Nayland College

Education institution number:
293
School type:
Secondary (Year 9-15)
School gender:
Co-Educational
Definition:
Not Applicable
Total roll:
1454
Telephone:
Address:

166 Nayland Road, Stoke, Nelson

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Nayland College - 10/06/2020

School Context

Nayland College is a co-educational secondary school in Stoke, Nelson. The roll of 1358 students includes 246 who identify as Māori.

The vision for the school is for ‘inspiring people, inspiring learners, inspiring learning’. The school states that its priorities are to build school pride, culture and connections; to improve teaching pedagogy; and to deliver an exciting and engaging curriculum. It aims to achieve this through its values of Success, Opportunity, Ako and Respect (SOAR).

Leaders and teachers regularly report to the board, schoolwide information about outcomes for students in the following areas:

  • achievement and progress in reading, writing and mathematics and the wider New Zealand curriculum for students in Years 9 and 10
  • achievement within the New Zealand Qualification Framework
  • school leaver qualifications and destinations
  • outcomes for target learners in Years 9 to 13
  • outcomes in relation to other school targets
  • trends and patterns in attendance and student transitions
  • outcomes related to engagement and wellbeing.

Since the September 2016 ERO review the school’s roll has increased by 30%. Several new leadership and management roles have been created to support this roll increase and consequent rise in teacher numbers. Teachers have participated in Ministry of Education funded professional learning to strengthen pastoral care and relationship-based pedagogy.

The board of Nayland College oversees the governance of Nelson’s trades academy and alternative education provision.

Nayland College is a member of Te Kāhui Ako Omaio Ki Tahunanui |Community of Learning.

Evaluation Findings

1 Equity and excellence – achievement of valued outcomes for students

1.1 How well is the school achieving equitable and excellent outcomes for all its students?

The school is well placed to achieve increasingly equitable and excellent outcomes for all students.

Student achievement information since the 2016 review shows that most students in Years 11 and 12 attain the National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 1 and Level 2 respectively. Almost all students who remain at school until the end of Year 13 gain NCEA Level 2. A large majority gain Level 3. Over time higher proportions of girls have attained NCEA than boys. In 2019 this disparity reduced at each level.

For Māori students who remain at school until the end of Year 13, most gain NCEA Level 2. A greater retention of Māori students to Year 12 and 13 is evident. Leaders are aware of gaps in NCEA attainment between Maori and NZ European students and are addressing this.

Increased engagement in school is evident in improved rates of attendance and increased retention of students to Year 12.

The school’s understanding of its equitable and excellent outcomes for students in Years 9 and 10 is less clear. School-wide learning information that is available shows that most Year 9 and 10 students made sufficient or more than sufficient progress against expected curriculum levels in reading, writing and mathematics.

Wellbeing indicators show that almost all Year 9 students reported that they felt settled and had made friends following their induction programme at the school.

1.2 How well is the school accelerating learning for those Māori and other students who need this?

The school is highly effective in accelerating progress for those students who need this and who complete their schooling at Nayland College. As targeted learners progress through the school they are more likely to make accelerated progress and achieve success.

Learning information for 2019 shows that, in writing, 25% of Year 9 students and over 50% of Year 10 students made accelerated progress. In mathematics, accelerated progress was made by 30% of students in Year 9 and over 30% in Year 10.

Almost all target learners in Year 11 achieved Level 1 NCEA. Of the Year 13 students in a specialised work-ready programme, a large majority were in work or further training at the end of the year.

2 School conditions for equity and excellence – processes and practices

2.1 What school processes and practices are effective in enabling achievement of equity and excellence, and acceleration of learning?

Students are considered central to all school decision making. Each individual is well supported through holistic academic and pastoral pathways for success. Trustees and leaders make deliberate and strategic decisions to direct staffing and other resourcing where it will have the greatest impact for learners. The school’s vision and values are highly visible and enacted in all aspects of school life. Māori students experience a strengths-based approach that supports their language, culture and identity. They benefit from a strong focus on growing personal and collective empowerment, leadership and mana. Difference and diversity are valued and celebrated. Students experience an increasing sense of pride and belonging at school.

