Learning pathways

Te Whāriki as the curriculum for early childhood education gives children a base for lifelong learning. The development of the new school curriculum has formed a clearer sense of continuity between the principles and strands of Te Whāriki and the values and key competencies of the school curriculum. This can be seen in the diagram below, sourced from the New Zealand Curriculum.

Learning in years 1–6

This stage builds on early childhood learning, and children have lots of experiences in all learning areas – especially literacy and numeracy. Developing values and key competencies is important for further learning.

Learning in years 7–10

Students have opportunities to do the best they can through the whole New Zealand Curriculum – values, key competencies and learning areas – as they get ready for and start senior secondary school. Literacy and numeracy are still important. Career education is important too – students develop understandings and skills so they can make informed decisions about options and pathways at school and beyond.

Learning in years 11–13

Students have the opportunity to specialise, learning in a wide range of subject areas. The values and key competencies become very important for senior school students – this is what they will need as adults for successful work, living and on-going learning. Students can gain credits towards a range of qualifications, including programmes offered by workplaces and tertiary institutions.

Tertiary education and employment

Tertiary education has four key competencies (thinking, using tools interactively, acting autonomously, operating in social groups). Students working at this level have many opportunities to explore how individuals, communities and societies, economies and environments work, in the past, present and future, and can gain very specific skills and knowledge.