Setting up a State School

Section 156 of the Education Act which allows people who are looking for a different style of education, one that is not currently available within the state system in that area. This is part of the real intent behind communities having control of their schools.

We interpret it to be a different style of secular education since this will be a state school and the concept of education in New Zealand is that it is secular and free.

We agree with that.

The rules have been changed by cabinet minute, we think so we think you are likely to have to show evidence of about 100 at primary school level and probably about 200 at secondary level in order to get any traction in this area. Obviously, although the Act doesn’t mention it, the Ministry will have regard for the existing network of schools and existing schools will also be asked to comment on the proposal.

The Ministry now has a series of questions that they will get your group to cover in their application and that will include how you are different from other schools and evidence that there are a lot of people who want to attend such a school .You will also need to have consulted your community (which is less than defined) and initially we had to identify the property.

This last part seems to have changed.

Section 156 says this:

[156: Designated character schools]

  1. Subject to subsection (2) of this section, the Minister may, by notice in the Gazette when establishing the school, designate a state school as a designated character school.
  2. The Minister shall not establish a school as a designated character school unless satisfied that
    1. The parents of at least 21 people who would, if the school were established, be entitled to free enrolment there, want the school to be established; and
    2. The parents want the school to have a character that is in some specific way or ways different from the character of ordinary state schools; and
    3. The parents have given the Minister a clear written description and explanation (expressed in the form of aims, purposes, and objectives for the school) of the way or ways; and
    4. Students at a school with such a character would get an education of a kind that
      1. Differs significantly from the education they would get at an ordinary state school; and
      2. Is not available at any other state school that children of the parents concerned can conveniently attend; and
    5. It is desirable for students whose parents want them to do so to get such an education.
  3. The Minister may in the Minister's absolute discretion refuse to establish a designated character school.
  4. The notice establishing a designated character school shall specify the aims, purposes, and objectives that constitute its designated character; and every charter and proposed charter for the school shall be deemed to contain them.
  5. The notice shall also specify the constitution of the school's Board.
  6. The Minister may from time to time, after consultation with the Board of a designated character school, by notice in the Gazette amend
    1. The aims, purposes, and objectives that constitute the school's designated character; or
    2. The constitution of its Board. image
  7. The Secretary must from time to time, by written notice to the designated character school, fix a maximum roll of the school, and
    1. The Board must ensure that the number of students enrolled at the school is not more than the maximum roll; and
    2. The Board may refuse the enrolments of people whose parents do not accept the aims, purposes, and objectives that constitute the school's designated character.
  8. Except as provided in this section and section, this Act and the Education Act 1964 shall apply to every designated character school as if it is not a designated character school.