Mt Albert School

Mt Albert School

Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report

Background

This Profile Report was written within 8 months of the Education Review Office and Mt Albert School working in Te Ara Huarau, an improvement evaluation approach used in most English Medium State and State Integrated Schools. For more information about Te Ara Huarau see ERO’s website. www.ero.govt.nz

Context 

Mt Albert School, located in Mt Albert, Auckland, caters for students from years 1 to 6. The school’s vision is for children to be the best they can be.

Mt Albert School’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are:

  • ākonga /learners, access a rich dynamic curriculum that empowers them to realise their potential

  • key competencies support ākonga to be confident, self-aware, creative and empathetic thinkers who contribute positively to their world

  • a supportive, engaged school ensuring greater connectedness and belonging for all

  • innovative, responsive environments support ākonga to develop their potential.

You can find a copy of the school’s strategic and annual plan on Mt Albert School’s website.

ERO and the school are working together to evaluate how effectively school learning conditions and practices consistently provide for agentic ākonga engagement and equitable learning outcomes.

The rationale for selecting this evaluation is:

  • an explicit focus on improving equitable ākonga outcomes

  • demonstrated impact of kaiako/teacher and tumuaki/leader talk used to build ākonga agency

     

  • a continued focus on building kaiako data literacy efficacy and evidence-based interpretation of data

  • recognition of school support for on-going development of kaiako inquiry

  • key competencies and values are integral to ākonga and school partnership outcomes.

The school expects to see:

  • ākonga achieving to their fullest potential in their learning and wellbeing

  • greater ākonga agency across the broader aspects of the school

  • deliberate evidence-based data analysis to inform teaching and learning practices and processes

  • consistent response to ākonga identity, culture, and language through building further connections with whānau, community and iwi

  • strengthened evaluative capability individually and in teams focused on equity and excellent ākonga learning outcomes.

Strengths

The school can draw from the following strengths to support it in its goal to determine the impact of continuously improving school conditions and practices that support ākonga agency in their learning:

  • ākonga want to do well; they are strong contributors and participators at school

  • capable, informed leadership builds efficacy and agency across the school

  • collaborative approaches: - kaiako and tumuaki engage in evidence-based discussions and interpret evidence looking for improvement and equitable outcomes for all ākonga

  • research underpins decision making and strategic thinking

  • a well-resourced school with a supportive whānau and community.

Where to next?

Moving forward, the school will prioritise:

  • kaiako and tumuaki synthesising, interpreting and using data, including ākonga voice gathered in authentic contexts, to strengthen evaluative capability, inform teaching and ensure equitable learning outcomes

  • learning environments that strengthen evidence informed conversations between kaiako with ākonga and whānau supporting ākonga to be the best they can be

  • reciprocal learning centred relationships that contribute to enhancing each child’s language, culture and identity

  • continued development of a culturally responsive local curriculum.

ERO’s role will be to support the school in its evaluation for improvement cycle to improve outcomes for all learners. ERO will support the school in reporting their progress to the community. The next public report on ERO’s website will be a Te Ara Huarau | School Evaluation Report and is due within three years.

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

9 December 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

Mt Albert School

Board Assurance with Regulatory and Legislative Requirements Report 2022 to 2025

As at May 2022 the Mt Albert School Board of Trustees has attested to the following regulatory and legislative requirements:

Board Administration

Yes

Curriculum

Yes

Management of Health, Safety and Welfare

Yes

Personnel Management

Yes

Finance

Yes

Assets

Yes

Further Information

For further information please contact Mt Albert School Board of Trustees.

The next Board of Trustees assurance that it is meeting regulatory and legislative requirements will be reported, along with the Te Ara Huarau | School Evaluation Report, within three years.

Information on ERO’s role and process in this review can be found on the Education Review Office website.

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

9 December 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

Mt Albert School

Provision for International Students Report

Background

The Education Review Office reviews schools that are signatories 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.

Findings 

Mt Albert Primary School has attested that it complies with all aspects of the Code.

At the time of this review there were no international students attending the school, and no exchange students. 

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

9 December 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

Mt Albert School - 23/09/2013

1 Context

What are the important features of this school that have an impact on student learning?

Mt Albert Primary is a Years 1 to 6 inner-city Auckland school. The school was established in the 1920’s. The attractive older buildings and mature trees are local landmarks and are treasured by the local community.

Changing demographics within the school’s multicultural community are reflected in the school’s growing roll and increased number of teaching staff. Four temporary classrooms are currently used to cater for the higher numbers of students. A school maintenance programme is being undertaken and planning has begun for additional classrooms and resource facilities.

