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2007 ERO Report Findings

To the Parents and Community of Westlake Boys High School

These are the findings of the Education Review Office's latest report on
Westlake Boys High School.

Click here to download a copy of the full report

Westlake Boys High School (WBHS) provides a well-balanced education for students, with a wide variety of opportunities for success in academic, sporting and performing arts pursuits. The school has a clear and strong focus on promoting excellence. As noted in the 2004 ERO report the school continues to promote high levels of student achievement and provides an impressive range of co-curricular activities. Students achieve highly, with many receiving international, national and regional distinction.

 

Since the 2004 ERO report the school has fully established a dual qualification pathway. In addition to New Zealand's National Qualification Framework (NQF), teachers have successfully implemented the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). Individual students achieve highly in both pathways, with some obtaining outstanding results. In the CIE results for 2006, WBHS gained more world firsts in the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and the A level examinations than any other school in New Zealand.

 

University entrance pass rates and the school's reporting of combined achievement results in NCEA and CIE indicate that students are achieving at higher levels than similar boys' schools. The school has plans in place to further strengthen the analysis and use of achievement data to improve school-wide reporting of achievement levels and to further develop courses to meet students' needs and enhance the quality of teaching and learning.

 

Students experience a settled, purposeful and well-disciplined learning environment. They interact positively with each other and with their teachers. Students are responsive and co-operative. They participate readily in lessons and are willing to learn. Teachers provide students with good quality learning opportunities and a significant number provide particularly high quality programmes. Students reported that they value both the academic and diverse, well-organised co-curricular opportunities that are provided.

 

The new headmaster, appointed at the beginning of 2007, is building effectively on the work of the previous headmaster who left a strong legacy of educational and sporting achievement, good staff morale and a positive school culture. This headmaster, like his predecessor, is committed to staff development and nurturing leadership. He is actively pursuing initiatives related to further development of the'Westlake Way' focused on teaching and learning. The headmaster is supported by an able and cohesive senior management team who bring a positive energy to their leadership roles.

The headmaster is strengthening the school's commitment to the pursuit of excellence through the development of a learning culture focused on teachers and students working together to enhance achievement. Students spoken to affirmed initiatives and planning related to further developing ways to celebrate success and achievement, particularly in NCEA. They are also very supportive of innovative strategies, promoted by the headmaster, to strengthen students' involvement in learning partnerships with management and teachers.

 

Since the 2004 ERO report good progress has been made to extend the range of teaching approaches experienced by students in the classroom. A focus on literacy aims to improve students' achievement and critical thinking skills. While the school maintains a commitment to the value of some traditional teaching practices, in most subject areas teachers are increasingly using a variety of strategies to enhance student's literacy and critical thinking skills and their involvement in and ownership of their learning. These strategies are likely to have a positive impact on achievement.

 

A highly professional and collegial staff are open to new ideas and demonstrate a willingness to enhance the quality of their teaching. The headmaster, together with key staff, has used internal expertise to establish a well-organised and clearly focused school-wide professional development programme to improve teaching and learning. The headmaster and senior managers plan to sustain this programme and are aware of the need to support teachers with further implementation of innovative teaching strategies in the classroom.

 

The board of trustees is supportive of the new headmaster and committed to enhancing the achievement of all students, particularly those in middle stream classes. Trustees bring diverse skills and professionalism to their work on the board and a new chairperson provides thoughtful leadership. An ongoing and well-managed strategic property development has resulted in the construction of an outstanding school auditorium. The board and staff report that this impressive facility has contributed to strengthening the cohesiveness of the school's culture. It enables the entire school to meet regularly and provides a focus for many student activities. The board is well aware that financial debt incurred as a result of this development will require prudent management of school funds.

 

This report comments on student achievement overall and evaluates the quality of teaching and learning with a focus on literacy. It also comments on the achievement of Maori and Pacific students, provisions for gifted and talented students and international students, pandemic planning, and Adult and Community Education (ACE). The report identifies many areas of good performance, makes suggestions for further improvement and includes recommendations related to the analysis and use of achievement information and strategies to further improve teaching and learning. Matters relating to student welfare were also considered and the report contains suggestions to further improve provision in this area.

Future Action

ERO is confident that the board of trustees can manage the school in the interests of the students and the Crown and bring about the improvements outlined in this report.

ERO will review the school again as part of the regular review cycle.

Review Coverage

ERO reviews do not cover every aspect of school performance and each ERO report may cover different issues. The aim is to provide information on aspects that are central to student achievement and useful to this school.

 

If you would like a copy of the full report, please contact the school or see the ERO website, http://www.ero.govt.nz.

 

Elizabeth Ellis
Area Manager

for Chief Review Officer

Click here to download a copy of the full report