By Simon Clarke | Posted: Monday May 21, 2018
The final ERO report.
It seems like a long time ago since we had the ERO team visit the school but we now have the final report.
They have identified Kaikorai School as a high performing school which will move from a 3 year to a 4-5 year review schedule.
They had many positive things to say about the Board of Trustees and their levels of expertise, understanding of how the school operates and their plans for continued improvement.
"The board is well informed and keeps student wellbeing and learning at the forefront of decision making."
The management team of Susan Oldfield, Sarah Gilbert, Robin Hartley and myself was identified as having
"strong, professional leaders who are reflective, open to new ideas and change, to improve outcomes for children."
ERO commented on the work of the teachers, teacher aides and the support teachers led by Kristen Ferguson which includes Alison Baker and Nicky Gardner.
"A strong emphasis has been placed on the role of the teacher responsible for students with additional education needs (SENCO) to ensure students who need extra help are supported to accelerate their progress and succeed in their learning. Students with additional needs are planned for individually. They have detailed plans that clearly show achievement of learning goals."
ERO could see that we endeavour to maintain a positive culture in the school.
"Students benefit from respectful, trusting relationships with their teachers and each other." and that it is a "safe environment for staff and students to take risks."
The work we have been doing for the last three years on google docs, their WOW folders and student goals was also recognised as a strength of the school as students took an "increasing responsibility for their learning."
ERO's only recommendation was to continue to build on the work that we are doing and "ensure the approach to teaching and learning remains the driving force for the design of the new building."
As pleasing as it was to have external moderators in ERO recognise the successes in the school, what was especially pleasing throughout this process was the largely very positive feedback from the community, students and staff. Our own self review allows us to know our strengths and weaknesses, we know what areas we want to continue to develop and we know how to get there.
The full report can be found below.