Tauranga Intermediate is a large urban school catering for Years 7 and 8 students. It draws its students from a wide demographic area. At the time of this review in August 2009 it had a roll of 1265, including 52 international students. Thirty two percent of the school roll identify as being M?ori.

Students have access to a well-maintained environment that includes a range of up-to-date facilities such as science laboratories, a technology suite, an extensive and well-resourced library, a gymnasium and synthetic courts. A wharekai is currently under construction alongside the wharenui.

The school sets high learning and behaviour expectations for its students. ERO observed high levels of student engagement in the classrooms. Students expressed a strong sense of belonging and pride in their school. Achievement information in literacy and numeracy shows most students are achieving at or above nationally expected levels.

The experienced and knowledgeable principal provides strong leadership for the school community. He has a commitment to building teacher capability to enhance student learning across the school. With support from the senior leadership team, he is focused on addressing the school’s priorities in literacy and numeracy, as well as promoting a wide range of educational opportunities for students.

An experienced board of trustees continues to provide highly effective governance for the school. Trustees have a strategic commitment to providing extensive learning resources including information and communication technologies (ICT) equipment and tools. They are actively supportive of the principal in his endeavours to raise student achievement.

Innovations such as specialist literacy and numeracy teachers, employment of a youth mentor and a boys only class are instrumental in raising student achievement and supporting the emotional wellbeing of students. Extensive pastoral care systems under the oversight of the deputy principal and the special education needs coordinator (SENCO) are contributing to high levels of student engagement. The syndicate structure is a strong feature of the school’s culture and fosters a sense of student belonging to a smaller group, within a large school community. It also enables teachers to get to know students and their families well and contributes to the positive relationships that students and parents enjoy at the school.

Students are able to experience and pursue a wide range of educational interests and opportunities. They have access to specialist teachers in technology, visual arts, music, science, information and communication technologies (ICT) and education outside the classroom. Many teachers are committed to providing extra curricular learning opportunities for students. In addition, the school owns and operates an outdoor education facility that enables students to be challenged and supported in the development of essential life skills. This broad range of educational opportunities contributes to the school’s mission to develop students as confident, competent and compassionate learners.