Special purpose units (activity centres, teen parent units, other)
This guidance supports schools to understand how special purpose units are resourced.
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Inform
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Some school boards operate units that have been set up for specific purposes, such as teen parent units and activity centres.
Special purpose units are staffed according to a special agreement, usually with specific approval of either the Ministry, or the Minister of Education.
- Teen parent unit (secondary/composite schools only)
- Activity centre (secondary/composite schools only)
- Alternative education (secondary/composite schools only)
- Other official special purpose unit by ministerial agreement
- Other official special purpose unit by board decision
Teen parent unit (secondary/composite schools only)
Establishment
By agreement of Minister of Education.
Unique Ministry number
Yes
Enrolment
For students unable to learn in the mainstream educational system because of pregnancy and child rearing responsibilities. They must be within age range to receive free education when first enrolled with the class, so regular and regular adult students. This is up to age 19 and ending on 1 January after their nineteenth birthday.
Where space permits, returning adult students may attend but must be enrolled on the host school’s roll.
March and July roll returns
Eligible students up to a maximum on the supplementary form – not on the host school’s roll. Other attendees – returning adults and/or any other students above maximum roll only on host school’s roll.
Roll used for resourcing
Approved maximum roll, subject to annual monitoring. Actual roll if well below maximum or there are concerns about validity.
Staffing entitlement
One full-time teacher equivalent (FTTE) teacher and one management unit per 10 students.
Staffing notification
Identified in host school's entitlement as attached unit.
As for activity centre, at decile 1A.
Funding information
Operational funding information available through teen parent unit Pourato login. Relief teacher funding is included in host school's entitlement.
No other resourcing.
Body responsible for governance, employment, reporting, resourcing, receiving payments
School board of host school.
Enquiries
General information
Local Ministry offices.
Rolls
Data Collection Unit (see supplementary roll return form).
Resourcing
Resourcing Division contact centre:
Phone: +64 4 463 8383
Useful resources
Education Gazette, Notices: Board's Off-site Class or Use of Alternative Provider
Education Gazette 2 April 2001 – Education Gazette(external link)
Education Circular 2004/1: Teen Parent Units (TPUs) attached to secondary schools
Activity centres (secondary/composite schools only)
Establishment
By agreement of Minister of Education – no more to be established.
Unique Ministry number
Yes
Enrolment
Consult the director of the individual centre about enrolment policy.
March and July roll returns
On the roll of the former school or host school.
Roll used for resourcing
Notional roll of 20:10 in Year 9–10, and 10 in Year 11–15.
Staffing entitlement
A full-time director with 2 salary units, plus a full-time base scale teaching position.
Staffing notification
Identified in host school's entitlement as attached unit.
Operational funding entitlement
Base funding at activity centre rate, decile-related at decile 1A, other components depend on roll/property/location.
Funding information
Operational funding information available through activity centre Pourato login. Relief teacher funding is included in host school's entitlement.
No other resourcing.
Body responsible for governance, employment, reporting, resourcing, receiving payments
School board of host school.
Enquiries
General information
Local Ministry offices.
Rolls
Data Collection Unit (see roll return form).
Resourcing
Resourcing Division contact centre:
Phone: 04 463 8383
Useful resources
Education Gazette 2 April 2001, Notices: Board's Off-site Class or Use of Alternative Provider
Education Gazette 2 April 2001(external link)
Alternative education (secondary/composite schools only)
Establishment
Lead school in consortium signs a memorandum of agreement with Ministry of Education, plus a contract with the provider.
Unique Ministry number
No.
Enrolment
Schools have an annual allocation for students aged 13–15 who are alienated from school. Students verified by the Ministry of Education.
March and July roll returns
Separate column provided in returns. Enter on return of the school where the student is enrolled.
Roll used for resourcing
Number of approved students.
Staffing entitlement
N/A – not included in staffing entitlement.
Staffing notification
N/A
Operational funding entitlement
N/A – not included in operational funding entitlement.
Funding information
N/A
Other resourcing
Funded for each student place through separate contract.
Body responsible for governance, employment, reporting, resourcing, receiving payments
School board of responsible school.
Enquiries
General information
Local Ministry office.
Rolls
Data Collection Unit (see roll return form).
Resourcing
Early Childhood and Regional Education.
Useful resources
Education Gazette 2 April 2001, Notices: Board's Off-site Class or Use of Alternative Provider
Education Gazette 2 April 2001 – Gazette(external link)
Other official special purpose unit by ministerial agreement
Establishment
By agreement of Minister/Ministry of Education.
Unique Ministry number
Not usually.
Enrolment
Depends on agreement; usually at discretion of the board of trustees.
March and July roll returns
On roll of host school.
Roll used for resourcing
Depends on agreement – actual or notional roll.
Staffing entitlement
Depends on agreement.
Staff notification
Identified in host school's entitlement.
Operational funding entitlement
Depends on agreement.
Funding information
Normally total appears on host school's instalment notices. Separate calculation may be sent.
Other resourcing
N/A
Body responsible for governance, employment, reporting, resourcing, receiving payments
School board of host school.
Enquiries
General information
Local Ministry offices.
Rolls
Data Collection Unit: School roll return forms (March 2024) – Education Counts(external link)
Resourcing
Resourcing Division contact centre:
Phone: 04 463 8383
Useful resources
Education Gazette 2 April 2001, Notices: Board's Off-site Class or Use of Alternative Provider
Education Gazette 2 April 2001(external link)
Other official special purpose unit by board decision
Establishment
By decision of a school board, but see Education Gazette notice of 2 April 2001. Resourcing is provided to the school that the student is enrolled at.
Unique Ministry number
No.
Enrolment
At boards' discretion, but the board is responsible for the students. Resourcing is provided to the school where the student is enrolled.
March and July roll returns
Included in host school roll.
Roll used for resourcing
No separate roll.
Staffing entitlement
Part of host school's entitlement.
Staffing notification
No separate notification.
Operational funding entitlement
Part of host school's entitlement.
Funding information
No separate notification.
Other resourcing
N/A
Body responsible for governance, employment, reporting, resourcing, receiving payments
School board of host school.
Enquiries
General information
Local Ministry offices.
Rolls
N/A
Resourcing
N/A
Useful resources
Education Gazette 2 April 2001, Notices: Board's Off-site Class or Use of Alternative Provider
Education Gazette 2 April 2001 – Gazette(external link)
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