Endeavour School

Education institution number:
6941
School type:
Contributing
School gender:
Co-Educational
Definition:
Not Applicable
Total roll:
435
Telephone:
Address:

Endeavour Avenue, Flagstaff-Hamilton, Hamilton

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Endeavour School

Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report

Background

This Profile Report was written within three months of the Education Review Office and Endeavour School working in Te Ara Huarau, an improvement evaluation approach used in most English Medium State and State Integrated Schools. For more information about Te Ara Huarau see ERO’s website. www.ero.govt.nz

Context 

Endeavour School is located in the suburb of Flagstaff, north Hamilton and provides education for students in Years 1 to 6. A new principal and deputy principal were appointed for 2022. The school provides innovative learning in purpose-built environments.

Endeavour School’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are:

  • to ensure that all students are progressing and achieving their potential in relation to the New Zealand Curriculum, with a focus on reducing the number of students considered to be not achieving

  • to develop the capacity and capability of the team, with an ongoing lens to review and implement key strategic curriculum initiatives.

You can find a copy of the school’s strategic and annual plan on Endeavour School’s website.

ERO and the school are working together to evaluate how effectively school programmes and practices are enabling equitable outcomes for all learners. Strengthening students’ social and emotional competence and supporting students to excel and achieve excellence are ongoing priorities for the school.

The rationale for selecting this evaluation is:

  • the opportunity it provides to further respond effectively to school data to improve equitable outcomes for identified groups of students and minimise barriers to learning

  • the school’s commitment to supporting the diverse needs of all learners and ensuring students are progressing and achieving to their potential.

The school expects to see strategies further refined and implemented, to enhance the responsiveness of the school’s curriculum for continuous learner improvement and success.

Strengths

The school can draw from the following strengths to support its goal of equitable and excellent outcomes for all learners:

  • an inclusive school culture and positive relationships that support high levels of student engagement and achievement

  • teaching and learning programmes and practices that identify and respond to the individual needs of learners, and provide equitable opportunities to learn and succeed

  • collaborative leadership that prioritises actions for improvement, strengthens collective capability through professional learning and promotes ongoing evaluation of the school’s curriculum.

Where to next?

Moving forward, the school will prioritise continuing to:

  • strengthen responsive strategies to nurture social and emotional competence and support priority learners to make accelerated progress

  • provide rich, authentic and challenging learning opportunities that enable students to excel

  • strengthen and use evaluation and inquiry to sustain improvement in outcomes for all learners.

ERO’s role will be to support the school in its evaluation for improvement cycle to improve outcomes for all learners. ERO will support the school in reporting their progress to the community. The next public report on ERO’s website will be a Te Ara Huarau | School Evaluation Report and is due within three years.

Shelley Booysen
Director of Schools

3 November 2023 

About the School

The Education Counts website provides further information about the school’s student population, student engagement and student achievement.  educationcounts.govt.nz/home

Endeavour School

Board Assurance with Regulatory and Legislative Requirements Report 2023 to 2026

As of September 2023, the Endeavour School Board has attested to the following regulatory and legislative requirements:

Board Administration

Yes

Curriculum

Yes

Management of Health, Safety and Welfare

Yes

Personnel Management

Yes

Finance

Yes

Assets

Yes

Further Information

For further information please contact Endeavour School, School Board.

The next School Board assurance that it is meeting regulatory and legislative requirements will be reported, along with the Te Ara Huarau | School Evaluation Report, within three years.

Information on ERO’s role and process in this review can be found on the Education Review Office website.

Shelley Booysen
Director of Schools

3 November 2023 

About the School

The Education Counts website provides further information about the school’s student population, student engagement and student achievement. educationcounts.govt.nz/home

Endeavour School

Provision for International Students Report

Background                                                  

The Education Review Office reviews schools that are signatories to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 established under section 534 of the Education and Training Act 2020.

Findings

The school is a signatory to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 established under section 534 of the Education and Training Act 2020. The school has attested that it complies with all aspects of the Code.

No international students were enrolled at the time of the ERO review.

Shelley Booysen
Director of Schools

3 November 2023 

About the School

The Education Counts website provides further information about the school’s student population, student engagement and student achievement. educationcounts.govt.nz/home

Endeavour School - 07/02/2018

School Context

Endeavour School is located in the Hamilton suburb of Flagstaff and caters for students in Years 1 to 6. The school opened in 2015 with a roll of 115. Since then the roll has grown rapidly to 496 and is on track to reach 600 by the end of 2018. Currently there are 72 Māori, 84 Asian and smaller numbers of students from diverse ethnic backgrounds enrolled. The school also has a significant number of students for whom English is not their first language. This is the first full education review for the school following the completion of the New School Assurance Review process in March 2016.

