private School Review

April 2010

March 2007

May 2004