'Constructive' meeting over school's NCEA decision

Auckland Grammar School headmaster John Morris. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Auckland Grammar had a "constructive" meeting with Ministry of Education officials today following the school's decision to offer Cambridge examinations instead of the national NCEA qualification this year.

The boys' secondary school in the upmarket suburb of Epsom said this week that its Year 11 (fifth form) students would sit the University of Cambridge's international exams instead of National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) exams.

Headmaster John Morris said the move was backed by the board of trustees, the academic committee and most parents.

The ministry's principal adviser, Kevin Wilson, said this afternoon a "constructive" meeting was held today with the school to discuss its plans.

"We learned more about the range of qualifications offered at the school. Officials will now carefully consider the information in order to provide feedback to the school in due course," he said.

Earlier today, Mr Wilson indicated that the school was keeping within the law.

"Schools are entitled to offer a mix of qualifications and Auckland Grammar has said it is still offering NCEA," he said.

NCEA would still be offered to about 10 per cent of the Year 11 students - mainly those struggling in maths and English.

Post Primary Teachers Association president Kate Gainsford has written to Education Minister Anne Tolley, urging her to order the school to use NCEA and, if it refused, sack the board of trustees.

Ms Tolley defended the NCEA system, saying it was world-class, but refused to comment specifically on Ms Gainsford's request to take action against the board.

Nobody at Auckland Grammar School was available to comment today.

- NZPA