Evaluation and Review

External Evaluation Review

The NZ Qualifications Authority undertakes independent reviews of tertiary education organisations in their regular External Evaluation Review process. In our latest review (2024), Laidlaw retained its Category 1 Education Provider Status. The full review is available to read on the link below.

Pastoral Care Self Review

Laidlaw College is a signatory to The Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021. This Code sets out the responsibilities of educational institutions to support the wellbeing, development and educational achievement of its students. Each year the College reviews its practices against the Code’s requirements and notes steps to be taken to ensure the best possible learning environment for students. Click the buttons below to read our most recent self review and self attestation reports.

Self-Review of The Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021

October 2024

The Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 sets out what education providers in New Zealand must do to ensure the wellbeing and safety of their learners.

Laidlaw is committed to providing safe, inclusive, supportive, and accessible physical and digital learning environments for our students. The College is also aware of the distinct wellbeing and safety needs of our international learners and is committed to ensuring prospective international students receive clear information and are well informed about their study options, and oriented well into study at Laidlaw. A team, headed by the Academic Registrar and Student Dean, meet throughout the year to review sections of the Code, and seek to improve our systems in response to the Code’s requirements and identified student needs.

As we work to continually improve our practices, student voice is sought through Orientation and end-of-semester surveys and through our student leadership teams in Auckland and Christchurch, and our student representatives on the National Academic Committee and National Governing Council.

The 2024 self-review process focussed on identifying gaps in Laidlaw’s practices around the Code’s outcomes. Areas that require further implementation during 2025 were identified as:

  1. Strategic goals and plans to be updated in response to gaps identified in the review
  2. A staff training cycle to be implemented to ensure a consistent responsive wellbeing and safety system nationally.
  3. Further resources and information to be added to the Orientation website page to help prepare learners for study at Laidlaw
  4. The orientation session on managing expectations is to be developed as a national resource for all students
  5. The process to follow in the event a student has concerns about a fellow student’s wellbeing is to be outlined in the student Moodle system
  6. A one-on-one check-in meeting with international students is to be instituted within 3-4 weeks of the commencement of their study


Complaints 

Laidlaw has a formal process in place to address any complaint a student may have, whether it be academic, of a general nature, or a financial complaint. Our processes are outlined in section 5.7 “Grievance Procedures” of Laidlaw’s General Regulations. Laidlaw aims to resolve any concerns or complaints in a fair, open manner with students able to have a support person with them at any stage of the process.

In the 2024 review period there were five complaints received: Grading – 2; Staff processes – 2; and one complaint to do with the denial of a request for a full fee fund after a late withdrawal. Grading complaints were reviewed by the Head of School in consultation with lecturers concerned. One grade was upheld, and the student was notified of the result; the other complaint resulted in a thesis being submitted to a third examiner. Written apologies were made in relation to complaints over staff processes. The Chief Financial Officer upheld the decision to refuse a full refund of fees after a late withdrawal. In all cases the complaints were resolved without the need to escalate to the National Principal, or the need for external resolution.

 

Critical Incidents and Emergencies

There were no reported critical incidents and emergencies during the review period.