How we assess school managers#

When we assess you, we take into account the matters outlined in clause 6 of Schedule 7 of the Education and Training Act. You should read this so you know what we will be considering.

Education and Training Act 2020: Managers to be fit and proper persons – New Zealand Legislation

You must be re-assessed every 3 years.

Who must be assessed#

Every manager of a private school must be assessed as fit and proper.

If a private school is managed by a society or trust board, all members of the board must be assessed. If it is run by a company, all directors must be assessed.

If managers change, your school must let us know. Any new manager must be assessed as fit and proper.

How to apply to be assessed#

Your application to be assessed as fit and proper  is made online. Once you submit an application, we will assess the information you have provided and then notify you of the outcome.

What you need to submit an application#

To submit a fit and proper person application, you need an Education Sector Logon (ESL). If you do not have a logon, you can request this from the delegated authoriser (DA) for ESL in your school. 

If you do not know who your DA is, you can request this information by calling the Education Service Desk.

Freephone (NZ only): 0800 422 599

See more information about ESL logons.

Education Sector Logon – Applications and Online Systems

As part of your application, you must submit:

• a Criminal Record Check issued by the Ministry of Justice within 3 months prior to the date you submit your application, or
• your teacher registration number if you are a registered teacher, and
• a Statutory Declaration completed no more than 3 months before the date you submit your application. 

Download a Statutory Declaration form.

You can request a Criminal Record Check free of charge from the Ministry of Justice.

Get your own criminal record – New Zealand Ministry of Justice

Start the assessment#

Once you have an ESL user account and the documents outlined above, you are ready to submit your application. 

The guidance below sets out all you need to know about the fit and proper person assessment and provides step-by-step instructions for submitting an application.