ERO Report
The Education Review Office (ERO) undertakes an education review of schools on a regular basis. The purpose of the review is to provide information to the school, parents and the community about its performance. The latest review of Browns Bay School was during 2011 and can be viewed by clicking on the link below.
The Education Review Office (ERO) Evaluation
Browns Bay School has history of positive ERO reports. The school continues to provide children in the local community with good quality education from Years 1-6. The grounds and buildings are attractive and well maintained and the school’s educational resources are well organised and managed. The board receives strong support from the community. However, the school roll is declining because of current demographic trends in the local population.
Children are articulate and motivated. They appear to enjoy school and to be happy there. Their social skills are well developed, and children show respect and consideration for their peers, their teachers and their environment. They make good use of opportunities to learn, and engage in extracurricular activities, such as sporting activities and educational opportunities outside the classroom. Students achieve well. School assessment information indicates that in literacy and mathematics the majority of students are achieving at levels that are at or above national expectations.
Teachers provide interesting and appropriate learning programmes for children. They monitor students’ progress and respond to their learning needs, varying the programmes to suit groups and individual students. Teachers are keen to improve their teaching. They readily support one another and share their knowledge, expertise and resources. These good practices contribute to a positive and congenial working environment in which staff report feeling valued.
Senior leaders provide very sound leadership, promoting high quality teaching and learning. They have successfully explored notions of best practice with staff and are working with teachers and an outside facilitator to strengthen the quality of teaching. Professional learning and development is managed very well. Senior leaders provide teachers with valuable opportunities to develop and practise leadership.
The board of trustees has benefited from the well established and effective systems developed by the previous board. While some trustees are new, they understand their governance role well and have a strong focus on ensuring that the school provides high quality education. Trustees work well with the senior management team. The board plans strategically and makes well considered decisions.
This report focuses on the quality of teaching to support learning, and on professional learning and development. The report comments on the school’s progress in enhancing Māori student achievement and evaluates the provision for ensuring students’ emotional and physical wellbeing. Good performance is identified and areas for further development are suggested. The report notes that the school complies with the Code of Practice for Pastoral Care of International Students. ERO finds that high quality practices are in place and recommends that senior leaders continue to provide staff with professional development to support effective teaching and learning in the school …