For Schools and Kura

We work with schools and kura to help them and their learners/ākonga flourish. We’re interested in what’s working well and what can improve.

What types of review we do

We review all Māori-medium and English-medium schools and kura.

This includes Kaupapa Māori kura and Kura Motuhake, state and state integrated schools and kura, private and independent schools, charter schools | kura hourua and homeschooling.

We also check on schools and kura with international students or school hostels, and new and merging schools’ readiness to open.

Why we review

We want to understand and share how every school or kura achieves positive outcomes for all its learners/ākonga.

We help schools and kura evaluate and improve their own practice.

We take an evidence-based approach to reviews. Our reviewers work with schools and kura to make independent judgements based on evidence and evaluation indicators.

We focus on equitable and excellent outcomes for all learners/ākonga.

Our approach is driven by our whakataukī: Ko te Tamaiti te Pūtake o te Kaupapa | The Child – the Heart of the Matter.

Who reads our review reports

Our reports are read by:

• learners/ākonga, parents, whānau, hapū and iwi

• teachers/kaiako

• school principals/tumuaki and trustees

• government policy makers.

Why we publish our review reports on our website

Publishing the reports online supports parents and whānau to know more about their child’s education, make suggestions and ask questions. Parent and whānau involvement plays a big part in a child’s educational success.

Every school and kura has the opportunity to give feedback on the report before we publish it.

How we keep our process fair and transparent

We designed our review process to be as open as possible. There should be no surprises.

Reviewers are professional evaluators who’ve had many years of teaching and leadership experience before joining us. All have specialised training in education evaluation. Some current school principals / tumuaki sometimes join reviews.

Reviewers follow the Public Service Commission’s Standards of Integrity and Conduct. Schools and kura can expect review teams to be fair, impartial, responsible and trustworthy.

All review officers designated under the section 465 of the Education and Training Act 2020 have been Police vetted.