Ben Laybourn
Based in Wellington, Ben is an education consultant with expertise in educational leadership and data analysis.
Ben is approved to delivery Ministry of Education PLD in the following areas:
Assessment
Ben is also accredited to deliver PLD in:
Leading by Learning
Collaborative Complex Problem Solving (CCPS).
He works with schools in the following areas:
Leadership and change
Data analysis and interpretation
Strategic planning for long-term development and sustainability
Effective pedagogy for accelerating learning
Science
A former deputy principal and teacher, Ben is passionate about implementing effective leadership by empowering senior and middle leaders to work as a team for greater impact. With a background in curriculum development, effective pedagogy and leading literacy in secondary schools, Ben prioritises effective teaching across all curriculum areas for every student. He emphasises how manaakitanga and whanaungatanga within the formative assessment framework enables enhanced learning outcomes.
Ben’s work in assessment is both extensive and deeply impactful across the New Zealand education sector. Since joining Evaluation Associates in 2014, he has led initiatives that embed assessment for learning practices into school-wide pedagogy, with a particular focus on using data formatively to drive improvement. His facilitation of e-asTTle, PAT, PACT, and Curriculum Progress Tools PLD has supported hundreds of educators in interpreting and applying assessment data to accelerate student achievement. As a system leader and data analyst, Ben engineered internal tools to analyse standardised test data, enabling effect size calculations and pattern identification across schools. His leadership in projects like Te Manu Ka Rere and targeted kāhui ako partnerships has elevated assessment literacy among teachers and leaders, resulting in measurable gains in student outcomes.
Ben also works in the leadership development area of the company. He excels in interpreting and presenting data and evidence to guide students, teachers, and boards in planning for future learning and improvement in outcomes. He also brings extensive skills and knowledge in Collaborative Complex Problem Solving and Leading by Learning.
Holding a Master of Education (leadership), a Bachelor of Science and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, Ben is a member of the New Zealand Association of Science Educators and serves on the House of Science Board in Wairarapa. His passion for effective science teaching and engagement, comes to life with interactive and engaging science workshops.
Outside work, Ben enjoys time on his lifestyle block in Carterton with his wife and children, where he tends to gardens, an orchard, and spends time with his dog. He also loves adventuring in the hills, on the water, or simply enjoying the natural world.
Blogs:
Quick fixes aren’t enough. Learn how Collaborative Complex Problem Solving helps schools tackle real challenges and achieve sustainable improvement.
In this blog, Ben unpacks how “theories of action” shape our problem-solving, often invisibly, and why embracing double-loop learning is key to sustainable school improvement. A must-read if you're ready to move from quick fixes to deep, lasting change.
In the blog, Ben discovers how middle leaders used deliberate conversations and evidence-based inquiry to transform student achievement in reading.