Summit Point School

Education institution number:

752

School type:

Full Primary

School gender:

Co-Educational

Definition:

School for pupils with learning/social difficulties

Total roll:

Website:

http://www.summitpoint.co.nz/

Telephone:

09 973 5354

Address:

1 Fred Thomas Drive, Takapuna, Auckland

View on map

Summit Point School

16 Feb 2023

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

Refer to conclusion below

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

The school is currently working through a process of relicensing with the Ministry of Education, to now include Year 9 and 10 students.

On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that Summit Point 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

16 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

Summit Point School - 04/10/2017

04 Oct 2017

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 October 2016, and focuses on whether the school now meets the criteria for full registration as a private school.

2 Criteria for Registration

Summit Point School is a small private school catering for students in Years 2 to 8 whose capability is greater than their achievement, and those who need acceleration and enrichment. The school's approach is suitable for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. Students who are intelligent and creative, and have specific learning difficulties are eligible for enrolment. The school is owned and operated by Summit Point Limited, which is a registered charity.

The directors and staff have a strong commitment to the school’s values and vision to provide a unique learning environment, and for students to achieve educational success, develop independence, social skills and self esteem.

The daily programme helps achieve this with its three main strands of thematic, instructional and experiential learning. Individualised and group programmes in literacy and mathematics are provided during the instructional time. These programmes are based on students’ learning needs, and include multi-sensory activities to support their learning. Thematic and experiential programmes integrate the learning areas of The New Zealand Curriculum.

The board provides suitable premises, including classrooms that are spacious, light and warm. The board has developed an outdoor playground, and teachers and students may use the adjacent school’s playing field, gymnasium and hall. The school is sufficiently equipped to support the curriculum, and the directors continue to build up the quantity and range of resources. Good progress has been made in providing digital technologies to support students’ individual and collaborative learning.

The school has suitable staffing. It is ably led by the academic director who has been the initiator of this school and its vision. Together with the board, she is developing operational policies and procedures, relevant to this school’s context. Staffing reflects the board’s aim of no more than 12 students in each class. Teaching assistants work alongside teachers to support students’ learning in class.

The school has suitable standards of tuition. All teachers are registered and there are high expectations that teaching practice will be responsive to individual students’ learning strengths, needs and interests. Teachers’ professional learning is mainly focused on growing their understanding of, and strategies to support, the specific learning difficulties that are a challenge for individual students. The directors are currently developing a more formalised appraisal policy and procedures to meet the requirements of the Education Council.

Parents are involved in making decisions about their children’s learning. They receive detailed reports about their children’s progress, achievement and social and emotional growth. Parents are also kept informed of curriculum and school events.

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 Conclusion

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

Violet Tu’uga Stevenson

Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern (Acting)

Te Tai Raki - Northern Region

4 October 2017

About the School

Location	Takapuna, Auckland
Ministry of Education profile number	752
School type	Private Full Primary (Years 1 to 8)
School roll	35
Gender composition	Boys 19 Girls 16
Ethnic composition	Māori Pākehā	2 33
Review team on site	August 2017
Date of this report	4 October 2017
Most recent ERO report(s)	No previous ERO reports