The Education Review Office | Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga (ERO) is the New Zealand government’s external evaluation agency for schools like ours.

Their impartial and objective monitoring and evaluation is critical to the integrity of the New Zealand education system, so that you can have confidence in the delivery of your child’s education.

So, what did ERO think of Ilam School when they last visited, in 2024?

Diversity / Equity

ERO highlighted the strength of Ilam's diverse community and localised, responsive curriculum.

• Embracing Diversity & Culture: With students representing over 60 different cultural backgrounds, the school curriculum is student-centred, localized, and responsive, ensuring all learners feel valued and engaged.

• Māori Learner Success: ERO noted that the majority of students, including most Māori students, achieve at or above curriculum expectations in reading, writing, and mathematics.

• Pacific Student Care: The school actively partners with our Pacific families through a dedicated Pacific Plan to support attendance, wellbeing, and achievement.

Leadership

• Effective Evidence-Based Leadership: Senior leaders and board members use evidence-based evaluations to align school systems, build team leadership, and strengthen learning outcomes in core subject areas.

• Full Board Assurance: In 2024, the Ilam School Board successfully attested to meeting all regulatory and legislative requirements across curriculum, health & safety, personnel, finance, and assets.

Academic achievement

• Strong Core Outcomes: The school's data shows that the majority of students achieve at or above curriculum expectations across reading, writing, and mathematics.

• Research-Informed Mathematics Pathway: ERO praised our school-wide focus on mathematics, noting that our teachers use research-informed, personalised practices that foster student confidence, engagement, and high achievement.

• Culture of Innovation: ERO highlighted a strong culture of innovation, where teachers actively apply evidence-based teaching practices to continuously improve learning across all subjects.

Support

• Collective Responsibility: Board, leaders, and staff prioritise student learning, progress, and holistic wellbeing.

• Supportive Transitions & Attendance: Students experience positive transitions to, within, and from school, supported by proactive initiatives that maintain a 90% attendance rate.

• Inclusive & Targeted Support: Additional learning needs are identified early, with support programmes and Individual Education Plans (IEPs) designed around the voices and strengths of students and their whānau.

• International Student Care: High-quality pastoral care, education, and dedicated ESOL tuition are provided for international students.

International Student Provision

• Dedicated Pastoral Care & ESOL Team: ERO commended our well-established international team for maintaining strong oversight of English language learning, regularly monitoring well-being, and supporting international families.

• Enthusiastic Learners: International students surveyed by ERO expressed high enthusiasm for their learning experiences and appreciated the friendly, supportive nature of our classrooms and staff.

If you’d like to read the full 2024 ERO report, you can request a copy from the school office.