Education Review Report

2010

TO THE PARENTS AND COMMUNITY OF WHANGAREI HEADS SCHOOL

These are the findings of the Education Review Office’s latest report on Whangarei Heads School.

Whangarei Heads School sits beneath the Northland landmark, Mt Manaia.  The small six teacher school, set in a distinctive bush and coastal environment, cleebrated its 150 year jubilee in 2007.  The local community is proud of the school's history, its ethos and achievements.  The board of trustees is committed to maintaining the high standard of education and student achievement commended in previous ERO reports.

At the time of ERO's 2006 review, the new principal and senior teachers were implementing successful school-wide initiatives to enhance the teaching of literacy.  Work to address ERO's recommendation in 2006, that the board and staff increase the school's bicultural focus, has resulted in positive growth and development.  Other key areas of devevlopment have centred on implementing The New Zealand Curriculum, strengthening assessment and reporting systems, and extending self-review practices.

The school's curriculum is designed effectively so that it promotes the learning of all students.  It provides an holistic overview of curriculum areas, with a clear emphasis on literacy and numeracy.  Students are confident, enthusiastic learners who are developing useful inquiry-based learning skills.  They benefit from an enviro-school focus that makes classroom programmes relevant and engaging.  The board's investment in information and communication tehcnologies supports teachers' use of ICT to improve learning.

Students' achievement and wellbeing are central to the board's decision making.  Student achievement levels, including those of Maori students, are above national age-related expectations, and are reported clearly to the board and the community.  The school provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for all children.  The board resources additional teacher time to support classroom programmes and specialist interventions for students with specific learning needs.

The principal provides high quality leadership to the board, the staff, and parents.  Feedback from a recent survey of the school community reflects parent confidence in school operations and practices.  Children's learning and behaviour are very well managed, and parents are increasingly involved in supporting students' learning through goal-setting procedures and three-way report conferences. 

Reflective self-review practices mean that the board's decision-making processes to ensure ongoing improvements in the school are becoming increasingly well informed.  The board and ERO agree that extending the use of inquiry-learning approaches will further benefit students learning and progress.

Future Action: 
ERO is very confident that the board of trustees can govern the school in the interest of the students and the Crown and bring about the improvements outlined in this report.  ERO is likely to carry out the next review in four to five years.

Review Coverage:
ERO reviews do not cover every aspect of school performance and each ERO report may cover different issues.  The aim is to provide information on aspects that are central to student achievement and useful to this school.

If you would like a copy of the full report, please contact the school or see the ERO website, www.ero.govt.nz

Richard Thornton
National Manager Review Services