Peace Experiment

Education institution number:

787

School type:

Secondary (Year 7-15)

School gender:

Co-Educational

Definition:

Not Applicable

Total roll:

Website:

http://www.peace.school.nz

Telephone:

09 391 9200

Address:

18 Pilkington Road, Panmure, Auckland

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Peace Experiment

02 Dec 2022

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

Refer to conclusion below

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

At the time of the onsite review, ERO identified the school was not meeting an aspect of the criteria relating to suitable staffing for registration as a private school. This requires school leaders and the board to ensure all non-registered staff are police vetted every three years.

This matter has been addressed and all non-registered staff are now police vetted.

On the basis of the information obtained during and following the review, ERO considers that Peace Experiment now 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.

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

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

2 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

Peace Experiment - 03/05/2018

03 May 2018

Findings

On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that Peace Experiment 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 private schools between 6 and 12 months after they have been provisionally registered, and to report to the Ministry of Education for the Secretary to consider full registration.

This ERO review follows the provisional registration of the school by the Ministry of Education in March 2017, and focuses on whether the school now meets the criteria for full registration as a private school.

The school is owned and operated by the Open Hands Trust, which is a registered charity.

2 Criteria for Registration

Peace Experiment has the Montessori philosophy and peace at the centre of its curriculum. The board and staff have a strong commitment to giving opportunities for learners to define their relationship with education, and give leadership in creating a more peaceful world. Students are encouraged to explore what education for peace looks like in the community and environment. This exploration involves an ‘experiment’ process, and is reflected in the school’s name.

The school offers a suitable curriculum that is negotiated and designed with each learner. Tuition helps learners to develop self efficacy and confidence as lifelong learners. Students give direction for the study of their interests, supported by the New Zealand Curriculum learning areas and Montessori resources. They have access to experts including staff, members of the community, local personnel, and a wide range of international contacts. Timetables and programmes evolve to suit students’ individual needs.

The school plans to seek accreditation to offer students the opportunity to achieve standards in the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF). Teachers will follow NZQF assessment procedures.

Monitoring and assessment follows the needs of the learners, and is primarily focused on enhancing their learning. Achievement expectations are negotiated with each learner based on their readiness and aspirations. Assessments are personalised to individual students. A database is being developed to collect each student’s work and achievements, and the record of fortnightly conferences that students have with teachers. This information is regularly shared with parents. More formal written reports are to be sent to parents twice yearly.

The board provides suitable premises that have access to local community facilities within easy walking distance. These include a local library, swimming pool, mountain track, public gymnasium, rock climbing wall, and netball and basketball courts. The school is sufficiently equipped to support the curriculum, and the principal is continuing to extend the range of resources. Good progress has been made in providing digital technologies to support students’ individual and collaborative learning.

The school has suitable staffing for the current roll. It is led by the principal who has initiated the establishment of this school and its vision. He is developing operational policies and procedures relevant to the school’s context. ERO discussed with the principal the need to develop guidelines for teacher appraisal that meet Education Council requirements for endorsing teachers’ practising certificates.

The school managers have attested that they comply with the provisions of section 35G in respect to 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 Conclusion

On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that Peace Experiment 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

3 May 2018

About the School

Location	Panmure, Auckland
Ministry of Education profile number	787
School type	Secondary (Years 7 to 15)
School roll	15
Gender composition	Boys 10 Girls 5
Ethnic composition	Māori Pākehā Pasifika	1 12 2
Review team on site	March 2018
Date of this report	3 May 2018
Most recent ERO report(s)	No previous ERO report