An innovative partnership between two Wyndham schools is being hailed as the future for education of children with intellectual disabilities.
Last Friday, a new campus of specialist school Warringa Park School opened at The Grange P-12 College in Hoppers Crossing to provide years 9 and 10 students with a broader educational experience.
Both schools believe the collaboration could become a model for other schools across the state.
While the Warringa Park students have separate class
rooms and office and their own multi-purpose room, they wear The Grange uniform.
Warringa Park School acting principal Marie Hayes said the partnership would provide exciting opportunities for students and teachers to share resources.
“We’re always looking for ways to be more inclusive and offer different pathways for our students,” she said. “Our students started at this campus earlier in the year and they’ve already grown enormously.
“There’s typically a level of disengagement with years 9 and 10 students and our program aims to be innovative and build on their strengths and interests.
“As well as different learning opportunities, they’re also expanding their friendship groups.”
The Grange P-12 College principal David Smillie said the close working relationship between the schools was already paying dividends.
“This should be a model for the future of education,” he said.
“Students and teachers are benefiting from the shared learning. That’s been one of the real strengths and a real positive.”