School growth has necessitated major building developments with six learning areas now operating in age-based ‘Learning Communities’. Each community features flexible learning spaces, digital technologies and areas that support collaborative teaching practice. The school environment and buildings are set up to promote innovative teaching and learning.

The Endeavour Learner is described by the school as a ‘thinker, explorer and citizen who is able to interact effectively with thought and care for themselves, each other, their environment and the wider community both local and global’. The school’s overarching vision is ‘learning without limits’.

The Endeavour inquiry learning process is described by the school as a step-by-step journey that learners follow to explore, research and investigate different parts of The New Zealand Curriculum, enabling them to have increased levels of ownership and decision making in their learning.

Since the previous ERO review a significant number of new teachers has been employed and a new deputy principal began in May 2016. The principal continues in his role and there have been some minor changes to board membership.

The school is part of the Te Pae Here Kāhui Ako Te Raki Rāwhiti o Kirikiriroa Community of Learning|Kāhui Ako.

Leaders and teachers regularly report to the board, school-wide information about outcomes for students in reading, writing and mathematics.

Evaluation Findings

1 Equity and excellence – valued outcomes for students

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

The school is making very good progress towards achieving equitable and excellent outcomes for all students. Achievement data for 2016 shows that in reading and mathematics most students achieved at or above expected levels. Significantly lower results were evident in writing.

Māori students proportionally achieved at similar levels to their non-Māori peers in reading and writing and at slightly lower levels in mathematics. Almost all Asian students achieved at or above expected levels in mathematics. However, achievement for this group in reading and writing was lower.

Girls achieved at similar levels to boys in reading and mathematics, and proportionally at better levels in writing.

1.2 How effectively does this school respond to those Māori and other students whose learning and achievement need acceleration?

The school responds effectively to Māori and other students whose learning and achievement need acceleration.

School data for 2017, shows that of the students enrolled at the beginning of the year whose learning was at risk, approximately 50% made accelerated progress in reading, writing and mathematics. Outcomes for Māori and non-Māori students are now comparable in mathematics, and disparity between boys and girls has decreased in writing. 

2 School conditions for equity and excellence

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

Leadership of learning is highly effective. Coherent and responsive practices and processes build teacher capability to focus on accelerating progress for all students. There are high expectations for teacher performance. These expectations, and ongoing support, contribute to teacher accountability and commitment. Leaders work closely with teachers to ensure close monitoring and tracking of student progress, and targeted strategies to accelerate learning. There are well-established systems for mentoring and coaching to build teacher capability.

Internal evaluation for ongoing improvement is well understood and effectively implemented. Leaders plan and oversee a programme of internal review focused on school priorities that are closely aligned with accelerating student progress. Teachers continuously reflect on and review their practice in relation to their effectiveness in accelerating progress for at-risk students. Ongoing internal evaluation enables leaders make evidence-based decisions about teacher professional learning appraisal goals.

Student achievement information is used well at all levels of the school. Leaders are able to maintain a coherent focus on accelerating progress for at-risk students, and on informing strategic direction. Trustees closely scrutinise achievement data to make responsive, well-informed decisions that are focused on improved outcomes for students.

Leaders manage data effectively. A range of appropriate tools and strategies are used to gather, store and retrieve achievement data and moderate student achievement and progress. Teachers use data well to set specific, measureable targets and plan deliberate actions to accelerate progress for all students, especially those whose learning is at risk.

A highly collaborative environment for learning has been developed. A collective sense of responsibility among trustees, leaders and teachers actively promotes student engagement and success. There is a shared language and understanding of learning among teachers and students, and high levels of relational trust across the teaching and leadership teams. Teachers work closely with parents and families to provide well-coordinated support for students with high needs. Calm and unhurried learning environments are evident across the school.

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

Consolidation of student voice in internal evaluation linked to school strategic goals is needed to provide greater student ownership of school direction and priorities.

Building on relationships with iwi and whānau to develop the way te reo, local tikanga and history are included in the school curriculum is also a priority for school development.

3 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 Vulnerable Children Act 2014.

4 Going forward

Key strengths of the school

For sustained improvement and future learner success, the school can draw on existing strengths in:

  • internal evaluation that is contributing to a strategic and well considered approach to ongoing improvement
  • the management and use of assessment information that is focused on targeted actions for improvement
  • an environment of collaboration that successfully promotes a culture of high expectations, accountability and improvement.

