Key Takeaways
- Māngere College has been appointed a limited statutory manager (LSM) to oversee the school’s board due to poor academic performance.
- The school’s class attendance, pass rates, and maths and literacy levels are below par, according to an October report.
- The LSM will support the board’s focus on student learning, wellbeing, achievement, and progress.
- The school has strong cultural programmes, with a focus on valuing and celebrating students’ cultural backgrounds and home languages.
- The intervention is one of nine types under the Education and Training Act 2020, and the school will typically pay for the intervention.
Introduction to the Intervention
The Ministry of Education has appointed a limited statutory manager (LSM) to oversee the board of Māngere College, a co-educational state secondary school in Auckland. This decision was made due to the school’s poor academic performance, including low class attendance, pass rates, and maths and literacy levels. The LSM, Rosie Solomon, was appointed on November 11, 2025, and will support the board’s focus on student learning, wellbeing, achievement, and progress. The board will remain in place, but the LSM will take on specific governance powers, including overseeing policies, curriculum, student learning, and wellbeing.
The School’s Academic Struggles
Māngere College has been struggling academically, with fewer than 33% of students passing NCEA level 1 and gaining University Entrance in 2024. Additionally, fewer than 50% of students were attending school regularly, which is below the government’s target of 80%. The school’s maths and literacy levels are also a concern, with a majority of Year 9 and 10 students performing below curriculum expectations. The Education Review Office (ERO) report highlighted the need for improvement in teaching quality, with curriculum planning only "beginning" at the school and the use of achievement data to guide improvement being "limited".
Leadership Turnover and Challenges
The school has faced significant leadership turnover in recent years, with three senior leaders appointed in 12 months. This includes a new principal arriving in Term 2 of 2024, followed by a new deputy principal in Term 4, and another new deputy at the start of 2025. This turnover has likely contributed to the school’s academic struggles, and the ERO report noted that teachers are only "beginning" to use evidence-based teaching strategies adapted to learner needs. The report also warned that failure to meet the deadlines for improvement could result in further intervention.
The Role of the Limited Statutory Manager
The LSM will play a crucial role in supporting the board and principal to improve the school’s academic performance. The LSM will oversee the board’s policies, curriculum, student learning, and wellbeing, and will work with the principal to develop a cohesive plan to improve teaching quality and student achievement. The LSM will also ensure that the school is meeting its deadlines for improvement, including identifying barriers to teaching quality and developing an attendance plan within three months, and finalizing a plan to improve teaching within six months.
The School’s Cultural Strengths
Despite its academic struggles, Māngere College has strong cultural programmes, with a focus on valuing and celebrating students’ cultural backgrounds and home languages. The ERO report noted that the school’s cultural background is "valued and celebrated", and that there is a "strong focus" on home languages, including te reo Māori. This is a positive aspect of the school, and the LSM will likely work to build on these strengths while addressing the school’s academic weaknesses.
The Intervention Process
The appointment of an LSM is one of nine intervention types under the Education and Training Act 2020, ranging from information requests to replacing a board with a commissioner. Schools typically pay for interventions, according to ministry policy. The intervention will be reviewed at least annually, and will remain in place until the recommendations and objectives are met. The ministry will work with the school to ensure that the intervention is effective and that the school is making progress towards its goals.
Conclusion
The appointment of a limited statutory manager to Māngere College is a significant step towards addressing the school’s academic struggles. The LSM will work with the board and principal to improve teaching quality, student achievement, and attendance, while building on the school’s cultural strengths. The intervention is a positive step towards ensuring that all students at Māngere College receive a high-quality education and are well-prepared for their future.
