Secondary education in New Zealand
Encyclopedia
Secondary education in New Zealand takes up to five years, covering the ages 13 to 18, corresponding to the school years 9 to 13.
Many private schools, state area schools and state integrated schools take students from Years 0 to 13, or Years 7 to 13.
Critics have suggested that the system is fundamentally unfair as it restricts the choice for parents to choose schools and schools to choose their students. In addition, there is evidence that property values surrounding some more desirable schools become inflated, thus restricting the ability of lowers socio-economic groups to purchase a house in the zone.http://www.educationforum.org.nz/documents/e_newsletter/12_03/Dec03_Chchzone.htm
("NCEA"). At some schools students can opt for IGCSE
/A-levels (popularly known as "Cambridge exams") or the International Baccalaureate Diploma
.
NCEA has three levels, one for each of the last three years of secondary school. It contains a mix of internal and external assessments. NCEA replaced the old School Certificate
, Sixth Form Certificate
and Bursary
systems.
The IGCSE and A-level exams of the Cambridge International Examinations
Board are offered at some schools. For these qualifications, IGCSE is sat in year 11, AS-level in year 12 and A-level in year 13. Neither of these independent qualifications are registered on the NZQA National Qualifications Framework.
University Entrance, based on NCEA results, allows entrance to New Zealand universities. New Zealand Scholarship
is a qualification pitched at students within the top stanine level.
Independent Schools Education Association (ISEA) is the union for teaching and non-teaching staff in New Zealand independent (private) schools.
Types of school
There are three types of school: state, private (or registered or independent) and state integrated schools. State and state integrated schools are government funded. Private schools receive about 25% of their funding from the government http://www.isnz.org.nz/documents/other/isnz_nz_schools.pdf, and rely on tuition fees for the rest. State integrated schools are former private schools which are now "integrated" into the state system under the Private Schools Conditional Integration Act 1975 http://www.legislation.govt.nz/libraries/contents/om_isapi.dll?clientID=3690096234&hitsperheading=on&infobase=pal_statutes.nfo&record=%7b3AAAD062%7d&softpage=DOC "on a basis which will preserve and safeguard the special character of the education provided by them". According to Independent Schools New Zealand, an advocacy group for private schools, about 86% of all school-aged children attend state schools, 10% attend state integrated schools and 4% attend private schools http://www.isnz.org.nz/documents/other/isnz_nz_schools.pdf.Many private schools, state area schools and state integrated schools take students from Years 0 to 13, or Years 7 to 13.
State school enrolment schemes
For state schools, the Education Amendment Act 2000 puts in place a new "system for determining enrolment of students in circumstances where a school has reached its roll capacity and needs to avoid overcrowding." Schools which operate enrolment schemes have a geographically defined "home zone". Residence in this zone, or in the school's boarding house, if it has one, gives right of entry to the School. Students who live outside the school's home zone can be admitted, if there are places available, in the following order of priority: special programmes; siblings of currently enrolled students; siblings of past students; children of board employees; all other students. If there are more applications than available places then selection must be through a ballot, which is randomly selected.Critics have suggested that the system is fundamentally unfair as it restricts the choice for parents to choose schools and schools to choose their students. In addition, there is evidence that property values surrounding some more desirable schools become inflated, thus restricting the ability of lowers socio-economic groups to purchase a house in the zone.http://www.educationforum.org.nz/documents/e_newsletter/12_03/Dec03_Chchzone.htm
School qualifications
The Government-run student qualification system is the National Certificate of Educational AchievementNational Certificate of Educational Achievement
The National Certificate of Educational Achievement is, since 2004, the official secondary school qualification in New Zealand.It has three levels, corresponding to the levels within the National Qualifications Framework, and these are generally studied in each of the three final years of...
("NCEA"). At some schools students can opt for IGCSE
IGCSE
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education is an internationally recognised qualification for school students, typically in the 14–16 age group. It is similar to the GCSE in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Standard Grade in Scotland or Junior Certificate in the Republic of...
/A-levels (popularly known as "Cambridge exams") or the International Baccalaureate Diploma
IB Diploma Programme
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme for students aged 16–19that provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education, and is recognised by universities worldwide. It was developed in the early to mid-1960s in Geneva by...
.
NCEA has three levels, one for each of the last three years of secondary school. It contains a mix of internal and external assessments. NCEA replaced the old School Certificate
School Certificate (New Zealand)
The New Zealand School Certificate or School Certificate was a former New Zealand secondary school qualification for high school students in Year 11...
, Sixth Form Certificate
Sixth Form Certificate
Sixth Form Certificate was a New Zealand secondary school qualification gained at the end of Form 6 that was awarded until 2002. The system was assessed internally....
and Bursary
New Zealand University Bursary
The New Zealand University Bursary or Bursary was a former New Zealand secondary school qualification gained by Year 13 high school students....
systems.
The IGCSE and A-level exams of the Cambridge International Examinations
Cambridge International Examinations
University of Cambridge International Examinations is a provider of international qualifications for students between the ages of 14 and 19, offering examinations and qualifications in more than 150 countries. It is an Examination Board under Cambridge Assessment, founded in 1858 as a department...
Board are offered at some schools. For these qualifications, IGCSE is sat in year 11, AS-level in year 12 and A-level in year 13. Neither of these independent qualifications are registered on the NZQA National Qualifications Framework.
University Entrance, based on NCEA results, allows entrance to New Zealand universities. New Zealand Scholarship
New Zealand Scholarship
From 2004, the New Zealand Scholarship is a New Zealand secondary school award gained at the end of Year 13, and provides financial support for study at a New Zealand university. It is intended for the top students of NCEA Level 3, the main secondary school leaving qualification.-About:The first...
is a qualification pitched at students within the top stanine level.
Fees and Donations
Strictly speaking, no fees need to be paid for education at a state school. However, most schools also ask for a "voluntary donation" from parents, informally known as "school fees" or a "parental contribution".Online information
- Guide to Schooling in New Zealand covers primary, intermediate and secondary schooling. Provided by the Ministry of Education of the New Zealand Government.
- Education Review office (ERO). Reports on every school which include statistical data such as overall roll, parental income, and gender and ethnic composition, as well as assessment of areas of strength and areas for improvement. Provided by the Education Review OfficeNew Zealand Education Review OfficeThe Education Review Office or ERO is a relatively small state sector organisation of New Zealand tasked with reviewing and reporting publicly on the quality of education in all New Zealand schools...
.
See also
- Education in New ZealandEducation in New ZealandEducation in New Zealand follows the three-tier model which includes primary schools, followed by secondary schools and tertiary education at universities and/or polytechs....
- For a list of New Zealand schools with Wikipedia articles, see Category:Schools in New Zealand
Independent Schools Education Association (ISEA) is the union for teaching and non-teaching staff in New Zealand independent (private) schools.