Primary overview

New Zealand families can choose between two types of schooling for their children's education:

• state and integrated schools (Government funded)
• private schools (fee funded)

Types of primary school

• A typical primary school in New Zealand educates students from year 1 to year 8, an age range of 5 to 13
• Area or composite schools educate students from year 1 to year 13, age range 5 to 18
• Intermediate schools educate year 7 and 8 students, age range 10 to 13
• Middle schools educate students from year 7 to year 10, age range 10 to 14
• A contributing primary school caters for children from years 0 to 6, age range 5 to 10.  Students then move on to intermediate school.

School organisation

At primary level, children are placed in a wide variety of learning situations. They are usually based in one classroom and may join with other classes for some activities. Class sizes vary but are generally smaller in the junior school.

The primary school day typically begins at about 9.00am and finishes at about 3.00pm, with breaks (intervals) mid-morning, lunchtime and for some, mid-afternoon.