Ben Laybourn

Systems Lead

Ben works out of Wellington and is the Evaluative Systems Lead overseeing the quality and impact of all the work we do at Evaluation Associates | Te Huinga Kākākura Mātauranga.

As our Evaluative Systems Lead, Ben is one of our go-to people on all things data analysis. He has great skills in interpreting and displaying data and evidence in ways that help students, teachers and boards of trustees identify and plan for future learning. He also has considerable experience in the use of student management systems.

Ben is a member of our facilitation team and is a Ministry of Education accredited facilitator and expert partner. He also works in schools right across the lower part of the North Island as an accredited facilitator and expert partner. His areas of expertise are:

  • leadership and change

  • assessment for learning

  • seriously cool science teaching

  • strategic thinking and planning for long term development and sustainability

  • effective pedagogy for accelerating learning

  • data analysis and interpretation

  • e-asTTle and standardised assessments.

Ben has a Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry and Chemistry), a Diploma of Teaching (Primary) and a Postgraduate certificate in Education (leadership). He is a bit of a guru when it comes to the effective teaching of science and runs hands on science workshops that certainly capture the imagination. Ben is a member of the New Zealand Association of Science Educators and on the board of the House of Science Wairarapa.

Prior to joining Evaluation Associates | Te Huinga Kākākura Mātauranga, Ben was a deputy principal in a secondary school. He has a background in primary and secondary teaching so covers the full spectrum of education. He has also led literacy and curriculum in secondary schools, focusing on effective pedagogy across all curriculum areas and for all students.

His passion is effective leadership across schools, not only with senior leaders but empowering middle leaders to step up to work as a team to make more of a difference. He focuses on how manaakitanga and whanaungatanga, within the framework of formative assessment, can maximise learning.

When not at work, you will find Ben on his lifestyle block in Carterton with his wife and children. The family’s gardens, orchard, sheep and dogs keep them busy. If they are not at home, they will be out having an adventure somewhere – in the hills, on the water, or just enjoying nature.

These are some of the schools Ben has worked with recently:

  • Central Taranaki Kāhui Ako

  • Tararua Kāhui Ako

  • Stratford High

  • Tararua College

  • Clyde Quay Primary school

  • Island Bay Primary School