Dilworth School

Education institution number:
66
School type:
Composite
School gender:
Single Sex (Boys School)
Definition:
School with Boarding Facilities
Total roll:
490
Telephone:
Address:

2 Erin Street, Remuera, Auckland

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Dilworth School

Findings

On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that Dilworth 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

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 manager has 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 a fit and proper person 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 Dilworth 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.

Other Matters

Provision for students in the school hostel

The school hostels; Junior School Hostel, Rural Campus Hostel and Senior School Hostel, together accommodate 570 students, 100% of the school roll. They are owned by The Dilworth Trust Board. The hostel owner has attested that all the requirements of the Hostel Regulations are met.

  • The recently appointed hostel manager has responsibility for coordinating and aligning hostel administration across all three hostel premises.

  • Student wellbeing surveys have enhanced pastoral care services and are contributing to the provision of a safe physical and emotional environment for boys at the hostel.

  • Policies, values and expectations for student wellbeing in the hostels are consistent with those of the school.

  • Students are encouraged to maintain close connections with their family and whānau, and systems are in place to promote regular communication with homes.

Steve Tanner
Director Review and Improvement Services (Northern)
Northern Region – Te Tai Raki

29 April 2021

About the School

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

Dilworth School - 04/05/2015

Findings

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

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

2 Criteria for Registration

Dilworth School is a fully registered, private school for boys from Years 5 to 13. The Dilworth Trust Board ensures that the vision of the school’s founders, James and Isabella Dilworth, is enacted. It provides an environment that successfully supports, educates, and trains as many boys as possible, from families in straitened circumstances, to reach and maintain their full potential and become good and useful members of society. As part of the Dilworth School experience, students are provided with a Christian education, grounded in the traditions of the Anglican Church.

Dilworth School continues to provide very good quality education for an increasingly diverse school community. Students experience success in their academic, sporting, and cultural endeavours. They appreciate individual teacher guidance and very good access to equipment. Students with additional learning needs receive high quality support.

Since the 2010 ERO report a new rural campus for Year 9 students, Te Haerenga, has been established at Mangatawhiri. As a result of this innovation the school has been able to provide worthwhile education for 100 more students. The new campus successfully provides outdoor and other educational experiences that help Year 9 students to collaborate and show independence. Staff focus on developing boys' personal and social skills. Boys' increased capacity for self regulation helps them to transition successfully between the junior and senior campuses. School leaders have actively promoted this initiative as part of their shared commitment to transforming boys' lives.

The school’s holistic curriculum supports students’ wellbeing. Students benefit from a suitable values-based curriculum that prioritises respect and positive relationships. The calm and settled environment on each campus supports student learning. Students are inclusive and show maturity in their interactions with their teachers and other students. All students are boarders and this enables the school to provide a model of wrap-round care for each individual. Students' boarding experience provides opportunities to contribute to the life of the school and to each others’ success.

The school provides suitable staffing and standards of tuition. Teachers are suitably qualified and continue to use a range of teaching styles and good quality resources to engage students. Teachers benefit from professional development that enhances the quality of tuition and provides opportunities for staff to undertake leadership roles. The school’s robust appraisal process promotes and supports reflective teacher practice and aligns with professional development and school-wide review.

School leaders and teachers have high expectations for student progress and achievement. Very good evaluation of student achievement informs regular reviews of programme effectiveness. The student-centred programme promoted at Te Haerenga is having a positive impact on the curriculum school-wide and on student achievement. Student achievement continues to be impressive and almost every boy leaves school with at least Level 2 NCEA. Maōri and Pacific students are achieving particularly well in comparison to all students nationally at all levels of NCEA, and in University Entrance. One hundred percent of students stayed at school engaged in learning past their 17th birthday.

Premises and equipment are of a high standard and are suitable to support curriculum delivery. The three campuses are attractive and well maintained. Property developments reflect the Trust Board’s commitment to enhancing outcomes for all students.

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 obligations are met.

4 Other Matters

Provision for students in the school hostel

Each of the three campuses has hostel accommodation. The hostels are owned by The Dilworth Trust Board. The junior campus accommodates Years 5 to 8 students in four hostels. The rural campus accommodates Year 9 students in ten cabins, with each cabin catering for nine or ten students. The senior campus accommodates Years 10 to 13 students in five hostels. Collectively, the hostels accommodate 625 students: 100 percent of the school roll. The hostel owner has attested that all the requirements of the Hostel Regulations are met.

The school has a commitment to continuous improvement. Since the 2010 ERO review, organisational changes have resulted in streamlined management systems for pastoral care, including those for the school’s hostel services.

The Trust Board provides very good quality provision of hostel care for all students. ERO notes the following good features of the school’s hostel services.

Positive relationships within the hostels, and between the hostels and the school, promote a safe emotional environment that supports learning for students.

Interactions between hostel staff and students are positive and supportive.

Contact between students and their families is managed positively, with timely and responsive communications between hostel staff and students’ families.

Suitable ratios of staff to boarders are maintained before and after school, and at night and in the weekends.

Students have ready access to support, counselling and health advice.

The hostel environment provides a safe physical environment that provides students with support for their study, including access to library, music, art, and sports resources and activities.

Students are accommodated in attractive, comfortable surroundings for living, studying and sleeping.

5 Conclusion

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

Dale Bailey

Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern

4 May 2015

School Statistics

Location

Remuera, Auckland

Ministry of Education profile number

66

School type

Composite (Years 1 to 13)

School roll

625

Gender composition

Boys 100%

Ethnic composition

Māori

NZ European/Pākehā

Tongan

Samoan

Chinese

Cook Island Māori

South East Asian

African

Indian

Niuen 

Other

26%

25%

21%

10%

3%

3%

3%

2%

2%

2%

3%

Special Features

Rural Campus - Te Haerenga (Mangatawhiri) for Year 9 students

Review team on site

February 2015

Date of this report

4 May 2015

Most recent ERO report(s)

Private School Review

Private School Review

Private School Review

January 2010

January 2007

February 2004