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Alternative education
Alternative Education is a pathway for learning in education, where young people receive additional learning support. It is one of the suite of options that can be used to re-engage ākonga in a meaningful learning programme targeted to their individual needs and supports them to transition back to school, further education, training, or employment. It can be used as a short-term intervention that is seen as a pathway, not a destination. Alternative Education can be used to prevent suspensions and exclusions.
Alternative Education supports ākonga to progress in the areas of:
- attendance and engagement
- academic achievement
- personal and relational skills
- re-engagement back into secondary school, further education, or training, or where appropriate, employment, through a planned approach.
He tini ngā whetū e ngaro i te kapua iti.
Many stars cannot be concealed by a small cloud.
Ākonga eligibility
Alternative Education caters for ākonga in secondary schooling who are at risk of or who have already disengaged from school.
To be eligible for entry into Alternative Education, ākonga need to meet both of the following criteria - they are:
- at risk of or already disengaged from school, and are
- in years 9-11.1
Ākonga can remain in AE beyond year 11 if this aligns with their individual needs and Collaborative Action Plan (CAP).
1It is at the discretion of the provider, Te Mahau, ākonga and whānau whether a 13-year-old who is not yet Year 9, enters AE provision.
Alternative Education Guidance
The Alternative Education Guidelines (updated 2023) provides clear information and guidance on Te Tāhuhu o te Matauranga |The Ministry of Education operational policies and processes that support all who have an interest in the provision of Alternative Education.
Download the most recent version of Alternative Education Guidance:
Alternative Education Guidelines
(PDF 2 MB)
Forms and templates
The following templates and forms support the provision of Alternative Education.
Collaborative Action Plan
A Collaborative Action Plan (CAP) is developed by the enrolling school in partnership with the ākonga, their whānau, the Alternative Education provider and others involved. All plans should be culturally appropriate and responsive to ākonga and their whānau. The CAP outlines learning, health and wellbeing goals relevant to the ākonga individual needs.
An example template can be found here:
CAP template [Dec 2022]
(Word 2007 27 KB)
Pedagogical Leadership Plan
The purpose of pedagogical leadership is to support the development of high-quality teaching and learning practices, which will contribute to successful outcomes for ākonga. Pedagogical leadership is a requirement for all Alternative Education contracts.
A Pedagogical Plan template can be found here:
Pedagogical Leadership Plan [Dec 2022]
(Word 2007 28 KB)
Contract monitoring and reporting
The following reporting supports the provision of Alternative Education:
Monthly Status Report
The monthly status report captures data at an individual and group level. A template status report will be sent to you each month by Te Mahau for completion and return.
An example template can be found here:
AE monthly status report template [Dec 2022]
(Word 2007 25 KB)
Mid-year and Annual Reports
Contract holders are required to submit progress reports twice a year. Reports detail overall ākonga progress, successes and issues that have been encountered over the reporting period, and progress against the pedagogical leadership.
Midyear reports describe progress made against your pedagogical leadership plan. The midyear report is due on the 5th working day following the start of school term 3.
Annual reports require a copy of your pedagogical leadership plan and annual financial statement. The annual report along with the pedagogical leadership plan and financial statement are due no later than April of the following year.
AE Midyear report template
(Word 2007 49 KB)
AE Annual report template
(Word 2007 41 KB)
Annual finance report template
Contract holders are required to provide a detailed annual financial record to Te Mahau.
A template can be found here:
Financial Statement Template
(Word 2007 26 KB)
More information
Ministry of Education has information for Learning Support services and Te Mahau contact details.
Alternative Education National Body (AENB) provides information about the AENB, resources, quick links and details how to become a member of the national body.
Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu – The Correspondence School (Te Kura) how to enrol, available subjects and assistance for students.
For further enquires email [email protected]
Alternative Education contract holders
The following contract holders manage Alternative Education provision in their communities:
| Te Mahau takiwā | Alternative Education contract holder |
| Te Tai Tokerau | Ara Whakamaua - Kaitaia, Kaikohe and Taipa |
| Auckland North/West - Tāmaki Herenga Waka | |
| Auckland Central/East - Tāmaki Herenga Manawa | Mt Albert Grammar School |
| Auckland South/South West - Tāmaki Herenga Tāngata | |
| Waikato | |
| Bay of Plenty, Waiariki | |
| Hawke’s Bay, Tairāwhiti | |
| Taranaki, Whanganui, Manawatu | |
| Wellington | |
| Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast | |
| Canterbury, Chatham Islands | |
| Otago, Southland |