A decision and compliance companion for New Zealand school leaders. Walk any removal decision through the Act, weigh it fairly, and leave with a record that holds up.
Built around the Education and Training Act 2020 & the 2026 Ministry guidelines. Runs in your browser — nothing leaves your device.
The Act gives principals real discretion — and the Ombudsman reviews how you used it. Most challenges succeed not because the behaviour didn't warrant a response, but because the record didn't show a fair, considered one.
The obligations to think through all your options and consider all the circumstances are designed for the protection of children. Results must not be fixed: they must instead be fair.
— High Court, cited in the Ministry guidelinesThe tool doesn't make the decision for you. It makes sure you've considered what the Act requires you to consider — and captures it as you go.
Pick the response, the statutory ground, and the specific behaviour. The tool holds you to the real thresholds — gross misconduct isn't trivial, and zero-tolerance alone is unlawful.
Record student voice, mitigating circumstances, the alternatives you considered, and why this response is proportionate. This is the reasoning record that protects you.
Generate the parent letter, board report and a full PDF record. Work the obligations checklist — notify, count the days, arrange guidance — with nothing left to memory.
Designed for the reality of the role: high stakes, short timeframes, and a duty to be fair to the child in front of you.
Every prompt maps to a duty under the Act or a real review finding. If a case is ever challenged, your record shows a fair, considered process.
A straight stand-down takes minutes on the quick path. Day counts skip weekends, deadlines are flagged, and the letter writes itself from your inputs.
Student voice, individual circumstances and support considerations are part of the flow — not an afterthought — reflecting the Act's focus on the child.
Everything runs in your browser. No student data is uploaded or stored on a server — you keep the record and share it on your terms.
The right level of rigour for what you're actually dealing with — no more, no less.
The self-contained path for a stand-down: no board, no meeting. Just the legally required steps, cleanly captured.
The complete case record for suspensions, exclusions and expulsions — structured for a board meeting or an Ombudsman review.
Free to use, runs in your browser, and ready the next time an incident lands on your desk.
Open Which Way? →Bookmark the tool: whichway.netlify.app