We know it works

The Education Review Office used Sylvia Park School’s inquiry approach as an example of an effective learning and teaching strategy in their 2017 report Teaching Approaches and Strategies that Work. With an analysis of the inquiry pedagogy, school culture and the definition of success at our kura, they write:

“ERO saw that from the time they started school until they left at the end of Year 8, children were engaged in learning that motivated them because it linked to their homes and communities and to national and world events and issues. Learning was more than a pen-and-paper or information technology exercise; it touched the heart as well as the head. Many of the outcomes of this learning were visible in the environment, where the outcomes were helping improve the lives of the children and those in their communities. Although the innovative curriculum has been a feature of the school for some years, the leaders have worked hard to transform a culture and learning environment not benefiting children into the vibrant and exciting place we saw during our visit. Currently, the proportion of children achieving success in reading, writing and mathematics is greater in Year 8 than at any other level.” pg 85

Inquiry was also seen as an effective way to keep ākonga engaged and achieving in ERO’s 2018 report Keeping Children Engaged and Achieving Through Rich Curriculum Inquiries. Here they outline what inquiry looks like in practice and how it works to keep students engaged in their learning across the curriculum.

“When ERO met with a group of parents, they told us they believed the reason children continued to improve their achievement levels while at the school was likely to be because of the interesting inquiry topics.” pg 40

At Sylvia Park School, we know that our students are achieving through thorough evidence-based assessment. Literacy and numeracy are integrated with and supported by our pakirehua learning to maximise engagement and opportunities for real life application of experiences and knowledge.

In this achievement data from 2020 we can see how this approach leads to higher levels of achievement across all areas.