Correspondence School's changes get tick

The Correspondence School's performance has been given a positive review by the Education Review Office.

In its report made public yesterday, the review office found the board and chief executive had seen the school through a "well-considered and extensive change programme" that had "addressed many of the specific concerns" raised in previous reviews.

The office said the change programme included development of an approach for teaching and learning based on "recognised good practice and educational research".

It also commented on a more positive response to the needs of at-risk students and positive outcomes for many of them and a strong commitment to, and more engagement with, Maori.

The school had strengthened pastoral care to provide higher-quality support for students, substantially upgraded information and communications technology and increased efficiency in key service areas.

The office found effective governance by the board, including "excellent progress in implementing its strategic vision" and high-quality professional leadership in most areas, including by the chief executive.

Staff in the school were dedicated and responsive to the educational needs of students and supervisors, it said.

The review office noted the need for speeding up the rate of change and improving aspects of leadership and management in the primary school. Improved statistics on student achievement were also required.

The school had further work to do in self-evaluation and clarifying its role in the education system.

Board of trustees chairman Paul Carpinter said the changes in the school since the last review had been substantial.

"Most areas identified by the ERO for improvement have been anticipated and are already being managed."

The school has been making positive progress since a highly critical review in 1998.

That report said the board of trustees had not met the timeframes for introducing the Curriculum Framework, nor was it providing a balanced curriculum for all its students.

The school's traditional print and postal-based system of distance education was also criticised. The office said it lacked flexibility and responsiveness, reducing the effectiveness of the teaching and learning materials.

The Wellington-based school is New Zealand's biggest, with more than 20,000 students at any one time, and more than 30,000 enrolling over a year.

It consists of four schools and has more Maori and at-risk students than any other school in the country.

- NZPA