Students with disability
Every child or young person is welcome to learn at their local ACT public school. Our school is committed to removing barriers so all students can access learning. Quality teaching practice helps all students, and our teachers make adjustments for students who need them to ensure they successfully access and participate in learning and school activities.
Adjustments for students may include:
- providing extra visual cues and information
- breaking down tasks or presenting them in a different way
- providing more practice of learning tasks or repetition
- checking for understanding
- changes to the environment
- providing other ways for a student to communicate
- strategies to meet a student’s sensory needs
- access to quiet spaces to assist with regulation.
These adjustments might be made in a smaller group learning situation and at times the class teacher may be assisted by another educator.
Read more about how students with disability are supported in ACT public schools.
Small Group Program
The Small Group Program provides specialised, individual support for selected students in Years 7 to 10. The educational focus of the Small Group is on real-life literacy and numeracy skills, as well as the necessary social skills to function in our society.
From 2026, the way ACT public schools are resourced is changing to better meet the needs of students with disability and additional needs. The new resourcing model will allocate resourcing to schools based on the adjustments students need at school, replacing the previous diagnosis-based approach. All students have the right to access education on the same basis as their peers. The new model aims to ensure that schools have the resources needed to ensure that all students are supported to access their learning and participate fully at school. A collaborative process will be in place from 2026 to support school staff, as needed, to make decisions about which students should be offered access to small group learning. This will continue to include consultation with school leaders, families and Allied Health Professionals.
An Individual Learning Plan (ILP) is developed for each student placed in the Small Group program. The Small Group program is designed to meet individual student needs. These needs are identified collaboratively by the teaching staff, the parents/carers and the young person. As such, the course content of any group will be determined by the specific needs of the individuals and the group. Skill development in the areas of literacy, numeracy, communication and organisation provides a framework for devising specific activities. At all times, staff seek to reinforce positive attitudes to learning and promote high self-esteem.
General principles of the Small Group program:
- activities are success-oriented to build and encourage participation in a positive learning environment
- learning situations are presented as enjoyable and interesting
- material is geared to students' ability and interest levels
- practical activities are emphasised to make learning relevant and meaningful
- technology is used to enhance learning opportunities
- parent involvement is valued and encouraged.