The school provides primary education, based on the New Zealand syllabus, and correspondence courses in post-primary education were introduced in 1957.  Overseas secondary education is encouraged by the grant of bursaries and a number of students have received secondary education in New Zealand at Pitcairn Government expense.  The Education Officer, is appointed by the Governor from suitable qualified applicants who are New Zealand registered teachers.  The Education Officer, who is also the Government Adviser and Editor of the Pitcairn Miscellany, is contracted for two year terms.  The Education Officer is assisted by a Pitcairn language teacher and staff include a cleaner and grounds person.

The school and the teacher’s residence are of timber and iron construction and were completed in 1950.  The equipment is modern and includes a 7.5 kva generator, a film projector, piano, sound system, computers, television, VCR, photocopier and a range of woodwork tools.  The school library is kept well stocked.

The average attendance at the school in the early 1950s was 20 pupils, increasing to 28 in 1959 and 36 in 1962.  Since then the roll has gradually decreased and in 1999 there were 10 pupils.

The pattern of education on Pitcairn keeps pace with curriculum changes in New Zealand.  The island, traditionally a land of smallholders and handicraft traders, has developed new markets for the export of dried fruit and honey products.  Tourism is developing into a more significant local industry both with visits by cruise ships and with those who visit to stay a few weeks on the island.

Education policy therefore aims to provide a broad range of skills to enable adaptability in a changing environment.