Kingslea is a composite special school providing education for students in Child, Youth and Family (CYF) residential facilities in four different locations. Puketai school is a Care and Protection residence located in Dunedin. There are up to eight students usually enrolled at any one time.
The students’ ages range from 8 -17 with the average age being 13. Most students are severely at risk with varied needs, including behaviour and learning difficulties. The length of time in the school varies significantly, but most students are involved in the programme for about 4-5 months. At present, there are equal numbers of male/female students and most of these students are Pākehā.
The assistant principal and teachers effectively use the achievement information to plan relevant learning activities for students. They focus on students’ strengths, interests and experiences, and identify strategies that support students to achieve success.
Teachers plan some individualised learning and also some group activities. The programmes are varied and include a range of practical and quiet activities. However, at times, some activities were clearly not stimulating enough to engage all students’ interests and involvement.
ERO observed variable teaching practices. However, where lessons were well planned, structured and included practical activities related to the topic being studied, students were highly engaged. Teachers were working one-on-one with students and interactions were friendly and relaxed.
Analysed achievement information shows that most students make good progress towards their individual learning goals and the school’s achievement targets. In 2012, over 60% of students met the school’s expectations in reading, writing and mathematics. Where appropriate, National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) unit standards are available for students to study.
The assistant principal and teachers appropriately plan relevant learning experiences throughout the curriculum. There is a strong focus on literacy and mathematics, but students also have good opportunities to learn through:
Teachers regularly review students’ learning, attitude and behaviour, and record the progress that individual students make in literacy, mathematics and other areas of the curriculum. Teachers also reflect on how students are taught and what strategies could better support each student’s learning.
Students and teachers have good opportunities to learn te reo me ngā tikanga Māori. The school uses the expert knowledge of an elder from the local Māori community. The next step is for teachers to work more closely with the kuia to support students’ learning.
Areas for review and development
To further improve educational outcomes for students, school leaders and teachers should:
Relationship issues and differences in understandings of protocols related to specific roles led to a breakdown in cooperation and interaction between school staff and CYF staff in 2012.
Staff changes will occur at the start of Term 2 as two teachers (including the assistant principal) have resigned. The school leaders have developed an action plan to address the communication issues and to manage the changes brought about by the employment of new staff.
The Kinglsea school senior leadership team is actively working towards establishing effective and positive working relationships with the CYF residential manager, other leaders and staff. This includes:
The senior leadership team provides good support for staff and students. Features of this leadership include:
The board has developed sound and supportive governance practices. These include:
Area for review and development
The manager/principal should from time to time review the effectiveness of school procedures, protocols and practices in meeting the needs of teaching staff.
Students in this school reside in the residences administered under the CYF protocols and procedures.
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:
During the review, ERO checked the following items because they have a potentially high impact on student achievement:
ERO is likely to carry out the next review in three years.
Graham Randell
National Manager Review Services
Southern Region
12 June 2013
Location |
Andersons Bay, Dunedin |
|
Ministry of Education profile number |
518 |
|
School type |
Special School, Composite (Years 1 to 13) |
|
School roll |
8 |
|
Gender composition |
Boys 4 Girls 4 |
|
Ethnic composition |
New Zealand European/Pākehā Māori |
5 3 |
Special Features |
This school provides education in four different CYFS residential facilities. Puketai is one of these sites and is a Care and Protection facility. |
|
Review team on site |
March 2013 |
|
Date of this report |
12 June 2013 |
|
Most recent ERO report(s) |
Education Review Education Review Supplementary Review |
July 2008 February 2005 May 2002 |