Cultural respect and inclusion are key features of school values and practices promoted by the long serving principal. Students are proud of their cultural backgrounds and the school’s curriculum has clear priorities relating to Māori and Pacific learning contexts. The board has appropriately included expectations for Māori and Pacific success in the school’s revised 2013 charter.

A recent survey of parents has provided the board of trustees with useful feedback for improving school and community engagement. At the time of this review a significant number of parents were seeking roles as trustees in the scheduled board election. Parents express willingness to strengthen partnerships with the school that support students’ learning.

2 Learning

How well does this school use achievement information to make positive changes to learners’ engagement, progress and achievement?

Student progress is assessed regularly. Teachers use achievement information to group students for learning and to inform their planning. They share achievement information with students in a variety of ways. Students understand their reading levels and numeracy stages and talk with teachers about their learning goals.

Teachers are using achievement information to identify and target individuals and groups of students who are underachieving. They are making increased use of the school management database to monitor and track student progress and achievement. Teachers are also using student achievement and progress information to reflect on their classroom practice as part of their annual appraisal with the principal.

Programmes to support students with special learning needs and those who have English as an additional language have been reviewed. Appropriately trained learning assistants work with these students within classroom programmes to support their progress. The new initiatives are reported to the board. The impact of the programmes on lifting student progress should continue to be evaluated as part of school self review.

Student achievement reported to the board indicates that many students achieve well and make good progress. Teachers are working collegially to share strategies for making consistent judgements in relation to the National Standards. Teacher judgements are moderated within the teaching teams. Moderation between the teaching teams and with other schools would further improve the reliability of the data.

Extensive information about student progress and achievement is provided to the board by the principal. The data is analysed in relation to priority learners and used to set annual goals in relation to the National Standards. School leaders are encouraged to identify more specific and measurable student achievement targets. Evaluation of progress toward achieving these targets would help trustees to better resource student learning needs.

Teachers are currently engaged in professional development to strengthen classroom assessment and learning practices and team leaders are strengthening their capabilities to support teacher development. Other areas where the use of student achievement information could improve include:

  • strengthening the school-wide tracking, analysis and reporting of student progress and achievement
  • reviewing the frequency of reporting to parents in relation to National Standards.

3 Curriculum

How effectively does this school’s curriculum promote and support student learning?

The school provides a friendly and inclusive environment for learning. Students relate positively to each other and to their teachers. They understand the school’s values and expectations for learning and behaviour.

Students engage well in the school’s curriculum. They have opportunities to explore relevant topics, through which teachers integrate reading and writing, and information technology. Students enjoy singing and physical activity, including swimming. The school-wide thinking skills programme and inquiry learning approaches align to the key competencies and objectives of The New Zealand Curriculum.

Some teachers are skilled at helping students to understand learning processes. They give valuable feedback to students about their learning expectations and how to achieve success. These good practices should be used more consistently. Team leaders could also explore ways that students could document their learning progress and achievements to share with parents.

The emphasis in the curriculum on authentic contexts for learning supports Māori and Pacific students’ language culture and identity. Initiatives to engage Pacific parents in the curriculum have been successful and model the potential of strengthening learning partnerships with parents.

School-wide curriculum leadership and management should be strengthened. A distributed school leadership model has been introduced. However, increased curriculum leadership is needed to support and sustain school-wide initiatives in teaching and learning. The role of the curriculum leader should provide school-wide quality assurance in teaching and learning, particularly in relation to:

  • implementing and sustaining teacher development initiatives
  • moderating teacher judgements in relation to the National Standards
  • ensuring that programmes for beginning teachers are implemented and managed effectively.

How effectively does the school promote educational success for Māori, as Māori?

There are 22 Māori students currently attending the school. Māori student progress and achievement at each year level is reported in relation to National Standards annually. The board has included a statement in its charter recognising the unique status of tangata whenua based onKa Hikitia, the Ministry of Education guidelines for Māori success.

The large and enthusiastic kapa haka group is a credit to the school and is valued by the school community. However, more could be done to encourage whānau to share their aspirations for their children. The board should consult parents of Māori students, review its Treaty of Waitangi policy and evaluate how effectively goals and targets for Māori success are met.

4 Sustainable Performance

How well placed is the school to sustain and improve its performance?

While there is ongoing professional development sustaining and continually improve the quality of teaching and learning, the school is currently not well placed to sustain and improve its performance in areas outlined below where the quality of school governance, property development and community partnerships need to be improved.