The curriculum is enabling, relevant and responsive to the aspirations and needs of each student. Innovative curriculum design is underpinned by culturally and locally responsive priorities and is well informed by evidence and research. Students experience varied and authentic opportunities to engage with people and places across the school, region and beyond. A wide range of information from multiple perspectives is gathered and used to inform decisions so that the needs of all learners are met. Students and teachers make good use of feedback and feedforward for improvement. Students are empowered as individuals and are active participants in their learning.

Learning is co-constructed though the practice of ako in the classroom. Teachers make good use of clear, consistent expectations of teaching practice to promote positive outcomes for all students. Strong collegial relationships and focused professional learning support all staff. Teachers have the autonomy to implement learning programmes using their own strengths and passions. The school’s caring, collaborative learning community is inclusive of all learners.

The school proactively identifies and draws on community resources to support student achievement, wellbeing and learning pathways. Positive, respectful relationships with parents, whānau, iwi, the community and local businesses have led to effective partnerships for reciprocal learning. Transitions for students into, through and beyond school are well supported by the community and other agencies. A range of effective communication strategies are used to connect with parents about their children’s progress and engagement. Strong educationally focused partnerships increase opportunities for student learning and success.

Leaders relentlessly develop and pursue the school’s vision, goals and targets for equity and excellence. They have worked to build relational trust at all levels of the school and community to support openness, risk taking and collaboration for improvement. A shared understanding of effective systems and processes has led to school-wide coherence in teaching and management practices. Clear and consistent social expectations support teaching and learning. Leaders identify and develop internal expertise and leadership to ensure that improvement goals are focused and met. The school community works together to achieve its strategic vision for learners.

2.2 What further developments are needed in school processes and practices for achievement of equity and excellence, and acceleration of learning?

To sustain improvement and innovation across the school, trustees and leaders now need to extend aspects of internal evaluation practice. Identifying clear desired outcomes for priority actions, and increasing the use of evaluative questions throughout reviews, would help leaders to more strategically evaluate impact and outcomes for students.

Trustees need to be better assured of achievement and progress by students in Years 9 and 10. Leaders should clarify, evaluate and report reliable achievement and progress information across the New Zealand Curriculum and against the school’s valued outcomes.

Trustees, leaders and teachers need to build on the gains made in the conditions for Māori student engagement in school to improve educational outcomes for all Māori learners.

3 Other Matters

Provision for international students

The school is a signatory to the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016 established under section 238F of the Education Act 1989. 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 79 international students attending the school.

The school is mostly effective in its process for annual self review. A range of stakeholder perspectives informs the programme. This leads to addressing students’ academic and pastoral needs. Self review would be more effective with the development of improved goals, targets and evaluative outcomes.

Students report that they feel well supported to experience success and their wellbeing is promoted. They have the opportunity to fully participate in the wider school and community. The school would benefit from creating further opportunities for international students to meaningfully share their culture with others.

4 Board Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the board and principal of the school completed the ERO board assurance statement and self-audit checklists. In these documents they attested that they had taken all reasonable steps to meet their legislative obligations related to the following:

  • board administration
  • curriculum
  • management of health, safety and welfare
  • personnel management
  • finance
  • asset management.

During the review, ERO checked the following items because they have a potentially high impact on student safety and wellbeing:

  • emotional safety of students (including prevention of bullying and sexual harassment)
  • physical safety of students
  • teacher registration and certification
  • processes for appointing staff
  • stand down, suspension, expulsion and exclusion of students
  • attendance
  • school policies in relation to meeting the requirements of the Children’s Act 2014.

5 ERO’s Overall Judgement

On the basis of the findings of this review, ERO’s overall evaluation judgement of Nayland College’s performance in achieving valued outcomes for its students is: Well placed.

ERO’s Framework: Overall Findings and Judgement Tool derived from School Evaluation Indicators: Effective Practice for Improvement and Learner Success is available on ERO’s website.

6 Going forward

Key strengths of the school

  • its culture of student-centred decision making, so that students are valued and can succeed as individuals
  • an innovative curriculum that authentically engages students in their learning and is responsive to their place and culture
  • educationally powerful relationships between teachers, students, whānau and community that generate partnerships to improve equity and excellence for all learners
  • leadership that sets clear and coherent conditions for the school’s community to enact the school’s values and achieve its vision for learners.

