Application information

There is a robust application process for establishing a charter school, or converting a state school to a charter school.

Apply to sponsor a charter school | kura hourua

In July this year we called for applications from sponsors (organisations or businesses) motivated to lift student achievement and attendance, with an innovative and viable approach and the experience, knowledge and capability to deliver it.

The independent Charter School Authorisation Board is responsible for deciding which applicants are approved to begin opening charter schools in Term 1, 2025.

There will be further opportunities to apply in 2025.

The steps in the current application process are as follows:

Call for applications - closed 9 August

The purpose of this stage was to understand applicants’ intentions and establish their suitability.

Applicants provided information intended to demonstrate that their organisation and the people governing it are ‘fit and proper persons’ as defined in the Education and Training Amendment Act 2024. They were also asked for a purpose statement (describing aspirations and approach) and a high-level business plan.

Assessment - August/September

Applications that pass the ‘fit and proper persons test’ and are assessed as viable will be recommended to progress to the next stage.

All information provided in an application will remain confidential to those directly involved in the assessment process and will only be used in the assessment of the application.

Decisions and contracting

Decisions will be made by the independent Charter School Authorisation Board. Selected sponsors will then negotiate the details of their contract with the Charter School Agency. All charter schools will meet core legal requirements. Individual contracts will cover a broad range of matters specific to each school including (but not limited to):

performance targets and outcomes
specific measures that will be used to determine if those targets have been met
the number or percentage of teaching positions must be filled by teachers with practising certificates, or persons holding a limited authority to teach
the curriculum to be taught at the school and the mode of delivery
the qualifications to be offered by the school
the physical capacity of the school premises

Indicative timeline

11 July 2024	Applications open
18 July 2024	Applicant briefing (register via GETS)
9 August	Applications close
First week September	Applicants contacted about next steps
October	Legislation passes
October	Authorisation Board appointed
October	Authorisation Board makes decisions on applications
October - November	Contracting