Huanui College

Introduction

ERO reviews of private schools are significantly different in process and more limited in scope and reporting than those for state and state-integrated schools, focusing as they do on the Criteria for Registration set out in clauses 2 to 6, Schedule 7 of the Education and Training Act 2020. 

Clause 9, Schedule 7 of the Education and Training Act requires the Education Review Office (ERO) to review private schools and to report to the Secretary for Education on whether each school meets the criteria for registration. 

More information about ERO reviews of private schools can be found on ERO’s website Private and independent schools | Education Review Office (ero.govt.nz)

The criteria for registration are that the school —

1. has premises that are suitable, as described in clause 3, Schedule 7; and
2. usually provides tuition for 9 or more students who are of or over the age of 5 years but are under the age of 16 years [clause 2(b), Schedule 7); and
3. has staffing that is suitable to the age range and level of its students, the curriculum taught at the school, and the size of the school (clause 2(c), Schedule 7; and
4. has equipment that is suitable for the curriculum being delivered or to be delivered at the school (clause 2(d) Schedule 7); and
5. has a curriculum for teaching, learning, and assessment and makes details of the curriculum and its programme for delivery available for parents; and
6. has suitable tuition standards, as described in clauses 2(e),(f) and 5, Schedule 7; and
7. has managers who are fit and proper persons (as described in clause 6, Schedule 7) to be managers of a private school; and 
8. is a physically and emotionally safe place for students (clause 2(h), Schedule 7).

When an ERO report identifies an area within the criteria for registration that is not meeting the criteria at the time of the ERO review, that will be reported, the Ministry will be informed, and the Ministry will follow up the issue with the school. 

ERO’s Judgement

a) The school has premises that are suitable as described in clause 3, Schedule 7

Meeting

b) The school usually provides tuition for 9 or more students who are of or over the age of 5 years but are under the age of 16 years

Meeting

 c) The school has staffing that is suitable to the age range and level of its students, the curriculum taught at the school, and the size of the school

Meeting - Refer to conclusion below

 d) The school has equipment that is suitable for the curriculum being delivered or to be delivered at the school

Meeting

e) The school has a curriculum for teaching, learning, and assessment and makes details of the curriculum and its programme for delivery available for parents

Meeting

f) The school has suitable tuition standards as described in clauses 2(e), (f) and 5, Schedule 7

Meeting

g) The school has managers who are fit and proper persons (as described in clause 6, Schedule 7)

Refer to conclusion below 

h) The school is a physically and emotionally safe place for students

A safe place is one in which risks to student safety are regularly assessed and evaluated with a view to eliminating, or at least reducing, harm. A safe place is one where clear policies exist and are acted upon to eliminate or minimise harm.

ERO’s judgement is based on the quality, intent and regular review of the school’s policies and procedures. 

The school does not have regularly reviewed policies and procedures to provide for a physically and emotionally safe place for students.

Refer to conclusion below. 

Conclusion

During the onsite phase of the review process, ERO identified actions that the school was required to undertake in order to meet the criteria for registration as a private school set out in clauses 2 to 6, Schedule 7 of the Education & Training Act 2020. These actions have since been addressed. 

During the onsite review

ERO identified the following non-compliances:

In relation to the criteria that the school has staffing that is suitable to the age range and level of its students, the curriculum taught at the school, and the size of the school (clause 2(c), Schedule 7)

• one teacher with an expired ‘Limited Authority to Teach’
• a police vet for one non-teaching member of the staff had not been obtained under clause 12, Schedule 4 of the Education and Training Act 2020. The school management is required to obtain the police vet every 3 years.

In relation to the criteria that the school is a physically and emotionally safe place for students (clause 2(h), Schedule 7)

• the school does not have regularly reviewed policies and procedures to provide for a physically and emotionally safe place for students
• an independent review conducted since the last ERO review and in response to a complaint recommended updates to policies related to the health and safety of students, including:
  • Disciplinary Procedures for Staff Competency and/or Conduct
  • Harassment and Procedure Policy
  • Complaints and Compliments Procedure
• the school did not complete a mandatory report to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand following a complaint by a student (Education and Training Act Section 491 Mandatory reporting of possible serious misconduct).

In relation to the criteria that the school has managers who are fit and proper persons (as described in clause 6, Schedule 7)

• The school managers have attested to ERO that they are Fit and Proper Persons (FPP). However, the managers have not yet been assessed by the Ministry of Education as FPP (as required under clause 6 Schedule 7 of the Act).
• EROs judgement is that the school has taken reasonable steps to ensure managers are FPP, including requesting the MOE to assess all managers as FPP.
• ERO recommends that this assessment is completed by the MOE within the next 6 months. 

In relation to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 

• police vets for some homestay providers for international students had not been renewed every three years.

Since the onsite review 

ERO has received evidence to show that the principal and the board have: 

• requested an assessment by the Ministry of Education that school managers meet the criteria as fit and proper persons of a private school. This has yet to occur
• completed and submitted a mandatory report to the Teaching Council following a complaint by a student
• renewed police vets for all children’s workers
• received a renewed Limited Authority to Teach from the Teaching Council for a staff member
• reviewed and updated school policies and processes for safety checking of children’s workers, and periodic rechecking of existing children’s workers including to ensure police vetting occurs
• reviewed and updated policies in relation to health and safety obligations, providing a physically and emotionally safe place for students.

ERO finds that subject to the MOE assessment of managers as ‘Fit and Proper persons’, the Huanui College is meeting all other aspects of the Criteria for Registration set out in clauses 2 to 6, Schedule 7 of the Education and Training Act 2020 as noted above.

Other Matters

Provision for international students 

The school is a signatory provider to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 established under section 534 of the Education and Training Act 2020. The school has attested that it complies with all aspects of the Code and has completed an annual self-review of its implementation of the Code.

At the time of this review there were six international students attending the school. 

Huanui College is currently carrying out a comprehensive review of their systems and processes regarding self-review and provision of pastoral care for international students. The small number of international students enrolled are included in the wider life of the school. 

Shelley Booysen
Director of Schools

26 June 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