Mainstream classes

Our high schools are well prepared to support students with disability and additional learning and support needs in mainstream classes.

Every mainstream school has a learning and support resource package (also known as low level adjustment for disability) that gives the school a specialist learning and support teacher who works directly in the school to support students and their teachers. Learning and Support flexible funding in mainstream schools provides immediate support when required.

This means many students can be supported without a confirmation of disability or the need for a formal application process or other paperwork outside the school.

Targeted or additional specialist support, however, does require a separate application process.

Classroom teachers provide adjustments for students individual education needs and are supported by:

• learning and support teachers who provide specialist support for students and their classroom teachers
• flexible funding to provide additional staff in the classroom and to support professional learning for teachers
• Integration Funding Support that provides funding to support eligible students with confirmed disability following the Access Request process
• Itinerant support teachers (hearing or vision) support eligible students with hearing or vision impairment following the Access Request process.

Parents or carers can discuss their child's learning and support needs with their current school.

Support classes

Sometimes parents and carers, schools or support agencies suggest a child would benefit from enrolment in a support class in a mainstream school or a School for Specific Purposes (SSP).

These options are available when:

• a child meets the Department's disability criteria (Word 37Kb)
• an Access Request is completed, and
• a placement panel considers and makes a recommendation that a placement is available in a specific type of support.

An Access Request is usually arranged by the student's current school learning and support team and school principal.

Support at high school

Every high school has a school learning and support team of education professionals. The team works collaboratively with students, parents and carers and other agencies where appropriate to meet the learning and support needs of each student.

All students can be supported from Years 7 to 12. Additional learning and support needs of some students may emerge at high school. Support planning can be initiated at any stage of a student's school life and any time during the school year.

The first step is to contact the school learning and support team or the school principal.

School learning and support team

At high school, school learning and support teams may involve different personnel at different times depending on a student's changing needs. The team may include the careers teacher, the year adviser and specialist teachers with expertise in supporting students with additional needs.

The school learning and support team assists teachers by personalising learning and support for students according to their individual needs. This may involve help with subject choices and deciding on a program of study that meets the student's individual needs and future goals and aspirations.

Adjustments to learning and teaching

Many students with disability and additional learning and support needs will meet curriculum requirements by participating in learning based on the mainstream syllabus content and expected outcomes.

Some students may require additional support including adjustments to teaching, learning and assessments. Adjustments should be discussed and agreed with the student, parents and carers, and the school's learning and support team.