Lindisfarne College

Te Ara Huarau | School Profile Report

Background

This Profile Report was written within 11 months of the Education Review Office and Lindisfarne College working with 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 

Lindisfarne College is a state-integrated Presbyterian school for boys, providing education for students in years 7 to 13. The college is located in Hastings and offers day and boarding facilities for 520 students within a 22ha campus. A new Rector was appointed in term four of 2020.

Lindisfarne College’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are:

• to further improve learner outcomes through effective achievement data analysis and focused teaching strategies, with a focus on years 7 to 10
• to use whole learner profiles effectively to personalise learning experiences and ensure equity for all learners
• to continue to develop a relevant, responsive and challenging 21st Century Lindisfarne College curriculum which enables all learners to achieve their potential. 

You can find a copy of the school’s strategic priorities on Lindisfarne College’s website.

ERO and the school are working together to evaluate the extent to which learner progress and achievement outcomes are equitable and excellent for all learners in years 7 to 10. This will include:

• how effectively achievement data is used to inform responsive teaching practice, in order to improve learning outcomes in years 7 to 10, particularly for priority learners
• the extent to which the tracking of learner achievement outcomes leads to effective reporting in years 7 to 10 to inform key stakeholders, including learners and whanau.

The rationale for selecting this evaluation is:

• the identified need in the junior school to continue to accelerate progress towards achieving equitable and excellent outcomes for all learners.

The school expects to see:

• the wide range of data that is currently gathered in years 7 to 10 being used purposefully to lift student achievement for all learners to ensure equity and excellence
• improved data literacy capability informing teacher practice to improve learner outcomes
• intentional differentiation and continued shifts in teaching practice to improve accessibility to the curriculum, ensuring equity and excellence for all learners
• continued development and effective use of whole learner profiles to ensure more equitable outcomes for all learners.

Strengths

The school can draw from the following strengths to support its goal to ensure learner progress and achievement outcomes are equitable and excellent for all learners in years 7 to 10:

• strong engagement of the college community in all four cornerstones of the college; Christian, academic, sporting and cultural with a strategic focus on equity and excellence for all learners
• students participate and learn in caring, collaborative, inclusive learning communities with ongoing engagement and support from staff, parents and whanau
• leadership prioritises and plans for continuous school improvement promoting equitable and excellent outcomes
• systematic and sustained school processes, practices and actions enhance learner outcomes including for learners with diverse learning needs.

Where to next?

Moving forward the school will prioritise:

• supporting teachers to grow their capability in data literacy and differentiation through a continued commitment to professional development for all teaching staff
• the on-going development and use of whole learner profiles for all learners
• effective reporting to key stakeholders, with a focus on improving student achievement and engagement.

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.

Phil Cowie
Director Review and Improvement Services (Central)
Central Region | Te Tai Pūtahi Nui

31 October 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.