Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about New Zealand Graduate School of Education and its teacher training programmes.
What Sort Of Organisation Is NZGSE?
NZGSE is a Private Training Establishment. Using official language:
New Zealand Graduate School of Education is registered by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority as a Private Training Establishment under the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020 and its subsequent amendments.
This means that NZGSE has gone through a rigorous evaluation by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) to confirm that it has the staff, facilities and quality management system necessary to be a training establishment. Speaking legally, NZGSE is a limited liability company – New Zealand Graduate School Education Limited.
Who Is Behind NZGSE?
NZGSE has no mystery backer and we are not driven by any unusual philosophy. The venture was an initiative of the three original directors - Lois Chick, Kevin Knight and John Langley – to meet a need in teacher education for a high quality alternative to the colleges of education. Lois Chick and Kevin Knight are the only shareholders of New Zealand Graduate School of Education Limited and each person has an equal shareholding.
Is NZGSE’s Teacher Training Programme Approved?
Yes. NZGSE’s Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary) and Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) programmes are fully approved by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. We just waiting on final approval from NZQA ready for a July 2023 start. Once that approval is to hand, the official language will state:
These programmes are approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020, and New Zealand Graduate School of Education is accredited to offer them.
Can I Get Registered As A Teacher With NZGSE’s Qualification?
Yes. NZGSE’s Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary) and Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) teaching have been approved by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand - the organisation that registers teachers.
Can I Get A Student Loan Or Student Allowances If I Do The NZGSE Programme?
NZGSE teacher interns have the same access to the student support provisions – such as Student Loans – as do students training to be teachers at state tertiary providers. See www.studylink.govt.nz for details.
Can Teacher Interns At NZGSE Receive A TeachNZ Scholarship?
Yes. NZGSE teacher interns are eligible to apply for any scholarships that may be offered by TeachNZ.
Will I Get A Teaching Job With A Diploma From NZGSE?
Schools make their own decision about who they will employ. What we can tell you is that graduates from NZGSE have been very successful at winning jobs in Christchurch and around New Zealand. Principals and boards of trustees are impressed by teachers who have strong practical skills and graduates from our programme will have spent two thirds of their training time in schools.
Can I Teach Overseas With A Diploma From NZGSE?
Every country has its own rules about who can teach in its schools. If you want to teach overseas you will need to apply to the relevant department or registration board in the country you wish to teach in. The value of NZQA accreditation is that if an overseas agency contacts NZQA to check out your qualification they will be told that the NZGSE diploma is equivalent to one gained at a New Zealand university college of education. Many graduates from NZGSE have won positions overseas.
Is A Police Check Required By NZGSE?
NZGSE carries out a police check on all successful applicants, and the Teaching Council does a further police check on every person who applies for registration as a teacher. Any person with a criminal conviction will have great difficulty being acceptable to the teaching profession. All enrolments at NZGSE are provisional until we have received and processed the responses from the Police.