Takaro School
Brighton Crescent, Palmerston North · Taranaki & Manawatū
See all schools in Palmerston North →
Composite score
Concern
Below median
Rank #2,343 of scored NZ schools
In summary
ERO's 2018 review found that most students achieved well in reading, but less than half achieved well in writing and mathematics, with gender disparities evident. Rumaki Māori students showed similar achievement gaps across te reo subjects. The school demonstrated strengths in collaborative leadership, inclusive learning environments, and a culturally responsive curriculum, with some at-risk students making accelerated progress through improved systems.
Best suited for
Students aged 5-11 in Palmerston North looking for a state-funded setting.
Is Takaro School a good school?
Takaro School scores 33/100 on the SchoolsNearMe composite — a weighted average of 5 axes (academic, outcomes, retention, wellbeing, trajectory). Below median nationally. The full breakdown is below; every input links to its source.
Strengths from the latest ERO report
- A culture of collaboration among leaders, trustees and teachers, that maintains high expectations for teaching and learning throughout the school
- An inclusive learning environment, that responds to students' needs, promotes and supports their wellbeing and learning success
- A curriculum that is responsive to students' language, culture and identities and the local context
Summary derived from ERO reports + audited financials + MoE records. Every claim links to its source — see data transparency at the bottom of this page.
Score breakdown
6 axes, each scored 0–100 on a national absolute scale. As at 2025.
standdowns 113.9/1k · suspensions 0.0/1k · exclusions 0.0/1k · below band median (n=539) · why? ▼ hide
-13.8% roll over 5yr (2020→2025) · below band median (n=524) · why? ▼ hide
62/100 from ERO review 2018-02 · bottom quartile of band (n=544) · why? ▼ hide
⚠ Insufficient EQI-band peers (n<10) to compute per-axis percentile context. The score above is absolute; treat it as a single-school read rather than a peer comparison.
Real ERO composite (from the latest review): 62/100.
Latest ERO review
2018-02-15 · Alan Wynyard, Te Tai Pokapū - Central Region
- Majority of students achieving well in reading, but less than half achieving well in writing and mathematics with clear disparity between boys and girls
- Rumaki Māori students show less than half achieving well in pangarau, pānui, korero, and tuhituhi with gender disparities
- Some students identified as at risk in 2017 have made accelerated progress through developing systems and processes
- School has effective processes for identifying at-risk students and providing additional learning support in a caring, inclusive environment
- Board of trustees requires capability development in their stewardship roles and understanding of effective internal evaluation
"In 2016, the school reported that the majority of students are achieving well in reading. In writing and mathematics less than half of all students are achieving well."
Composite score across reviews
2 ERO reviews on file, 2014–2018. Click a point to read that review.
Audited financials
Year ended 2022 · Audit opinion: unmodified
Total revenue
$3.33M
Surplus / (deficit)
+$148k
Net assets / equity
$0.80M
Discipline (age-standardised, per 1,000 students)
Stand-down = sent home temporarily. Suspension = formal investigation. Exclusion = removed from school. National averages shown for comparison.
Stand-downs · 2024
113.9
15 this year · NZ avg ~37
Suspensions · 2024
0.0
· NZ avg ~5
Exclusions · 2024
0.0
· NZ avg ~1.5
Government funding
Crown funding only (school operations + teacher salaries + property). Excludes locally-raised funds, international fees and trading income — those are in the audited financial report above.
Total Crown funding · 2022
$2.75M
Per-student funding · 2022
$12,494
2018
$1.7M
2019
$2.0M
2020
$2.5M
2021
$3.0M
2022
$2.7M
Roll by year level
July 2025 roll return.
- Year 01 26
- Year 02 25
- Year 03 26
- Year 04 37
- Year 05 28
- Year 06 33
- Year 07 21
- Year 08 23
Roll by ethnicity
Share of total roll. Students who identify with multiple ethnicities are counted once.
- Māori 65.9%
- Pacific 21.4%
- European/Pākehā 17.3%
- Asian 15.5%
- Other / MELAA 4.5%
Location
Brighton Crescent, Palmerston North. Nearby schools marked in grey.
Map tiles © OpenStreetMap, © CARTO
Schools nearby
Within 15km, sorted by distance. Add any to compare with Takaro School.
Monrad - Te Kura Waenga o Tirohanga
Intermediate · 0.4km · 383 roll
59
+26 vs this
Our Lady of Lourdes School (P North)
Contributing · 0.5km · 161 roll
82
+49 vs this
Te Kura o Wairau
Contributing · 0.9km · 178 roll
30
-3 vs this
West End School (P North)
Contributing · 1.4km · 364 roll
56
+23 vs this
Awapuni School (P North)
Contributing · 1.4km · 112 roll
62
+29 vs this
Palmerston North Adventist Christian School
Contributing · 1.5km · 105 roll
55
+22 vs this
Frequently asked
Is Takaro School a good school?
Takaro School scores 33/100 on the SchoolsNearMe composite — a weighted average of 5 axes (academic, outcomes, retention, wellbeing, trajectory). Below median nationally. The full breakdown is below; every input links to its source.
What does the latest ERO review say?
ERO's 2018-02 review identified 5 key findings. Majority of students achieving well in reading, but less than half achieving well in writing and mathematics with clear disparity between boys and girls
How do I enrol my child at Takaro School?
Contact the school directly on 06-3581563, email office@takaro.school.nz, or visit www.takaro.school.nz. For state schools, check your home address against the school's enrolment zone — some schools are in-zone-only.
What are the fees?
Takaro School is a state school. There is no tuition fee for domestic students; voluntary donations may be requested.
What is the roll size?
Takaro School has 220 students, with an EQI of 534 (higher socio-economic need).
When was the school last reviewed by ERO?
The Education Review Office last reviewed Takaro School in 2018-02, signed by Alan Wynyard. 2 ERO reports are on file in our archive.
Data transparency
Every fact on this page links to its source. We never publish a claim without provenance — read our methodology for the full rules.
Sourced from
- ero.govt.nz
- web.archive.org
- schoolsdata.co.nz
- crimestats.co.nz