November 2006 ERO report for Viscount School

Below is a summary of the review findings

To the Parents and Community of Viscount School

These are the findings of the Education Review Office’s latest report on Viscount School.

Viscount School is a large primary school that caters for Year 1 to 8 students. The 2003 ERO report noted that school-wide professional development in literacy, numeracy and inquiry-based learning had improved the quality of learning opportunities for students. This report makes similar findings.

Students are open, polite and friendly and report that they enjoy school. They are confident, outgoing and articulate learners who are exposed to a wide variety of academic and sporting experiences. They learn in a safe environment and display high levels of engagement with purposeful learning tasks and they are offered structured leadership opportunities.

Many students achieve at or above expectations in relation to their age in reading. A variety of appropriate support provisions assist those students who are identified as having special learning needs. The school is continuing to refine its procedures for identifying, tracking and monitoring the progress and achievement of students across year levels in all curriculum areas.

Teachers are enthusiastic and committed to students and their learning. Most teachers are organised, prepare well for teaching and are effective classroom managers. They embrace change and are professionally reflective. Teachers focus on children’s learning and have established high expectations for students in warm, inclusive classrooms in which children are motivated to learn.

The principal is focused on preparing students for living and learning in the 21st century. A competent, cohesive leadership team supports the principal. The senior managers have complementary leadership skills. They support teachers well and have reinforced the notion of a learning community for teachers and students.

The board has a very well considered, extensive building programme that has improved the school’s physical learning environment. Trustees provide the principal and staff with appropriate support and resources to implement changes to the school’s operations. The principal has established a very effective working relationship with the board, and trustees have developed an open and positive relationship with the wider community. Trustees are culturally representative of the school’s population. They have identified board training as a way of further enhancing their good practice. The board has modified its 2006 targets to meet the Ministry of Education’s planning and reporting requirements in literacy and numeracy.

During this review, ERO evaluated the quality of the teaching and learning, with an emphasis on reading. The report comments on areas of national interest, including the achievement of Māori and Pacific students, providing for students who are underachieving and the quality of teaching for Year 8 students in Health and Physical Education in the New Zealand Curriculum. In addition, the report evaluates the extent to which the school meets legal requirements and matters relating to student health and safety. The report notes positive performance in all of these areas and identifies some areas for ongoing development.

Janet Adams

Area Manager Reporting Services (Acting)

for Chief Review Officer