Mt Hobson Academy

Mt Hobson Academy

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 Mt Hobson Academy 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.

Other Matters

Provision for international students

The school is a signatory provider to the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016 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.

At the time of this review there were four international students attending the school. International students receive an individualised programme appropriate for their educational and pastoral needs. The school regularly reviews its policies, procedures and programmes for instruction for international students.

Filivaifale Jason Swann
Director Review and Improvement Services (Northern)

Northern Region - Te Tai Raki

10 November 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 Hobson Middle School - 25/06/2018

Findings

On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that Mt Hobson Middle 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 full registration.

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

2 Criteria for Registration

Mt Hobson Middle School is a small, private school for Year 7 to 13 students. Villa Education Trust, its owner, provides students with suitable premises, staffing, equipment and standards of tuition. Students follow a suitable curriculum that is consistent with the principles and achievement expectations of The New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) and underpinned by Christian values. Well considered policies and procedures successfully guide school operations.

Students experience small classes and have opportunities for individual learning in a remodelled villa. The well maintained villa provides students with a choice of learning spaces to work in. Since the 2013 ERO review, the trust has opened two other schools, in South and West Auckland. Students at Mt Hobson Middle School now have opportunities to interact with a larger group of students across the three schools for sporting and cultural events.

The school’s strong philosophy, reinforced by its core values, has a positive influence on school operations. Respectful relationships at all levels of the school provide a foundation for successful teaching and learning. Students benefit from the positive and influential interactions they have with other students and adults.

The broad Year 7 to 10 curriculum provides students with a balance of structured class teaching and independent project work. Community facilities and resources such as libraries, museums, galleries and sports facilities are used by students for their learning. Students are able to apply their learning in practical contexts, including opportunities that provide service for different communities, in New Zealand and overseas.

From 2016 onwards, students are able to continue their Year 11 to 13 studies at the school. For 2018, five students and their families have decided to do this. They are joined in a National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEA) recognised programme by other students, some of whom have affiliations to the West and South Auckland Schools. The programme is in the process of being reviewed so that the school can optimise teaching programmes to cater for students’ different learning pathways.

The principal, supported by an experienced teacher in a learning coach role, maintain high expectations for student progress, achievement and wellbeing. Staff have a shared commitment to supporting the successful transition of individual students through, and beyond the school.

Teachers are suitably qualified and experienced. Appraisal processes help teachers to reflect on the effectiveness of their teaching. Teachers use achievement information to modify their practice to suit the requirements of diverse and capable learners. They use relevant assessment tools to gauge students' ongoing progress and achievement and develop individual based plans (IBPs) that inform teaching and learning practice. Parents and whānau receive regular reports about how well their children are achieving and engaging in learning.

Students are well supported to be responsible for their learning. They know the purpose of lessons. Classroom spaces, including specialist rooms for science and technology, are suitably resourced. Students have ready access to digital devices to support their learning.

Good systems are in place to sustain the effective management of the premises and to ensure health and safety requirements are met. 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

Good systems are in place to enable 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 Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016 (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 this review there were three international students attending the school.

International students are well cared for and experience programmes that are suited to their learning and wellbeing. The school’s monitoring system for international students is effectively administered. The board receives annual reports about the quality of education provided for international students, their care and how well they are progressing and achieving.

5 Conclusion

On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that Mt Hobson Middle 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

25 June 2018

About the School

Location

Remuera, Auckland

Ministry of Education profile number

487

School type

Composite (Years 1 to 15)

School roll

54

Number of international students

3

Gender composition

Boys 34 Girls 20

Ethnic composition

Pākehā
Māori
Samoan
Tongan
Cook Islands Māori
Chinese
Indian
Southeast Asian
other European

27
7
5
5
2
2
1
1
4

Review team on site

June 2018

Date of this report

25 June 2018

Most recent ERO report(s)

Private School Review
Private School Review
Private School Review

June 2013
March 2010
January 2007

Mt Hobson Middle School - 13/06/2013

Findings

On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that Mt Hobson Middle 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.

The criteria for registration are that the school —

  1. has premises that are suitable, as described in section 35D; 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; 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; and
  4. has equipment that is suitable for the curriculum being delivered or to be delivered at the school; 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 section 35F; and
  7. has managers who are fit and proper persons (as described in section 35G) to be managers of a private school.

2 Criteria for Registration

Mt Hobson Middle School, in Auckland, is a small private school for girls and boys in Years 7 to 10 owned by the Villa Education Trust. The school continues to provide students with suitable premises, staffing, equipment and standards of tuition. Students learn through a suitable curriculum that is based on The New Zealand Curriculum. A sound framework of policies and procedures guides school operations.

The school is situated in a renovated villa. The campus is fully maintained and provides a variety of teaching spaces for small class and individual learning. A second campus in Parnell, known as the Central Auckland Middle School, operating at the time of the 2010 ERO review, was closed in 2011.

Christian philosophy and values influence the positive ethos of the school. Students enjoy small class groups and purposeful learning environments that are enhanced by respectful relationships between teachers and students. The principal, who is also the academic manager, has high expectations for student progress and achievement.

The school offers students a broad education that emphasises English, mathematics and science. The learning programme provides a balance between structured class teaching and independent project work. The curriculum supports the school’s emphasis on individualised learning where students have some choice of learning context. Extensive use is made of community facilities and resources that include libraries, museums, galleries and sports facilities. Community service activities are designed to help students to develop empathy and consideration for others.

Teachers are suitably qualified and bring a range of experience to their teaching. They work cooperatively to implement an integrated, project-based programme. Efficient timetabling maximises the use of school facilities and resources. Specialist teachers provide expertise in the visual arts, music and technology. Teachers participate in ongoing review and development of teaching and learning programmes. There is an advice and guidance programme to support provisionally registered teachers to obtain full registration.

Teachers know their students well. Individual based plans are developed for all students to guide their learning and monitor progress. Teachers use appropriate assessment tools to determine student achievement and report to parents regularly on progress. They have also begun to report student achievement in relation to the National Standards for students in Years 7 and 8. Students are well supported to make the transition into the school and on to senior secondary schooling.

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

Good systems are in place to enable the school’s managing body to be assured that its other statutory obligations are met.

4 Other Matters

Provision for international students

Mt Hobson Middle School is providing its international students with a good standard of education and support. The Trust business manager is responsible for the pastoral care of international students. The school provides English language support where appropriate. 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 were two international students 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 appropriate.

5 Conclusion

On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that Mt Hobson Middle 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

13 June 2013

About the School

Location

Remuera, Auckland

Ministry of Education profile number

487

School type

Private (Years 7 to 10)

School roll

55

Number of international students

2

Gender composition

Boys 46

Girls 9

Ethnic composition

NZ European/Pākehā

Māori

Other

42

4

9

Review team on site

April 2013

Date of this report

13 June 2013

Most recent ERO report(s)

Private School Review

Private School Review

Private School Review

March 2010

January 2007

October 2003