Enrolment criteria for specialist school
At a specialist school, your child will grow and learn in a supportive classroom suited to their needs.
Before you apply
A specialist school provides education and support to children with disabilities who require significant education adjustments for participation.
Before you enrol, you will need a report from your:
- paediatrician or
- psychologist.
The report needs to be about your child’s development and any diagnoses.
Only children who have very low scores can be enrolled into a specialist school or centre.
This can mean:
- IQ of 70 or below
- significant challenges in everyday skills falling in the bottom 2% such as multiple needs in areas like communication, self-care, social and interpersonal skills
- needing a lot of support and a highly personalised program to help them access and participate in the curriculum.
Enrolment process
You will need to contact the school and meet the principal to check if the school is right for your child. Find a specialist school or centre.
If you are offered a placement by the principal, Student Wellbeing and Inclusion Programs and Services (SWIPS) will need to confirm your enrolment meets the criteria before your child starts. The school will submit your application to SWIPS on your behalf.
If the criteria is met your child’s enrolments can then be approved:
- ongoing – for students who will always need high support
- with the goal of transitioning to a mainstream school - known as a functional placement
- with an end date – known as a temporary placement.
Functional placements
If your child is offered a functional placement, their enrolment with the school will be reviewed on the date listed in your placement letter.
This means that your child may transition into a regular school depending on the outcome of the review.
The review considers:
- any updated diagnosis assessments or additional reports
- history and background
- educational adjustment plans
- advice and support from professionals
- social and emotional skills.
If it’s decided that your child can transition, you will be given a temporary placement notice.
The temporary placement is to give you and your child enough time and support to transition to the new school.
Temporary placement
Sometimes you can be given a temporary placement by the school principal for one semester.
During this time your enrolment will be reviewed by SWIPS to determine if your placement can be an ongoing or a functional placement.
Ineligible enrolments
Schools cannot guarantee your child's placement.
All enrolments to specialist schools or centres must be reviewed and assessed by SWIPS.
If your child is not eligible you will get a phone call to discuss the outcome. You may be given information about alternative supports and services.
You will also receive a written response.
Appealing a decision
You can appeal any decision.
Submit your appeal in writing within 10 days of receiving your notice. You should include details as to why you are appealing the decision.
A review will be held, and may include:
- relevant directors
- SWIPS
- psychologists
- school principals or senior school staff.
A final decision will be made to you in writing.