Next steps

For sustained improvement and future learner success, priorities for further development are in:

  • extending aspects of internal evaluation to more reliably know about what is making the most difference in learning, engagement and wellbeing for all groups of students, and to ensure ongoing improvement in Year 9 and 10 data analysis and reporting
  • continuing to improve achievement outcomes for all Māori students.

Dr Lesley Patterson

Director Review and Improvement Services (Southern)

Southern Region - Te Tai Tini

10 June 2020

About the school

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

Nayland College - 19/09/2016

Findings

Nayland College is moving ahead positively. Student wellbeing and learning are at the centre of improvement initiatives and approaches. The new principal brings high levels of strategic understanding and expertise to his role. Positive relationships are evident between the board and school leadership and are promoted across the school. Very useful external expertise has helped to strengthen a number of school practices.

ERO is likely to carry out the next review in three years.

1 Background and Context

What is the background and context for this school’s review?

The 2014 ERO report for Nayland College identified a number of areas that needed significant improvement. These included governance and leadership, student engagement and achievement, and internal evaluation. Appraisal and support for students at risk of poor achievement were also identified as priorities for review and improvement.

At the time of the on-site stage of the current review, school leaders were reviewing pastoral care, learning support and aspects of the curriculum.

A new principal was appointed at the beginning of 2015. The new board chairperson and some new trustees were appointed in 2016.

2 Review and Development

How effectively is the school addressing its priorities for review and development?

Priorities identified for review and development
  • Governance
  • Leadership
  • Student engagement and achievement
  • Self review/internal evaluation

Significant progress has been made in addressing all priorities identified for review and development in the 2014 ERO report.

Governance
Progress

The principal has worked closely with the board and senior leaders to develop a new charter, vision and values. This process included:

  • critical thinking about the nature, purpose and direction of the school
  • wide consultation to include, consider and respond to staff, student and community perspectives
  • close scrutiny of school achievement data and other information
  • a strong focus on improving equity and excellence for all students.

Communication has improved across the school. Clearer lines of communication between the board, principal and senior leadership team have been established. The board is now receiving a wider range of information about school operations. Greater transparency is evident in decision-making processes. Trustees should ensure that staff are kept well informed about the board’s focus and activities.

The board, principal and senior leaders are taking well-planned actions that are helping to build educationally powerful connections and relationships. Some examples of these actions include:

  • involvement in the local community of learning that is focused on positive outcomes for all learners
  • increased collaboration with contributing schools about student learning, wellbeing and achievement
  • expanded professional collaboration with local businesses and industries
  • building meaningful relationships and partnerships with local marae and iwi to strengthen Māori culture, language and identity.
Leadership
Progress

Leadership is being significantly strengthened across the school. Factors contributing to this include improved leadership structures, clear leadership expectations and responsibilities and distributing leadership more widely. Senior leaders are making more strategic use of staff strengths. Some key actions taken so far relate to:

  • increasing the alignment of school goals and targets with pastoral, curriculum and classroom practices
  • clarifying expectations and guidelines for staff and students
  • developing a stronger focus on curriculum connectedness and integration
  • introducing a range of new initiatives that effectively target priorities and professional learning for improved practices across the school
  • ensuring that change is being managed well.

Although at an early stage of development, a range of positive indicators of improvement is apparent. These include:

  • significant improvement in 2015 to the achievement of Māori students at National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 1 and 2 and all students at Level 1
  • positive ownership by staff of the direction being taken by the school
  • building evaluative capability and a culture of reflection and inquiry across the school
  • an intentional focus on strategies that are known to promote high quality teaching and learning
  • some early indications of roll growth.
Student engagement and achievement
Progress

School leaders and teachers are developing a collaborative approach and shared responsibility for student learning, achievement and behaviour. A number of well-targeted and evidence-based initiatives are building the conditions necessary for promoting equity and excellence for all students. The strong focus on making learning visible, academic mentoring and the school’s new SOAR values of success, opportunity, ako (working together) and respect are helping to strengthen and promote increased student engagement and achievement.

Positive improvements to data analysis and use by teachers, especially regarding regular monitoring and tracking of target students, are evident. Deliberate actions that have been taken to improve this practice include the:

  • restructuring of systems to better monitor student achievement, especially students at risk of poor outcomes
  • deeper and more regular scrutiny and sharing of student achievement, attendance and retention data
  • improving use of the school’s electronic student management system
  • more regular reporting to parents which is contributing to their increased involvement.

