A Vision for a Gobind Sarvar Charter School in Papamoa — Years 1–8

Charter schools are public schools, but instead of a school board, they are operated by a sponsor – an organisation that has signed a contract with the Crown to operate the school. A sponsor can be an individual or an organisation such as a not-for-profit group, iwi, a business or a school board that has converted to a charitable trust. 

Charter schools have considerable flexibility around teaching, curriculum, governance, hours and days of operation. They can decide how to use their funding and can set their own curriculum. In exchange for this greater autonomy, charter schools are accountable for delivering outcomes via their contract.

Charter Schools  are publicly funded schools that operate under a performance contract with the Crown. They have:

• Autonomy over curriculum, teaching models, staffing, and timetabling
• Responsibility to meet clear performance targets for attendance, achievement, and finances
• Accountability to the Charter School Authorisation Board and Education Review Office (ERO)

Our performance will be measured against nationally benchmarked outcomes as defined in the Charter School Performance Plan:

• Attendance: Target of 80%+ regular attendance
• Achievement (Years 3–10): 80%+ of students at or above expected levels in Reading, Writing, and Maths

Charter schools have considerable flexibility around teaching and curriculum as long as they deliver to their contracted outcomes. Charter schools are able to use the same curriculum as state schools. However, as with private schools, they can use their own curriculum.

Charter schools are required to provide internationally recognised qualifications such as NCEA, the International Baccalaureate, Cambridge exams, and qualifications offered by Australian schools, for example.

Charter schools have more employment flexibility than state schools. The sponsor employs all staff and negotiates salary levels and employment conditions.

At least 75 percent of teaching staff at a Charter School must hold a current practising certificate. The remainder of teaching staff must be people who hold a Limited Authority to Teach.

Charter schools in Aotearoa New Zealand operate under a partnership model between the Crown and an approved sponsor. The sponsor is responsible for governance through its Board, which must demonstrate competence, financial prudence, and alignment with the school’s stated special character and educational mission. Unlike state or integrated schools, charter school boards are appointed by the sponsor rather than elected by parents, giving sponsors direct accountability for school performance. Boards are expected to uphold strong governance practices, including transparent decision-making, effective risk management, and compliance with all statutory and contractual obligations set by the Charter School Agency (CSA).

Accountability is primarily ensured through the Performance Management Framework (PMF), which sets out clear thresholds for student achievement, attendance, financial viability, and organisational health. Schools are required to provide regular reporting to the CSA, demonstrating progress against these measures. In addition, the Ministry of Education and the Education Review Office may review performance to safeguard quality and protect the public investment. This framework ensures that while charter schools enjoy greater flexibility in curriculum delivery, staffing, and property use, they remain fully accountable for educational outcomes, financial stewardship, and the wellbeing of their students and communities.