One and a half years ago our submission for Aotearoa Infinite Academy was filed for the Government’s review. The approval process was a rigorous one. First, submissions for physical campus schools were reviewed and either approved or denied. At a second stage which followed six months later, virtual or hybrid schools were included in the application process.

Aotearoa Infinite Academy was the first online charter school to be approved. The day we received confirmation from the charter school agency was a truly historic one for the community we are so honoured to serve.

"We are providing a new model of purpose-built online education, designed for strong relationships, student support, and outstanding outcomes,” said Ms Boyle. “We are an option for students from all backgrounds - including whānau whose geographical location means they have limited schooling options, and for those who find the traditional classroom isn’t the right fit.” - Principal Saira Boyle said open the school’s launch.

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Many people will wonder, ‘what checks and balances are in place from the very beginning of the application process and ongoing?’

All the elements of a school which had to pass this authorisation process was staged and detailed, involving:

• detailed applications and supporting evidence,
• governance and leadership assessments,
• financial and operational due diligence,
• evaluation of curriculum and student support models,
• readiness milestones prior to opening, and
• legally binding contracts with clear expectations and enforceable obligations.

Infinite has experienced this first-hand. Our first application in 2024 was not approved because the charter school policy framework at the time was not yet able to accommodate an online-only delivery model. We resubmitted our application once the Agency’s settings had progressed to assess online-only provision appropriately. We were so pleased that, following the rigorous application process, we received approval later in 2025 for opening in Term 1 2026.

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Oversight and accountability are built into the charter school model.

‍Charter schools | kura hourua operate under contracts that require:

• regular reporting to government,
• financial audits,
• monitoring against student achievement and wellbeing measures,
• compliance with governance and conflict-of-interest standards, and
• the possibility of intervention or closure if obligations are not met.

In addition to this, we have been through external pre-opening scrutiny. The Education Review Office (ERO) has completed its pre-opening work with us, including the self-review and assurance process and a formal evaluators’ meeting where policies and procedures were tested through detailed questioning.

This work included analysing policies, preparing and working through evaluator worksheets, and identifying the sources of evidence ERO would expect to see in practice, with a focus on safety, wellbeing, and key compliance requirements.

ERO’s pre-opening review verified compliance with key legislative requirements, including child protection, online safety and cyberbullying prevention, inclusive support for students with additional learning needs, workforce safety checking and appointment processes, and teacher registration, and confirmed we have comprehensive policies and clear safeguards in place to ensure a safe physical and emotional environment for students. No areas of non-compliance were identified through that review.

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Funding is a mechanism of accountability and positive student outcomes

So how is a charter school model incentivised to deliver quality education and outcomes for students? Funding is linked to enrolment and roll numbers: funding follows the learner. This funding is safeguarded by a contract that sets expectations for what the school must deliver and how it will be accountable.

Funding from Charter School Agency comes with defined responsibilities and consequences if those responsibilities aren’t met.

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Most important of all is child safety and vetting.

‍In Aotearoa New Zealand:

1. Charter schools are legally required to meet the same child safety and vetting obligations as state, state-integrated, and private schools.
2. All staff, contractors, and volunteers working with children must undergo police vetting and comply with the Children’s Act.
3. Schools are subject to ongoing obligations around safeguarding, reporting, and risk management.

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Becoming a charter school is not a shortcut - it is one of the most robust approval and accountability processes a school can go through in New Zealand. Aotearoa Infinite Academy has been rigorously reviewed, independently scrutinised, and contractually approved to operate as a safe, compliant, and high-quality education provider. From governance and financial oversight to curriculum quality, child safety, and ongoing monitoring, every element of the school is held to clear public standards and subject to continued review. For families, this means confidence: your child is learning in an environment that is trusted, transparent, and designed to deliver outstanding educational and wellbeing outcomes.

We believe these factors are behind the success of Aotearoa Infinite Academy filling its first 200 student enrolment places for 2026 within a matter of hours. We now welcome more families, with the approval of the government to reach 450 student enrolments in Term 1, 2026, to consider whether our school is a great fit for them.

You can learn more about our school our detailed policies on Safeguarding and Child Protection here: https://www.aotearoainfiniteacademy.school/information-policy-hub

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