St George's School

Findings

On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that St George's Preparatory 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.

St George’s School is an independent Year 4 to 8 Anglican preparatory school founded on Christian values. It previously catered for Year 1 to 8 students but has, since the May 2008 ERO review, disestablished Year 1 to 3. The Wanganui Collegiate Board governs St George’s School. Parents are committed to the continuation of the school.

In 2011, Years 7 and 8 students relocated to the Wanganui Collegiate School site and were successfully integrated into the middle school programme. Early in 2012, Year 4 to 6 students transferred to this site and became a separate Year 4 to 8 school.

2 Criteria for Registration

Suitable premises and equipment

Year 4 to 7 base classes are situated in what was a study area on the Wanganui Collegiate School campus. Some classrooms have limited teaching space. The board has future plans to address this situation. Year 8 students are based separately within the Wanganui Collegiate School campus in order to support a more effective transition to Year 9.

Students have timetabled access to a wide range of specialist teaching spaces and areas within the wider, senior campus. These include science and technology laboratories, library, music suite, sports fields and the swimming pool. Students appreciate opportunities to access these high quality provisions. The junior playground equipment has been relocated to the new site. The school continues to maintain substantial capacity in information and communication technologies (ICT). Year 7 and 8 students have hand-held computers to support their learning at both home and school. The St George's library and resources have been incorporated into the Wanganui Collegiate School library and all students have full access.

Many policies, including fire and evacuation procedures for the new site, have been recently reviewed.

In February 2012, the parent committee was formed to provide dedicated governance for St George's School. This committee comprises of three parents and the Vicar of the local Anglican Parish. Student achievement information is beginning to be shared with this committee. The chairperson of the St George’s School Board reports to, and is a member of, the Wanganui Collegiate School Board.

Suitable staffing

Since the previous ERO review there have been significant changes in staffing and school management. The current teaching staff ratio is one teacher for ten students. Class sizes do not exceed 22 students. All teachers are qualified and registered. An effective induction and mentoring programme supports the provisionally registered teacher.

Teachers strongly support the school’s recently reviewed mission statement based on Anglican values and skills to prepare students for 21st century learning. This document has been aligned to The New Zealand Curriculum expectations.

The school is in the early stages of implementing a schoolwide teacher appraisal system that includes the New Zealand Teachers Council's, Registered Teacher Criteria. A teaching as inquiry process has recently been introduced to support teachers to reflect on and improve their practice to further meet the needs of all students.

Professional development has been fragmented since the last review, due to staffing changes. During 2012, teachers' professional learning focused on developing understandings in relation to the successful implementation of ICT. A more planned approach, responsive to teachers’ needs and the school’s strategic direction, should support further improvements in teaching and learning.

Suitable curriculum

The school previously used the International Baccalaureate as a basis for teaching, learning and assessment in Year 1 to 6. During 2011, The New Zealand Curriculum and National Standards were introduced. These are in the early stages of implementation and require further improvement. Development of a St George’s Curriculum, based on agreed understandings, has been identified by the school as a next step. Literacy and mathematics statements have been recently reviewed. Other curriculum areas require attention to align them to current practice.

Teachers provide students with an extensive range of clubs, sports, cultural and arts activities. All students learn te reo Māori and senior students have Spanish language lessons. Kapa haka is an integral part of the school curriculum. Students’ high levels of participation and enjoyment in these activities are regarded as key elements of the curriculum. Learning and sporting successes are regularly shared and celebrated.

All students have a base class with a consistent home-room teacher. Students also participate in lessons using teacher strengths across the school and wider campus. Teachers readily give their own time to support student learning.

The recently reviewed school prospectus and website reflect current changes, aspirations and provide useful information for prospective families.

Parents are well informed in relation to their child’s learning through termly written reports, regular student/teacher/parent conferences and through email contact. Reports contain grades in relation to nationally-normed assessment and provide useful information about each student's skill development and learning behaviours. Individual student cumulative records are in the early stages of implementation.

Suitable standard of tuition

Small class sizes assist teachers to know their students well. They encourage them to be confident and independent learners. High expectations for student behaviour are well understood. Relationships between teachers and students are positive and supportive.

Standardised test data shows that many students are achieving highly compared with their peers nationally. Effective learning support is provided for identified students in literacy and mathematics. A learning support coordinator has been recently appointed to work with these students and to assist teachers to better meet their needs.

The standard of tuition is sufficient with some examples of high quality practice observed across the school. Effective questioning to extend thinking, elicits confident and thoughtful responses from learners. Differentiated teaching practice and grouping was evident.

Some teachers plan programmes collaboratively. However, planning expectations are not clear and guidelines are required to provide teachers with direction and expectations for consistency of evidencebased planning, teaching and learning. Rationalisation of assessment tools and practices should contribute to teachers’ enhanced use of analysed data to inform decisions about teaching. While the lesson purpose is generally shared with students, giving specific written feedback and assisting them to understand their next learning step is not consistent.

All staff are committed to the success and welfare of students. Most students are well engaged in learning. Pastoral care is a priority based on Anglican beliefs and traditions. Student leadership is fostered and many opportunities provided for senior students to support their younger peers. Policies related to students’ physical and emotional safety are robust.

3 Other Statutory Obligations

The school’s manager and Collegiate School board members have attested that they comply with the provisions of section 35G as being fit and proper persons to manage the school.

4 Conclusion

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

Joyce Gebbie

National Manager Review Services Central Region (Acting)

19 November 2012

About the School