Westown School
Sanders Avenue, New Plymouth · Taranaki & Manawatū
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Composite score
Developing
Below median
Rank #1,886 of scored NZ schools
Active MoE intervention — limited statutory manager
A limited statutory manager has been appointed to Westown School as of 2019-09-30. NZ Gazette notice
In summary
Westown School has shown upward improvement trajectories across reading, writing and mathematics, with most students achieving at or above expectation in mathematics and a large majority in literacy as of 2019. The school's strengths include inclusive and responsive practices that support student wellbeing, collaborative relationships with whānau and community, and integration of KAHA values throughout teaching and learning. The school is currently under limited statutory manager intervention from the Ministry of Education.
Best suited for
Students in New Plymouth looking for a state-funded setting.
Is Westown School a good school?
Westown School is currently under MoE intervention — a limited statutory manager has been appointed. The school's day-to-day teaching continues; the intervention addresses governance or operational concerns identified by the Ministry. Read the NZ Gazette notice for details.
Strengths from the latest ERO report
- Practices that are inclusive and responsive to student needs, promote wellbeing and support learning progress and success
- Relationships between leadership, teachers, whānau and community that are collaborative and support and enhance students' learning and wellbeing
- KAHA values explicitly integrated into teaching and learning programmes, focusing on mutual respect and wellbeing
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 74.7/1k · suspensions 35.3/1k · exclusions 34.4/1k · bottom 10% of band (n=539) · why? ▼ hide
+37.5% roll over 5yr (2020→2025) · top quartile of band (n=524) · why? ▼ hide
70/100 from ERO review 2020-02 · below band median (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): 70/100.
Latest ERO review
2020-02-14 · Phillip Cowie, Central Region
- Data shows upward trajectory of improvement for most groups across reading, writing and mathematics over the past two years
- At the end of 2018, most children achieved at or above expectation in mathematics, and a large majority in literacy
- In 2019, almost half of students at risk of underachievement in mathematics have accelerated progress closer to expectation, with 20% now reaching expectation
- School has positive tone with respectful relationships and collaborative, collegial teachers and leaders
- ERO identified non-compliance regarding health curriculum consultation requirements under Section 60B Education Act 1989
"Leadership focuses on ensuring school-wide practices and processes enhance learner wellbeing, promote students' culture, language and identity and enable them to learn and achieve at the appropriate level."
Composite score across reviews
2 ERO reviews on file, 2017–2020. Click a point to read that review.
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
74.7
4 this year · NZ avg ~37
Suspensions · 2024
35.3
1 this year · NZ avg ~5
Exclusions · 2024
34.4
1 this year · 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
$1.18M
Per-student funding · 2022
$7,072
2018
$1.1M
2019
$1.0M
2020
$1.0M
2021
$1.0M
2022
$1.2M
Roll by year level
July 2025 roll return.
- Year 01 30
- Year 02 30
- Year 03 25
- Year 04 19
- Year 05 22
- Year 06 23
- Year 07 5
Roll by ethnicity
Share of total roll. Students who identify with multiple ethnicities are counted once.
- European/Pākehā 59.9%
- Māori 48.5%
- Pacific 14.4%
- Asian 13.8%
- Other / MELAA 2.4%
Location
Sanders Avenue, New Plymouth. Nearby schools marked in grey.
Map tiles © OpenStreetMap, © CARTO
Schools nearby
Within 15km, sorted by distance. Add any to compare with Westown School.
Woodleigh School
Contributing · 1km · 445 roll
77
+25 vs this
Francis Douglas Memorial College
Secondary (Year 7-15) · 1.3km · 732 roll
83
+31 vs this
Devon Intermediate
Intermediate · 1.3km · 340 roll
31
-21 vs this
West End Te Kura O Morere
Contributing · 1.3km · 268 roll
62
+10 vs this
Vogeltown School
Contributing · 1.5km · 371 roll
78
+26 vs this
St Joseph's School (New Plymouth)
Contributing · 1.5km · 297 roll
67
+15 vs this
Frequently asked
Is Westown School a good school?
Westown School is currently under MoE intervention — a limited statutory manager has been appointed. The school's day-to-day teaching continues; the intervention addresses governance or operational concerns identified by the Ministry. Read the NZ Gazette notice for details.
What does the latest ERO review say?
ERO's 2020-02 review identified 5 key findings. Data shows upward trajectory of improvement for most groups across reading, writing and mathematics over the past two years
How do I enrol my child at Westown School?
Contact the school directly on 06-7534939, email principal@westown.school.nz, or visit www.westown.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?
Westown School is a state school. There is no tuition fee for domestic students; voluntary donations may be requested.
What is the roll size?
Westown School has 167 students, with an EQI of 533 (higher socio-economic need).
When was the school last reviewed by ERO?
The Education Review Office last reviewed Westown School in 2020-02, signed by Phillip Cowie. 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
- gazette.govt.nz
- schoolsdata.co.nz
- crimestats.co.nz