The board, principal and senior leaders should continue to maintain a strong focus on improving achievement and outcomes for all students.

Self review/internal evaluation
Progress

The wellbeing and learning progress of all students are now clearly at the centre of internal evaluation at the school. With the use of high quality external expertise, considerable progress is being made on building evaluative capability so that students benefit. This is especially evident in the way:

  • success for, and as, Māori is being promoted and enabled in authentic ways
  • strategies for raising student achievement are becoming increasingly focused on the use of evidence and research-based approaches.

A range of well-considered structures and practices have been put in place to lead, implement and evaluate targeted changes. As a result, a sharper understanding and use of evaluative practices that are most likely to promote the best outcomes for all students is becoming increasingly evident. The principal and senior leaders should continue to strengthen the school’s framework and shared approach about the most effective ways of carrying out various types of internal evaluation.

The board and principal have developed a comprehensive programme and clear lines of accountability for internal evaluation. Evidence provided to ERO showed a depth of strategic understanding about effective internal evaluation processes that promote positive outcomes for learners. These include close scrutiny of current practice, the use of data and gathering a wide range of perspectives within and beyond the school.

The school is at an early stage of improving curriculum reviews. Leaders should ensure that these reviews become increasingly evaluative and promote improvements that meet diverse and changing learning needs and aspirations.

Significant improvements are apparent in the school’s appraisal process for 2016. Although at an early stage, the following aspects are evident:

  • appraisal responsibilities, guidelines and expectations are clear
  • appraisal is now strongly evidence and improvement based and this is helping to build a culture of reflection
  • teaching as inquiry is being meaningfully developed and is well linked to school priorities.

In order to sustain and continue to improve practice, ERO recommends that leaders include the new appraisal system in its schedule of internal evaluation.

3 Sustainable performance and self review

How well placed is the school to sustain and continue to improve and review its performance?

The school is very well placed to sustain and continue to improve its performance.

ERO’s evaluation of progress has confirmed that the school is moving ahead positively and is in a stronger position in all areas to sustain and improve its performance. Students’ learning and wellbeing needs are at the centre of well identified strategic priorities and actions for improvement.

Under the leadership of the new principal, a number of school systems and practices have been strategically restructured to more effectively address all areas identified for improvement in the 2014 ERO review. High quality external support has had a noticeable impact on building a learner-centred culture of reflection and improvement.

Key next steps

ERO recommends that the board, principal and leaders:

  • include the effectiveness of school stewardship and leadership in its programme of internal evaluation
  • ensure that the board has reliable ways of being assured about staff and student wellbeing, especially during a time of change and redevelopment
  • review the school’s senior leadership structure to ensure that responsibilities are manageable and improvements are sustainable and ongoing
  • continue to strengthen capability in evaluation and data analysis and use across the school.

Board assurance on legal requirements

Before the review, the board of trustees and principal of the school completed the ERO Board Assurance Statement and Self-Audit Checklists. In these documents they attested that they had taken all reasonable steps to meet their legislative obligations related to:

  • board administration
  • curriculum
  • management of health, safety and welfare
  • personnel management
  • financial management
  • asset management.

During the review, ERO checked the following items because they have a potentially high impact on student achievement:

  • emotional safety of students (including prevention of bullying and sexual harassment)
  • physical safety of students
  • teacher registration
  • processes for appointing staff
  • stand-downs, suspensions, expulsions and exclusions
  • attendance.

Conclusion

Nayland College is moving ahead positively. Student wellbeing and learning are at the centre of improvement initiatives and approaches. The new principal brings high levels of strategic understanding and expertise to his role. Positive relationships are evident between the board and school leadership and are promoted across the school. Very useful external expertise has helped to strengthen a number of school practices.

ERO is likely to carry out the next review in three years. 

Lesley Patterson

Deputy Chief Review Officer Southern

19 September 2016

About the School

Location

Nelson

Ministry of Education profile number

293

School type

Secondary (Years 9 to 13)

School roll

966

Number of international students

53

Gender composition

Boys 49%; Girls 51%

Ethnic composition

Pākehā

Māori

Pacific

Asian

Other Ethnicities

76%

15%

2%

5%

2%

Review team on site

July 2016

Date of this report

19 September 2016

Most recent ERO reports

Education Review

Education Review

Education Review

September 2014

July 2011

June 2008