The board also governs the Timaru Technology Education Centre that caters for about 800 students from 16 client schools. The centre manager and teachers provide high quality programmes in technology in a purpose-built, well resourced facility.

All students follow a consistent design process as they work out solutions to real-life problems using a range of materials and tools.

The teachers plan units carefully and monitor students' progress and effort. The next steps for the manager and teachers are to extend teaching strategies and further develop the way they evaluate the quality of the programmes.

Self review is well developed at the school. All teachers are involved in reflective practice and action research that is focused on improving learning for students. They confidently presented ERO with evidence that they had gathered on the impact of their work. It is evident that teachers are showing leadership is a wide range of school activities.

The board makes it clear that it expects all reports to include analysis of evidence from a range of sources and recommendations for next steps to improve outcomes for students.

Students are frequently asked their opinions about the learning, safety and other aspects of school life and their views are acted upon.

The board and teachers are using internal and external evaluation very well to ensure that they are bringing about ongoing improvements that benefit students.

The teaching of reading has improved significantly since the 2006 ERO review. During this review, the principal and staff identified the school's next steps using the school's own knowledge as well as ERO's findings.