The Government has revealed the next two charter schools to be opened.
Tōtara Park School and Twin Oaks Classical School, both in Auckland, would join the seven schools already opened, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today.
Tōtara Park would open in Term 1 of next year and begin with a cohort of students from years one to four. The school was based on the “Pared” model of schools, using a personalised mentoring system.
“Mentors support parents in exercising their duty as primary educators. An individual mentor, selected from the teachers and learning assistants at the school, is appointed to each student and given the necessary training to fulfil this role,” Seymour said.
Twin Oaks would open to students years one to nine in July this year, accommodating students up to Year 13 by 2027.
The school was based on the Charlotte Mason approach. Students would spend the first three days of the week at school and the last two learning from home,
“The school will train and support parents and provide clear expectations for work that students complete at home,” Seymour said.
Before today’s announcement, seven schools were already open and operating. They were Mastery Schools New Zealand – Arapaki; Te Rito, Te Kura Taiao, Ecole Francaise Internationale Auckland, Tipene, The Busy School, North West Creative Arts College and Christchurch North College.
With today’s announcement, expressions of interest for new charter schools have closed.
Seymour said “keen interest” from sponsors had been “as expected”.
“This demand not only highlights the need, but also the commitment of sponsors to provide innovative educational opportunities.”
The re-introduction of charter schools has been controversial, with some praising the move for bringing diversity to the education system, while others were concerned about the independent schools being able to set their own curriculum, hours, and staff pay rates.
New Zealand Educational Institute president Mark Potter said in September last year that there were “no places in the world” where charter schools being introduced had “made any improvements or differences in a positive manner for children”.
“Well, we know for a fact that when they were done here last time, they’re expensive and they didn’t provide the improvements that they promised.”
“Children who need additional support, we know that will make a significant difference to how many hours of available resource that could have right now. Right now, schools are desperate for that kind of resourcing. They need to have more opportunity to help make different programs for children,” he said.
Seymour defended the policy, saying: “Charter schools provide educators with greater autonomy and create diversity in New Zealand’s education system”.
“They have been proven to raise overall educational achievement, especially for students who are underachieving or disengaged from the standard system.
“Charter schools have greater flexibility to respond to diverse student needs in innovative ways, but in return they have greater accountability.”
