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Alternative education
We all want children to have a decent education to prepare them for life ahead. However choosing the right school can be a challenge, particularly with so many different alternatives available. Mainstream education doesn’t suit everyone - some children have different needs while others learn better using more unconventional methods. New Zealand has a wide range of schools offering different approaches to teaching and learning.
Among the more famous teaching approaches are the Montessori philosophies and the Rudolf Steiner (or Waldorf) method.
Montessori schools
The Montessori philosophy is based around the idea that children develop and think differently than adults. Developed by Dr Maria Montessori, the theory is that children are not merely adults in small bodies. The method was developed from observations of young children from which a set of universal characteristics of children was created for each level of development. As an educational approach, the Montessori method focuses on the individuality of each child in respect of their needs or talents, as opposed to the needs of the class as a whole. A goal is to help the child maintain their natural joy of learning.
The Montessori Association of New Zealand web site offers more information about the teaching approach, a history of Montessori in New Zealand and links to Montessori schools around the country.
Rudolf Steiner or Waldorf Schools
New Zealand has 10 Rudolf Steiner Waldorf schools or school initiatives and more than 35 Waldorf kindergarten groups. Waldorf education was founded in the early 20th Century out of the ideas of Austrian philosopher, literary scholar, educator, artist, playwright, social thinker, and esotericist Rudolf Steiner and has been developed through the research and work of Waldorf pedagogues since. Waldorf schools aim to “educate the whole child - head, heart, and hands” - the underlying philosophy is based on the principle that education should support the development of the child in its physical, soul and spiritual growth towards a becoming a free and responsible adult. Rudolf Steiner argued that this growth occurs in three main stages covering the years from 0 to 21, each having its own learning requirements: The Anthroposophical Society in New Zealand has a comprehensive website with more information about Rudolf Steiner and his teaching methods.
Four Avenues Alternative School Christchurch, 1975-1993
A school with no uniforms, and where self-directed learning was encouraged, Four Avenues Alternative School was established in 1975 as a state-run independent part of Hagley High School (later Hagley Community College).
The aim was to allow students to determine what they learned and then find the people and resources to teach them, rather than follow tightly structured curriculum.
Opened by Marian Hobbs, later a politician and MP, and husband Walter Logeman, the school was state funded and modelled on the Parkway program in the United States.
The school was first closed in 1983, but with the change of government in 1984 it received new funding and continued until an Education Review Office report recommended closure in 1993.
The library copy of a social history of the school can be found on our web site.
Other schools
In addition to these teaching approaches, there are numerous schools around New Zealand that either have their own special character or teach according to their own values, while still meeting the New Zealand Curriculum standards.
The Ministry of Education offers a Guide to Schooling on its website that offers information on the different types of education available in New Zealand. It divides education providers in nine categories
- State schools - they offer lessons based on the New Zealand Curriculum.
- Kura kaupapa Māori - state schools where the teaching is in the Māori language and is based on Māori culture and values.
- Special schools - state schools that provide education for students with special education needs.
- Integrated schools - schools that used to be private and have now become part of the state system. They teach the New Zealand Curriculum but keep their own special character (usually a philosophical or religious belief) as part of their school programme.
- Designated Character schools - state schools that teach the New Zealand Curriculum but have been allowed to develop their own set of aims, purposes and objectives to reflect their own particular values.
- Independent (or private) schools - these are governed by their own independent boards but must meet certain standards in order to be registered.
- Boarding schools - these may either be independent or part of a state-funded school.
- The Correspondence School (TCS) provides distance learning for more than 18,000 students across New Zealand.
- Home-based schooling is available for parents and caregivers who want to educate their children at home. Parents and caregivers need to get approval to do so from the Ministry of Education and must educate their children to the standard they would receive at a registered school.
School at home
Home schooling is another popular and practical choice in New Zealand parents and caregivers need to get approval to do so from the Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Education estimates that home schooling accounts for about 1% of total school enrolments and children must be educated to the standard they would receive at a registered school. Home schooling parents and caregivers are given an annual grant to help with the cost of learning materials and can choose to purchase teaching services from The Correspondence School.
We recommend - Alternative Learning Resources
Our online resources:
The Christchurch City Libraries’ website offers a comprehensive section on learning. As part of it, it offers parents information and links on starting school and how to choose the right school for their children.
Read our articles on:
Our Internet Gateway recommends:
The Education section provides links to various institutions around New Zealand including the:
- Ministry of Education
- Educational organisations, businesses and groups in Christchurch and Canterbury from localeye.
- The New Zealand Association of Private Education Providers
Other web resources:
NZS.com has a large entry on alternative education in New Zealand and lists three pages of schools and education providers.
Independent Schools of New Zealand is an umbrella organisation for 44 independent schools in New Zealand. In Canterbury, they include Christ’s College, Medbury School, Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, Selwyn House School, St Andrew’s College, St Margaret’s College, St Michael’s Church School, Cathedral Grammar School and Waihi School.
