E.R.O Report
For the link to the official Education Review Office Website and the full report, click HERE
14 December 2010
To the Parents and Community of Springlands School
These are the findings of the Education Review Office’s latest report on Springlands School.
Springlands School, a Year 1 to 6 contributing primary, is located on the western side of Blenheim. The board of trustees and school leaders, in response to community aspirations, continue to develop, implement and shape the school curriculum. Priorities in numeracy, literacy, guided inquiry and the principle of being an eco/sustainable environment underpin the Springlands School curriculum.
Trustees and school leaders work collaboratively to continually improve and sustain the school’s strong self-review practice. Student and family participation adds authenticity to self review and contributes positively to enacting and appropriately reflecting the schools vision, values and community aspirations. Ongoing improvement to the physical environment and teaching and learning are focuses.
The school’s spacious, attractive, well-maintained grounds provide a range of interesting spaces that entice children’s curiosity and interest. Ongoing initiatives such as school wide recycling, taonga gifted by senior students, a Ngahere area and the orchard, herb and vegetable gardens allow students to contribute to the natural, sustainable aesthetically pleasing physical environment.
Mutually respectful relationships are evident throughout the school. Children demonstrate curiosity for and a purposeful attitude towards learning. Enthusiastic motivated students actively engage in lessons. Well-selected activities are culturally relevant, authentic and interesting. Children set goals, know how they are progressing and develop critical awareness of their next steps. Students acquire a repertoire of useful skills and knowledge conducive to successful learning.
Data from 2009 and monitoring during 2010 shows most students, including Maori students, achieve at or above national expectations in reading, writing and mathematics. Those identified as requiring additional assistance to enjoy academic success make good progress. Students who require extension or challenge are also well catered for.
Trustees and school staff embrace and endorse the strategic intent of the Ministry of Education’s plan for Maori success, Ka Hikitia. An integral aspect of the school’s curriculum is a focus on hauora and supporting students’ holistic development. Teachers are committed to inclusive practices.
They respond appropriately to Pacific and Maori student achievement data and other sources of school review information. Maori and Pacific students are valued for their uniqueness and potential.
Educational leadership is focused on student learning and achievement. Trustees’ commitment to resourcing supports ongoing teacher development is successfully achieved. Teachers are highly reflective practitioners with shared understandings for best practice. Ongoing professional dialogue using student achievement data results in appropriate and timely responses to teaching and learning programmes.
Future Action
ERO is likely to carry out the next review in four to five years.
Review Coverage
This report provides an evaluation of how effectively the school’s curriculum promotes student learning – engagement, progress and achievement. ERO’s evaluation takes account of the school’s previous reporting history and is based on:
- what is known about student achievement information, including the achievement of Maori and Pacific students;
- decisions made to improve student achievement using assessment and self review information; and
- teaching strategies and programmes implemented to give effect to the school’s curriculum.
ERO also gathers information during the review to contribute to its national reports. The national reports are published on ERO’s website.
If you would like a copy of the full report, please contact the school or see the ERO website, www.ero.govt.nz.
Kathleen Atkins
National Manager Review Services
Central Region
General Information about Reviews
About ERO
ERO is an independent, external evaluation agency that undertakes reviews of schools and early childhood services throughout New Zealand.
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About ERO Reviews
ERO follows a set of standard procedures to conduct reviews. The purpose of each review is to:
- improve educational achievement in schools
- provide information to parents, communities and the government.
Reviews are intended to focus on student achievement and build on each school’s self review.
Review Focus
ERO’s framework for reviewing and reporting integrates the following:
- school curriculum;
- national evaluation topics – contribute to the development of education policies and their effective implementation; and
- the Board Assurance Statement, including student and staff health and safety.
ERO’s review is responsive to the school’s context. When ERO reviews a school, it takes into account the characteristics of the community from which it draws its students, its aspirations for its young people, and other relevant local factors.
ERO also builds on the school’s own self-review information. ERO is interested in how a school monitors the progress of its students and aspects of school life and culture, and how it uses this information to improve student learning.
This helps ERO to answer the major evaluation question for reviews:
How effectively does this school’s curriculum promote student learning – engagement, progress and achievement?
Areas for Development and Review
ERO reports include areas for development and review to support on-going improvement by identifying priorities. Often the school will have identified these matters through its own self review and already plans further development in those areas.
Disclaimer
Individual ERO school and early childhood centre reports are public information and may be copied or sent electronically. However, the Education Review Office can guarantee only the authenticity of original documents which have been obtained in hard copy directly from either the local ERO office or ERO Corporate Office in Wellington. Please consult your telephone book, or see the ERO web page, www.ero.govt.nz, for ERO office addresses.