Next steps

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

  • consolidation of student voice to strengthen internal evaluation
  • strengthen and embed local tikanga, history and whānau voice throughout the school to further develop a culturally responsive curriculum. 

ERO’s next external evaluation process and timing

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

Lynda Pura-Watson
Deputy Chief Review Officer

Te Tai Miringa - Waikato / Bay of Plenty Region

7 February 2018

About the school 

Location

Hamilton

Ministry of Education profile number

6941

School type

Primary (Years 1 to 6)

School roll

496

Gender composition

Girls       51%
Boys      49%

Ethnic composition

Māori                                  15%
Pākehā                                50%
Chinese                                 9%
Indian                                    5%
South East Asian                 4%
Other Asian                          3%
Other European                  3%
Pacific                                  3%
Other ethnicities                 8%

Provision of Māori medium education

No

Review team on site

November 2017

Date of this report

7 February 2018

Most recent ERO report(s)

Assurance Review            March 2016

Endeavour School - 31/03/2016

1 Introduction

A New School Assurance Review is a review of particular areas of school performance and is undertaken to specific terms of reference.

New School Assurance Reviews are generally undertaken within the first year of the school’s opening.

Terms of Reference

This review is based on an evaluation of the performance of Endeavour School.

The terms of reference for the review are to provide assurance to the community:

  • that the school is well placed to provide for students
  • that the school is operating in accordance with the vision articulated by the board of trustees.

2 Context

Endeavour School Hamilton, opened in February 2015. It caters for children from Years 1 to 6. The school will ultimately provide for up to 600 children from the growing Flagstaff area. The school buildings are designed to promote innovative teaching and learning. Groups of similar age children learn together in four flexible spaces known as communities.

Good systems are in place to welcome the ongoing new enrolments, particularly in the junior classes. This is important in establishing effective partnerships between new students and their families, and the school.  

The setup phase of this new school, including developing governance and management frameworks, has been capably led and managed by the establishment board, governance facilitator, principal and deputy principals.

3 Findings

The establishment board is committed to providing an innovative model of curriculum delivery in the first purpose-built modern learning environment in Waikato. They developed the school’s aspirational vision ‘Learning without Limits’ and have worked very effectively to put that vison into place.

The school’s curriculum has been developed as a result of robust debate among the trustees and between them and school leaders, and is based on current educational theory. Teachers prioritise exploration, thinking and citizenship as key components of the curriculum provided for students. They continue to refine and improve systems that help them to implement the school’s vision for learning. 

Children learn in calm, purposeful and well organised spaces. They speak confidently and positively about the learning culture of their new school. Children understand the expectations teachers have of their learning and behaviour. High levels of student engagement are evident. Children are self-managing and benefit from collaborative approaches to their learning. 

The modern learning environment is well used to enable children to make choices, share learning, and work independently and collaboratively. Open and shared teaching spaces allow flexibility for teachers and students in learning interactions. Children make good use of digital technologies to support and extend their learning. 

Senior leaders work well together to provide professional leadership for the school. They are closely involved in teaching programmes and school activities. This helps them to be well connected to what is happening for students and teachers, and to meet the ongoing challenges inevitable in the growth of a school. 

Continuing to build shared understandings of the curriculum and how best to implement it is the biggest challenge for staff. Senior leaders ensure very good foundations are established before introducing new expectations. This helps to embed good practices for children and teachers. 

The board now consists of elected parent trustees. While most are new to school governance, trustees bring a depth of experience and expertise to their roles. They are building on the strong foundation set in place by the establishment board, and have benefitted from a well-designed handover process.

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:

  • school management and reporting
  • 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 students' 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

Endeavour School has made a good start in providing an innovative model of teaching and learning. Children are well supported to become self managing learners as they move through the school. Trustees and leaders provide effective governance and leadership.

ERO is likely to carry out the first full review of the school after 12 months as part of the regular review cycle for new schools. 

Graham Randell
Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern 

School Statistics                           

Location

Hamilton

Ministry of Education profile number

6941

School type

Contributing (Years 1 to 6)

School roll

225

Gender composition

Girls       52%
Boys      48%

Ethnic composition

Māori
Pākehā
Chinese
Indian
Korean
South East Asian
other

  7%
69%
  8%
  4%
  2%
  2%
  8%

Review team on site

November 2015

Date of this report

31 March 2016