Tapora School

Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report

Background

This Profile Report was written within six months of the Education Review Office and Tapora 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 

Tapora School is in a small rural community on the Okahukura Peninsula, near Wellsford in Auckland. The school caters for children from Years 1 – 8. Through a partnership with the Virtual Learning Network Primary School, it can offer a broad curriculum.

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

• every student can attain their highest possible standard in educational achievement

• the school is a physically and emotionally safe place for all students and staff

• the school is inclusive and caters for students with differing needs

• the school gives effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

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

ERO and the school are working together to evaluate the impact of collaborative partnerships with whānau and the school community on positive outcomes for all learners.

The rationale for selecting this evaluation is to:

• raise student achievement, particularly in core learning areas

• strengthen the connection between the community and the local curriculum

• increase opportunities for parents to be involved in school events

• utilise online engagement to increase community involvement.

The school expects to see increased opportunities for involvement of parents and the community in the school, promoting positive outcomes for all learners.

Strengths

The school can draw from the following strengths to support its goal to evaluate the impact of collaborative partnerships with whānau and the school community on positive outcomes for all learners:

• an inclusive learning climate where the small size of the school enables teachers to know children well, creating a safe learning environment

• the local curriculum is responsive to the needs of all learners

• multi-level classrooms enable teachers to know learning progressions that allow for seamless transitions.

Where to next?

Moving forward, the school will prioritise:

• consulting with whānau, families and the community on ways to increase their engagement with the school to strengthen their collaborative partnerships

• developing and implementing a plan that enhances opportunities for parent and community involvement in the local curriculum to raise student achievement

• meeting the needs of a small school with creative use of resources to provide the best 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.

Filivaifale Jason Swann
Director Review and Improvement Services (Northern)
Northern Region | Te Tai Raki

19 December 2022 

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