Strategic goals and plan
Charter or strategic goals
The charter goals – often referred to as the strategic goals – are long-term goals (lasting 3–5 years) that state the school's priorities for development and for improving teaching and learning. They must address the National Education Priorities stated in the National Administration Guidelines (NAGs), as well as the identified needs of the school's students.
Requirements
The Ministry requires that schools focus their charter goals on NAG 1 and prioritises the following:
- literacy
- numeracy
- Māori:
– plans for improving outcomes for Māori students
– consultation with Māori parents/community
– addressing a Māori whānau request for instruction in te reo and/or tikanga Māori
- Pasifika:
- identifying Pasifika as a group
- plans for improved outcomes for Pasifika students
- consultation with Pasifika parents/community
- students who are not achieving or are at risk of not achieving, and those with special needs, including gifted and talented
- regular, quality physical activity for year 1–6 students
- career guidance for years 7 and above.
Strategic/charter goals will also take into account factors such as:
- learning resources
- professional development
- development of teaching practices
- staffing needs
- school organisation
- policy priorities and infrastructure needs (for example, ICT and building development).
Examples of goal statements
To improve teaching, learning, and achievement in literacy and numeracy, with particular focus on developing 'critical' numeracy and literacy
To enhance children's thinking skills and problem-solving abilities through high-quality extension and enrichment programmes.
To identify students at risk and put in place programmes to support their learning and social wellbeing.
In consultation with whānau of Māori students, develop and resource programmes to meet their educational needs, including provision of instruction in te reo Māori for those parents who request it.
It is not expected that the school will work on all of its charter/strategic goals at the same time. Schools would decide, in consultation with the board and staff, which goals to focus on each year. It is better for the school to concentrate its effort and resources on a few prioritised goals and pursue them in depth, than to spread its effort thinly and attempt to achieve too many goals in any one year.
With its 3–5-year timeframe, the strategic plan can guide this process of prioritising and selecting goals. (Note: The Ministry also requires strategic and annual planning and reporting to be focused on NAG 1.)
Reflection
- How do the charter goals address the National Education Priorities and specifically address NAG 1?
- What is the link between the mission, values, and vision of the charter and the identified needs of the school's students?
- Do the charter/strategic goals reflect the needs of the students in the school? How do you know?
- Is the number of goals manageable?
Action
Do you have evidence of what the needs of the students in the school are? If not, a key charter/strategic goal would be to develop systems to provide this evidence.
With the staff and board of trustees, review the charter/strategic goals to ensure they address the needs of the students.
Strategic plan
The strategic plan takes the charter goals and identifies and prioritises, in broad terms, actions to be taken to achieve them over a 3–5-year timeframe. The strategic plan forms the basis for the annual plan and budget.
The development of the strategic plan is a core responsibility of the board of trustees.
The principal will be expected to lead the strategic planning process, to contribute ideas, and to be the key link with the staff and students. It is also the principal's responsibility to work with the board to implement the strategic plan and report on its progress to the board.
A good strategic plan:
- clearly links to and implements the charter/strategic goals
- addresses both the National Education Priorities and the school's priorities
- draws on the present and future capacity of the school to implement (resources, staff, finances, available expertise)
- is a clear guide to action (states what will be done and is not merely a 'wish list')
- is known to the board, staff, and community.
Framework
There are several ways in which a strategic plan can be written. For a possible framework to help with your strategic planning, based on NAG 1, download and print the following resource:
For an example of a strategic plan that uses this framework, download and print this one from Blue Sky School:
Blue Sky (PDF 221 kB)
Blue Sky
Reflection
- Does your school's strategic plan clearly link to and implement the charter/strategic goals?
- Does the strategic plan address both the National Education Priorities and the school's priorities?
- Are the strategies within the present or future capacity of the school to implement (is there sufficient staff, resources, finances, and expertise)?
- Is the strategic plan a clear guide to action?
Board of trustees training
Members of your board of trustees may require some training in fulfilling their strategic planning responsibilities. The New Zealand School Trustees Association (NZSTA) national office coordinates training for boards of trustees.
NZSTA contact details
New Zealand School Trustees Association
PO Box 5123, Wellington
Trusteeship inquiries:
Phone: 0800 STA HELP (0800 782 4357)
Email: admin@nzsta.org.nz
Website: NZSTA Training
