Review 8 April 2024
LatestTe Ara Huarau | School Profile Report
Background
This Profile Report was written within 17 months of the Education Review Office and Elsthorpe 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
Elsthorpe School is a rural, full primary school in Central Hawke’s Bay, for students from Years 1 to 8. A new principal was appointed in Term 3 2022.
Elsthorpe School’s strategic priorities for improving outcomes for learners are:
- ākonga are connected, compassionate, caring and empowered to lead their own learning
- an integrated localised curriculum with strengthened language, culture and identity for all ākonga
- strong partnerships that support ākonga learning.
You can find a copy of the school’s strategic and annual plan on Elsthorpe School’s website.
ERO and the school are working together to evaluate the extent to which learners experience a localised curriculum that responds to their culture, language and identity and supports equitable learning outcomes. Included in the evaluation focus is gauging the impact of further developments in the teaching of mathematics on learner progress and achievement.
The rationale for selecting this evaluation is:
- to promote and sustain equitable and excellent learning outcomes for all learners
- to develop a localised curriculum that reflects local contexts and integrates te ao Māori, te reo me ngā tikanga Māori and mātauranga Māori
- to further support reciprocal partnerships across the community and incorporate whānau, hapū and iwi aspirations in the curriculum.
The school expects to see:
- further development in the teaching of mathematics for improved learner progress and achievement
- equity and excellence for all ākonga sustained over time with high levels of attendance and engagement
- a curriculum that reflects local contexts with relevant, authentic learning experiences that builds confidence for all ākonga in their identity, language and culture
- increasing integration of te ao Māori, tikanga Māori and mātauranga Māori learning opportunities throughout the curriculum.
Strengths
The school can draw from the following strengths to support its goal of a localised curriculum that responds to the learning needs and culture, language and identity of all learners:
- respectful relationships and a positive learning environment promote learners’ sense of belonging and connection to the school
- learner wellbeing is well supported; leadership is strengthening policies, programmes and practices to promote learners’ wellbeing through confidence in their identity, language and culture and engagement in learning
- capacity to effect curriculum improvement actions is evident through the commitment by teachers to continued growth in te Reo Māori, tikanga Māori and mātauranga Māori.
Where to next?
Moving forward, the school will prioritise:
- professional learning in: mathematics to further support equity of learner outcomes; how to integrate te reo Māori, te ao Māori and mātauranga Māori within the development of a localised curriculum
- strengthening connections with the community, whānau, hapū and iwi to build reciprocal relationships to support their aspirations for ākonga and inform curriculum design
- building evaluative capability through defining valued and measurable learner outcomes within the strategic planning cycle.
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.
Shelley Booysen
Director of Schools
8 April 2024
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