The Ministry of Education says Porirua School still has its powers of governance, despite being put under statutory management to help it with national standards.
Regional operations deputy secretary Katrina Casey said a limited statutory manager has been working alongside the board of Porirua School as an advisor for 12 months.
She said no school has ever lost its powers of governance because of a refusal to implement national standards.
Porirua School could not be reached for comment.
But the New Zealand Educational Institute said national standards do not accurately reflect student achievement and the decision to place the school in statutory management was heavy-handed and unnecessary.
