Seafield School of English continues to meet NZQA’s highest standard of Category 1
Seafield School of English maintains excellence in English language education, having recently retained the highest possible designation from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA): Category 1.
In its November 2025 External Evaluation and Review (EER) process, Seafield was once again awarded Category 1. This mark of excellence reflects the provider’s ongoing commitment to high-quality English language teaching, learner wellbeing, and strong educational outcomes for international students studying both on campus and online-offshore.
This result confirms Seafield’s long-standing track record of quality, having held Category 1 status continuously since 2014.
“It’s a great way to start the year, with further validation of Seafield’s commitment to learner success and compliance,” says Academic Director Daniel Goudie. “The EER process provides a valuable opportunity to hold a strong mirror up to ourselves and ensure we’re continuing to meet the demands of the present day.”
The EER report confirmed strong student achievement, supported by consistently positive progression and completion rates. NZQA identified Seafield’s experienced leadership as a key contributor to sustained educational performance, with staff recognised for being highly qualified and experienced, supported by deliberate professional development.
NZQA also recognised Seafield’s programme design and delivery as highly effective, supported by inclusive student support systems that meet learners’ needs across both academic and pastoral areas. Attendance rates remain high, while withdrawal rates are very low — clear indicators of strong student engagement and satisfaction.
Since 2022, 68 per cent of Seafield’s Level 5 graduates have progressed into higher-level study, with many enrolling at Massey University. Longitudinal data shows these graduates perform at a level equal to or exceeding their peers, demonstrating Seafield’s commitment to preparing graduates for success in further study.
The EER also acknowledged the value of Seafield’s extracurricular offerings, including speaking club, jobseekers club, and te reo Māori, which provide additional opportunities for students to prepare for life in Aotearoa, and are accessible regardless of student timetables. Policies supporting disability inclusion and critical incident management were found to be well implemented in practice.
Seafield’s inclusion within the NZSEG network was also noted as a strength, enhancing access to staff development opportunities and comprehensive support frameworks for both learners and staff.
“Seafield’s continued excellence is an outcome we’re very proud of,” says NZSEG Group CEO Wendy Liao. “This result reflects the synergy of our connected NZSEG network, where our brands learn from each other, share expertise, and work collectively to strengthen quality across the group. As NZQA transitions from the EER framework to iQAF from 2026, we’re delighted to receive this result and we remain focused on maintaining the high standards our learners and stakeholders expect.”
The category rating system rules associated with EERs changed on 19 January 2026 and are no longer in operation.