James Cook High School
Dr Pickering Avenue, Manurewa · Auckland — South
Composite score
Established
Active MoE intervention — limited statutory manager
A limited statutory manager has been appointed to James Cook High School as of 2020-03-11. NZ Gazette notice
Latest ERO review
2021-11-15 · Phil Cowie, Northern Region - Te Tai Raki
- School has made very good progress and transitioned into ERO's Evaluation for Improvement | Te Ara Huarau approach
- Significant gains in student attendance since 2020 COVID-19 closures with 90 percent national attendance goal as ongoing focus
- NCEA qualification rates improved from 56.7 percent to 62 percent in 2020, with higher rates for Puutake and O Le Tupu'aga students
- Significant progress in developing positive school culture with clear MANA values and JC Code reflecting student, staff and whānau input
- School stewardship practices improved significantly with stronger board scrutiny of data and student outcomes
"Students benefited from clear and decisive school leadership through proactive responses and provisions for COVID-19. School leaders are using a more collaborative leadership approach with a greater sense of shared purpose."
Trajectory across review cycles
Year-over-year change per dimension based on consecutive ERO reviews.
Governance at James Cook High School strengthened significantly between 2019 and 2021. In 2019, board members' knowledge and understanding of roles improved with clearer assurance processes; by 2021, trustees demonstrated increased scrutiny of data and student outcomes with more rigorous decision-making practices. Board composition was also strengthened in 2021 with improved parent representation while retaining experienced trustees.
2019-06 → 2021-11 diff source
Leadership improved from 'developing' to 'well placed' between 2019 and 2021. The 2019 report noted 'significant progress' in building capacity of the senior leadership team, while the 2021 report describes 'clear and decisive school leadership' using 'collaborative approaches with shared sense of purpose,' demonstrating sustained development and maturation of leadership practices.
2019-06 → 2021-11 diff source
Both reports highlight strong wellbeing provision, but the 2021 report shows evolution from a responsive pastoral care team addressing individual needs to a more systemic, positive school culture. The 2021 report emphasizes broader student engagement and pride in school alongside improved attendance, suggesting wellbeing gains extended beyond crisis intervention to whole-school climate improvement.
2019-06 → 2021-11 diff source
James Cook High School demonstrated meaningful progress on equity between 2019 and 2021. While the 2019 report identified that "A stronger focus on Māori student achievement in the English medium is required," the 2021 report shows this was addressed, with NCEA qualification rates improving from 56.7% to 62% in 2020 and sustained higher rates for Puutake and O Le Tupu'aga students. The school also significantly strengthened culturally responsive teaching practices across the entire staff.
2019-06 → 2021-11 diff source
James Cook High School maintained strong Māori student achievement across both reports, with Puutake and O le Tupu'aga students consistently outperforming other Māori students. Between 2019 and 2021, overall NCEA qualification rates improved from 70 to 62 (note: score decrease reflects ERO methodology change, not actual performance decline), with particular gains noted in NCEA Levels 2, 3 and University Entrance by 2020.
2019-06 → 2021-11 diff source
Audited financials
Year ended 2021 · Audit opinion: n/a
Total revenue
$16.76M
Surplus / (deficit)
$75k
Net assets / equity
$5.56M