Positive Report Received From ERO

Education Review Office Report on Amesbury School

At the end of May we had a review visit by ERO. Our review report has been confirmed and recently it went online. You can check out our New School Assurance Report at http://www.ero.govt.nz/Early-Childhood-School-Reports/School-Reports/Amesbury-School-20-07-2012

Prior to opening we had two visits from ERO one in July, 2011 and the other in November, 2011. The purpose of this third visit of three was to provide:

• ·         assurance to the board and community that the school is ready to receive students
• ·         assurance that the school is operating in accordance with the vision articulated by the Establishment Board
• ·         information to parents and the community about children’s well-being and engagement in learning

Some excerpts from the report:

“Students are provided a high quality, attractive environment that supports their wellbeing and learning.”

“Teaching spaces are comfortable, well-resourced and used in responsive and flexible ways to support the school’s interactive and personalised curriculum.”

“All elements of the curriculum, including assessment processes, are well planned and provide a cohesive model of teaching and learning to promote student progress and achievement.”

“Students are active participants in their learning. Personalised learning contracts provide direction for each student’s learning programme and goals….Student-led inquiries allow them to explore personal learning interests and develop new skills”

“Students have many opportunities to be involved in making decisions about their learning and put forward ideas to enrich school culture and aspects of school organisation.”

“Student wellbeing is prioritised by trustees and staff….They work together in cooperative and collaborative ways and enjoy positive relationships with their peers and teachers.”

“Students are proud and affirming of their school and appreciate the guidance they receive to be independent learners.”

Notable features of the school’s curriculum include:

• ·         “holistic” and “personalised” approach to learning.
• ·         “Grounded in current educational literature and research”
• ·         “integrates different learning areas”
• ·         “clear inclusion of the principles and key competencies of the NZC”
• ·         “emphasis on the development of core literacy and mathematics skills to support learning across the curriculum”