While the board has a policy review schedule, many of the board’s policies are out of date and some do not reflect current legislative requirements. The board needs clear policies and procedures as a framework for school governance and management. The school has extensive planning documents that are the basis for self review; however more robust evaluation of school goals would strengthen the board's approach to self review and improve its level of compliance.

Property development has been a priority for the board in recent years. Significant property improvements include repainting the buildings and upgrading the classrooms. New computer technologies also support students learning. However, there are significant short and long term plans yet to be completed. Improved facilities for staff, a new school library, upgraded toilet facilities, additional classrooms and systematic maintenance are among the challenges that the newly elected board will need support to manage.

Parents and community members support school events and parent evenings and many are keen to make further contributions. A number of parents and community members are, however, dissatisfied with aspects of school communications and operations. Training is recommended for the new board to meet the challenges of a growing school roll and to improve school and community partnership. The school cannot make progress until these concerns are fully investigated and resolved.

Sustaining and improving governance in the current environment is a challenge. ERO recommends external support to help the new board develop its governance capacity.

Board assurance on legal requirements

Before the review, the board of trustees and principal of the school completed the ERO Board Assurance Statement and Self-Audit Checklists. In these documents they attested that they had taken all reasonable steps to meet their legislative obligations related to:

  • board administration
  • curriculum
  • management of health, safety and welfare
  • personnel management
  • financial management
  • asset management.

During the review, ERO checked the following items because they have a potentially high impact on student achievement:

  • emotional safety of students (including prevention of bullying and sexual harassment)
  • physical safety of students
  • teacher registration
  • processes for appointing staff
  • stand-downs, suspensions, expulsions and exclusions
  • attendance.

ERO identified areas of non-compliance relating to policy implementation, self review, teacher registration and health and safety. In order to comply with legislative requirements the board must:

  1. ensure that all teachers have a current practicing certificate and that non-teaching staff are police vetted. [National Administration Guideline 6].
  2. maintain up to date policies that reflect current legislative requirements. [National Administration Guideline 6].
  3. implement hazard management systems, including training for staff, that are reported regularly to the board. [National Administration Guideline 5].
  4. improve systems for monitoring attendance, recording accidents and approving education outside the classroom. [National Administration Guideline 5].
  5. develop effective systems for managing complaints. [National Administration Guideline 2].
  6. implement systematic self-review processes that identify areas for school improvement. [National Administration Guideline 2(b)].

Recommendations to other agencies

ERO recommends that:

The Secretary for Education considers what support should be given to the newly elected board of trustees to assist it to meet legal obligations, strengthen curriculum and personnel management and respond to community concerns.

When is ERO likely to review the school again?

ERO intends to carry out another review over the course of one-to-two years.

Dale Bailey

National Manager Review Services Northern Region

23 September 2013

About the School

Location

Mt Albert, Auckland

Ministry of Education profile number

1381

School type

Contributing (Years 1 to 6)

School roll

317

Gender composition

Girls 54%

Boys 46%

Ethnic composition

NZ European/Pākehā

Māori

Asian

Indian

Samoan

Tongan

Niue

Other Pacific

Middle Eastern

24%

7%

21%

17%

14%

7%

2%

6%

2%

Review team on site

May 2013

Date of this report

23 September 2013

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

Education Review

Education Review

June 2010

May 2007

October 2003

Mt Albert School - 17/08/2016

Findings

The school has made good progress since 2013. Stronger curriculum leadership is having a positive impact on student learning opportunities and achievement outcomes.

ERO is likely to carry out the next review in three years.

1 Background and Context

What is the background and context for this school’s review?

Mt Albert School caters for students from Years 1 to 6. The school has a growing roll and increased number of teaching staff. A new 10 classroom block opened in 2015 to cater for the higher number of students. Māori students make up eight percent of the school roll. Another 29 percent of the students have Pacific heritage.

The 2013 ERO report noted that students enjoyed a friendly and inclusive learning environment. However, the report highlighted concerns about curriculum leadership, the use of student achievement information, and the quality of governance and management practices. For these reasons ERO decided to continue to monitor the school’s progress through a longitudinal review process.

Staff have participated in the Ministry of Education (MoE) Leadership and Assessment Contract to grow their leadership skills and their capability to use assessment information to make positive changes for learners and to grow leadership skills. The board sought School Trustee Association (NZSTA) support and guidance to assist trustees and school leaders to develop their capacity to implement changes. Over the last three years the school’s leadership has remained the same, with some trustee turnover on the board.

