Jean Seabrook Memorial School

Education institution number:
2126
School type:
Full Primary
School gender:
Co-Educational
Definition:
School for pupils with learning/social difficulties
Total roll:
0
Telephone:
Address:

68 London Street, Richmond, Christchurch

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Jean Seabrook Memorial School

Findings

On the basis of this information ERO considers that Jean Seabrook Memorial 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.

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 https://www.ero.govt.nz/how-ero-reviews/ero-reviews-of-schools-and-kura/private-and-independent-schools/.

The criteria for registration are that the school —

a) has premises that are suitable, as described in clause 3, Schedule 7; and

b) 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

c) 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

d) has equipment that is suitable for the curriculum being delivered or to be delivered at the school (clause 2(d) Schedule 7); and

e) has a curriculum for teaching, learning, and assessment and makes details of the curriculum and its programme for delivery available for parents; and

f) has suitable tuition standards, as described in clauses 2(e),(f) and 5, Schedule 7; and

g) has managers who are fit and proper persons (as described in clause 6, Schedule 7) to be managers of a private school; and

h) 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

Not 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)

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.

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.

Refer to conclusion below

ERO’s judgement is based on the quality, intent and regular review of the school’s policies and procedures.

Conclusion

During the onsite stage of the review ERO considered that Jean Seabrook Memorial School did not meet the criteria for registration as a private school set out in clauses 2 to 6, Schedule 7 of the Education and Training Act 2020 with specific reference to suitable staffing (clause 2 (c), Schedule 7) and the school being a physically and emotional safe place for students (clause 2(h), Schedule 7)

Sufficient policies and procedures were not in place to guide the understanding of requirements and provide consistency in supporting suitable staffing. Procedures that required development include safety checking of the work force and procedures to comply with Physical Restraint Rules (2017).

Policies and procedures needed to be developed to provide a more useful framework for the school to be able to review its provision of a physically and emotionally safe place for students and adults. This included three areas:

  • implementing procedures for following up student absence
  • developing and implementing an Education Outside of the Classroom (EOTC) policy and procedures
  • strengthening the recently developed Child Protection Policy.

Since the onsite stage of the review the school has provided evidence to show it has addressed all of the criteria above. On the basis of this information ERO considers that Jean Seabrook Memorial 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.

Dr Lesley Patterson
Director Review and Improvement Services (Southern)
Southern Region | Te Tai Tini

24 March 2021 

About the School

The Education Counts website provides further information about the school’s student population, student engagement and student achievement.

Jean Seabrook Memorial School - 21/06/2016

Findings

On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that Jean Seabrook Memorial 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.

2 Criteria for Registration

The school continues to meet the criteria for registration.

The school has an appropriate curriculum for teaching, learning and assessment. This curriculum is linked to the New Zealand Curriculum and suitably adapted to meet the needs of the students who attend this school. There is a strong focus on literacy and numeracy.

The teaching programme provides students with a variety of learning experiences within and beyond the school. It includes a good mix of individual, group and school-wide activities. Displays within the school show the creative ways teachers use the environment to support and promote learning.

Regular assessments undertaken by teachers and a range of specialists provide indepth information about students' progress and learning needs. Teachers and other staff use this information to help focus their teaching. Parents receive detailed reports on their children’s progress and achievement. The ultimate aim for most of the students is to raise their confidence and skills for learning so they can return to mainstream schools.

Teachers provide students with regular and well-focused tuition. Their teaching practices incorporate strategies proved to be effective when teaching students with specific learning disabilities. The low teacher-to-student ratios encourage greater individual support for students on a regular basis.

Teachers are skilled at providing individual and group teaching. The tuition teachers provide is well complemented by support staff and other specialists.

Teachers create a supportive learning environment which encourages students to take risks to extend their learning. They work collaboratively in an effort to be responsive to the varied learning needs of the students. Regular discussions ensure students’ needs are well met by staff.

The school’s staffing is suitable for the age range and year levels of students and the curriculum taught at the school. Teaching staff are registered with the Education Council and hold specific qualifications in relation to teaching students with specific learning difficulties. Teacher aides are well trained for the one-to-one work they do with students.

There is ongoing provision for professional development for teachers. Some timely improvements are being implemented to improve the robustness of the school’s appraisal process.

The school’s purpose-built facilities provide students with a good variety of indoor learning spaces. Recent earthquake strengthening has improved the safety of the school’s buildings. Premises are well maintained.

Teachers use a range of specialist equipment and resources to support students' learning.

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 suitable systems in place for the school’s managing body to be assured that all of its other statutory obligations are met.

4 Conclusion

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

Lesley Patterson

Deputy Chief Review Officer Southern

21 June 2016

About the School

Location

Christchurch

Ministry of Education profile number

2126

School type

Full Primary (Years 1 to 8)

School roll

16

Gender composition

Boys 11; Girls 5

Ethnic composition

Pākehā

Māori

Irish

12

3

1

Review team on site

May 2016

Date of this report

21 June 2016

Most recent ERO reports

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