Report of the Education Review Office
Community Page
8 November 2010
To the Parents and Community of Papakura Normal School
These are the findings of the Education Review Office’s latest report on Papakura Normal School.
Papakura Normal School is a large school catering for Year 1 to 8 students who are drawn from a growing and diverse community. The school continues to work closely with the University of Auckland Faculty of Education in supporting pre-service teachers in their on-site training. Children take pride in their well resourced, well presented and attractive school. The carefully maintained grounds and buildings reflect the positive culture of the school.
The school has a history of positive ERO reports and children have continued to benefit from high quality teaching. Skilled support staff complement the work of classroom teachers. During the review, ERO and school leaders discussed the need for teachers to continue to build on their good practices of providing children with opportunities to reflect on and identify next steps for their learning. These discussions also identified the need for teachers to continue to develop children’s questioning skills and to use an inquiry approach to support life-long learning. Teachers value opportunities for professional development and their participation in the Papakura Achievement Initiative (PAI) has increased professional growth, improved the quality of teaching, and developed the leadership skills of staff.
The school has made good progress towards the implementation of National Standards. Teachers, encouraged by children’s progress and achievement, reflect together on ways in which they can further support children’s learning. School assessment data indicate that children make accelerated progress, especially in their early years at school. The majority of children in the middle and senior school achieve at levels that are at or above national age-related expectations in reading and mathematics. Māori students, who make up just over half of the student population, achieve well. The use of te reo and tikanga Māori is integrated into learning programmes. In addition, two enrichment classes provide children with teaching in te reo Māori.
The school’s curriculum and positive culture facilitate high levels of student engagement in learning. Children have access to a wide range of learning experiences. They enjoy participating in a variety of programmes, including sport, environmental education, the arts, cultural groups and education outside the classroom. Children relate well to each other and work cooperatively in groups. They have good opportunities for leadership. Differentiated classroom programmes help to ensure that children are working at appropriate levels.
The principal and school leaders have high expectations for student learning and achievement. Good self-review processes mean that trustees receive relevant information that helps them to plan strategically for ongoing improvements in the school. The community, staff and board of trustees work in partnership to implement the school’s curriculum principles, vision and values.
Future Action
ERO is likely to carry out the next review within 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 Māori 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.
Richard Thornton
National Manager Review Services
Northern Region
The full report can be downloaded using this link (pdf format) - Papakura-Normal-School-08-11-2010.pdf