Secondary Tertiary Alignment Resource (STAR)

Who gets STAR funding

We provide STAR funding to all state and state-integrated schools and kura with ākonga | students in Year 11 and above.

All STAR funding is distributed directly to schools and kura. There is no additional STAR funding available to external training providers.

Any providers seeking to deliver STAR-funded courses should work directly with local schools.

What STAR funding is for

STAR gives schools the ability to provide the range of learning experiences their students need to successfully transition to further study and employment. STAR is a key opportunity for schools to integrate the National Education and Learning Priorities (NELP) Objective 4: Future of learning and work within their school and community. Learning experiences can also align with the vocational pathways.

The Statement of National Education and Learning Priorities

Schools may use STAR funding to:

• provide flexible courses, including work-based learning where possible
• give students opportunities to explore pathways to work or further education.

STAR is part of the operational grant schools receive to run their school. As with other grant components, schools can choose how they use the funding to best meet the needs of their students.

Operational funding

School board and principal responsibilities

Schools must have policies and processes to manage the use of the STAR budget. These will be specific to each school's programme. They may align with other secondary-tertiary initiatives including Gateway and Secondary-Tertiary programmes (STPs).

Schools can have appropriate agreements with any external organisation delivering STAR-funded programmes. These agreements should cover all aspects related to the services the provider is delivering. This includes, but is not limited to:

• service deliverables
• roles and responsibilities
• health and safety/student welfare (risk management)
• costs
• attendance monitoring
• any formal curriculum to be delivered (covering standards offered and consent to assess accreditation).

Schools should identify students who use STAR funding in their student management system (SMS). This may include:

• taster courses offered by tertiary education organisations
• other external training provider courses
• learning resources purchased using STAR.

Refer to your SMS vendor for advice and reporting guides.

Legal requirements for the board

Boards are legally responsible for health and safety and student welfare whilst participating in STAR-funded learning.

Health and safety responsibilities for schools

EOTC guidelines – TKI

The Education and Training Act 2020 sets out conditions for work experience arrangements.

Courses, work experience, and visits outside school premises: Education and Training Act 2020 – New Zealand Legislation

Work Experience Notice 2004 - New Zealand Gazette

The Act also has attendance requirements that apply to STAR courses. Students can be released from school for STAR and are still considered as attending school while at these courses.

Our health and safety guide has information for schools about students on work experience.