2 Review and Development

How effectively is the school addressing its priorities for review and development?

Priorities identified for review and development

ERO and the school identified the following priorities for the review:

  • developing curriculum leadership to support and sustain school-wide initiatives in teaching and learning
  • using achievement information to make positive changes to learners’ engagement, progress and achievement
  • growing school governance and management capability to respond to the challenges in the school.
Progress

There has been good progress against all three review priority areas.

Effective curriculum leadership is now evident. Designated curriculum leadership positions are in place, providing clear lines of responsibilities and expectations for curriculum leaders. Middle school leaders have been empowered and energised to lead learning at the different year levels. They are open to new learning and the positive impact of the professional learning programme is helping them use different curriculum leadership approaches.

Appropriate systems have been set up to support and sustain curriculum initiatives. The school now has systems to support the ongoing development of teaching practice and quality assurance. The strengths of these systems is in the way they promote teacher reflection about practice and are supported by good access to ongoing professional learning and development for all staff.

Stronger curriculum leadership is having a positive impact on learners. Different teaching approaches are increasing students' understanding of the role they can play in the learning process. As a result, students have greater ownership of their learning and achievement outcomes. School leaders are now well placed to revisit the school curriculum documentation so that it provides coherent guidelines and direction for teachers, parents and students.

The school has improved the use of achievement information to support better learning outcomes for students. There is now a shared ownership of achievement information by school leaders. Leaders have grown their capability to analyse data and inquire into patterns and trends. The school has good systems to support reliable, well evidenced, teacher judgments in relation to the National Standards. Student progress and achievement information is shared with students at class level and used as evidence in professional discussions.

There has been some refinement in how achievement information is reported to the board. This is an area that continues to need rationalising to support strategic decision making.

Overall, school achievement information shows a rise in student achievement in mathematics and writing. Reading achievement remains high, with the school meeting the 2017 government target of 85 percent of students achieving at and above the National Standard. The 2015 National Standards data shows disparities for some cohorts of students across the different standards.

Governance capability has strengthened. The board and school management have documented a useful school charter to guide school operations and development. A more strategic and useful school policy framework is now in place. New board structures are resulting in clearer financial reporting and property management. 

3 Sustainable performance and self review

How well placed is the school to sustain and continue to improve and review its performance?

The school is well placed to sustain its current good practices and continue to improve its performance.

The board has identified there is still work to be done to refine the charter so that it includes clear and measurable goals to help the school monitor progress against their agreed priorities. This work could be enhanced by a period of community and staff consultation to develop a shared understanding of the diverse community the school serves. Consultation should help to build shared ownership of the school’s future priorities and direction.

The review of some governance processes and approaches to reporting requirements has resulted in tension between the board and school managers. The significant challenge that the new board must manage is to:

  • ensure good advice and support is available for trustees and for staff
  • build stronger and more trusting working relationships with school managers.

Key next steps

Key next steps for the board and school leaders to support ongoing school improvement include:

  • documenting a coherent school curriculum
  • continuing to refine the reporting of achievement information to support strategic decision making
  • working together on a shared vision for the future direction of the school
  • building trusting working relationships.

Board assurance on legal requirements

Before the review, the board of trustees and principal of the school completed the ERO Board Assurance Statement and Self-Audit Checklists. In these documents they attested that they had taken all reasonable steps to meet their legislative obligations related to:

  • board administration
  • curriculum
  • management of health, safety and welfare
  • personnel management
  • financial management
  • asset management.

During the review, ERO checked the following items because they have a potentially high impact on student achievement:

  • emotional safety of students (including prevention of bullying and sexual harassment)
  • physical safety of students
  • teacher registration
  • processes for appointing staff
  • stand-downs, suspensions, expulsions and exclusions
  • attendance.

Conclusion

The school has made good progress since 2013. Stronger curriculum leadership is having a positive impact on student learning opportunities and achievement outcomes.

ERO is likely to carry out the next review in three years. 

Graham Randell
Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern

17 August 2016

About the School 

Location

Mt Albert, Auckland

Ministry of Education profile number

1381

School type

Contributing (Years 1 to 6)

School roll

424

Gender composition

Boys      51%
Girls       49%

Ethnic composition

Māori
Pākehā
Pacific nations
Asian
Indian
other ethnicities

  8%
23%
29%
17%
14%
  9%

Review team on site

May 2016

Date of this report

17 August 2016

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review
Education Review
Education Review

September 2013
June 2010
May 2007