Application Process for Charter Schools Officially Opens, Announces David Seymour

“There has already been significant interest from groups and individuals interested in opening new charter schools or converting existing state schools to charter schools,” said Mr. Seymour.

Associate Education Minister David Seymour has announced the official opening of the application process for establishing charter schools.

"There has already been significant interest from groups and individuals interested in opening new charter schools or converting existing state schools to charter schools," said Mr. Seymour.

The application process is designed to be comprehensive and independent, consisting of two stages that aim to ensure the establishment of outstanding schools that will raise overall educational achievement.

"Charter schools provide educators with greater autonomy and create diversity in New Zealand's education system. They have been proven to raise overall educational achievement, especially for students who are underachieving or disengaged from the current system," he added.

The first stage of the application process involves verifying that applicants are 'fit and proper persons' to run a school, as defined in legislation, and that they have a viable high-level proposal. To provide certainty to sponsors, charter schools will have a fixed-term contract of 10 years, with two rights of renewal for 10 years each. All fixed-term periods are conditional on the school continuing to meet the terms of its contract.

The second stage involves a detailed assessment of the applicants' plans for the school before final decisions are made later this year. This evaluation will focus on the proposed school's objectives, the sponsor's capability, the standard of tuition to be provided, the level of community support, and the financial and network implications for the Crown.

"We are on track for the first charter schools to open in Term One 2025. I expect more will open at other points throughout the year and in 2026," stated Mr. Seymour.

Charter schools will be subject to a high level of monitoring and accountability and could be shut down if they do not achieve the outcomes they were funded to achieve.

"I hope and intend to see many new charter schools opening, and state and state-integrated schools converting to become charter schools. Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, to achieve to the best of their ability, and to gain qualifications that will support them into further study and employment," concluded Mr. Seymour.