Wentworth College

Education institution number:
484
School type:
Secondary (Year 7-15)
School gender:
Co-Educational
Definition:
Not Applicable
Total roll:
397
Telephone:
Address:

65 Gulf Harbour Drive, Gulf Harbour, Whangaparaoa

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Wentworth College

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 -

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

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 as described in clause 6, Schedule 7 of the Education and Training Act 2020 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.

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

On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that Wentworth College 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.

Other Matters

Provision for international students

The school is a signatory to the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016 (the Code) established under section 534 of the Education and Training Act 2020. 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 21 international students attending the school.

International students are well integrated socially into the school and wider local community. Students experience success in their chosen learning pathways and co-curricular activities. The international student director and co-ordinator communicate with teachers, students, and families in meaningful ways and provide wraparound support. The majority of international students are living in homestays or with a parent.

Phil Cowie
Acting Director Review and Improvement Services (Northern)
Northern Region - Te Tai Raki

1 November 2021

About the School

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

Wentworth College - 21/10/2016

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.

This review report was prepared in accordance with standard procedures approved by the Chief Review Officer.

The school is a fully registered private school. It caters for students from Year 7 to 15. It has a roll of 172 students, plus 32 international students.

2 Criteria for Registration

Wentworth College at Gulf Harbour on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula is a private, co-educational school for Year 7 to 15 students. The school continues to provide students with suitable premises, staffing, equipment and curriculum. Standards of tuition remain high. A sound framework of policies and procedures guides the school’s operations.

The school was founded in 2003 and is governed by the Wentworth College Trust Board. It has close links with the adjacent Wentworth Primary School, which operates under the same principal and management board. The school has three guiding principles that underpin all aspects of teaching and learning. They are the provision of high quality education for all, participation in co-curricular activities, and the importance of shared values and high standards.

The curriculum is broad and inclusive, reflecting the intentions of the school’s founders. In Years 7 to 10 the curriculum is based on The New Zealand Curriculum aligned to the Cambridge International Examination (CIE) syllabus. From Year 11 to 13 the primary focus is on the CIE. Programmes aligned to the National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEA) are also available to students. Students make good progress across the school and achieve well at all levels. Senior students’ achievement in the CIE is high, and over 90 percent of Wentworth students leave school with University Entrance.

Since the 2012 ERO review, the curriculum has become increasingly future-focused with the introduction of programmes in critical thinking, marine studies, psychology and computer science. Students are able to personalise their course of study to meet their aspirations regarding future study and career choices. The school’s curriculum is well documented and shared with parents. Regular communication and reporting ensures that parents are well informed about learning programmes.

Teaching methods reflect the school’s guiding principles and support the academic focus of the school. Teachers encourage positive interactions with students and between students. Students participate with confidence in an extensive range of co-curricular activities and those that extend beyond the classroom.

The social and emotional wellbeing of students is very well supported by a pastoral care system that reflects the school’s commitment to the value of respect for self and for others. By working together as a community, students develop a sense of empathy, personal responsibility and resilience that continues to benefit them throughout their time at school.

Staffing levels are generous, with small classes ensuring that students receive individual teaching. Teachers are suitably qualified and bring a wide range of curriculum strengths and interests to their teaching. The breadth of the curriculum is supported by specialist teaching and additional learning support. A robust performance appraisal system supports teachers to reflect on and continue to improve their teaching practice.

The buildings and grounds continue to be well presented and maintained. Teaching facilities are spacious and well resourced. Good use is made of facilities and resources in the local community to support both academic and co-curricular programmes.

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 Matters

Provision for international students

The Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016 (the Code) was introduced on July 1st 2016. The school is aware of the need to update its policies and procedures to meet the new code requirements by 1 December 2016.

At the time of this review there were 32 international students attending the school, including 0 exchange students.

The school is making good progress in aligning its policies and procedures to meet requirements for the 2016 Code.

5 Conclusion

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

Graham Randell

Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern

21 October 2016

About the School

Location

Gulf Harbour, Whangaparaoa

Ministry of Education profile number

484

School type

Secondary (Years 7 to 15)

School roll

204

Number of international students

32

Gender composition

Girls 53% Boys 47%

Ethnic composition

NZ European/Pākehā

Māori

British/Irish

Asian

South African

other European

other

66%

7%

8%

3%

3%

11%

2%

Review team on site

August 2016

Date of this report

21 October 2016

Most recent ERO report(s)

Private School Review

Private School Review

Private School Review

September 2012

October 2009

December 2006