Why Consider Rossbourne

Rossbourne School is a unique secondary school dedicated to supporting students who face challenges in achieving social and academic success in mainstream education due to neurodevelopmental differences.

Our Purpose

We are committed to enhancing the life opportunities of our students by placing them at the centre of learning. We foster independence, social connections, resilience, and respectful relationships.

Our Mission

Our mission is to nurture self-worth and confidence in our students. We empower them to recognise their strengths, build strong foundations for personal achievements, and define their success by making meaningful contributions to the community.

Our Approach to Enrolment

Rossbourne is an exceptional school for students who align with our culture and educational programs. However, it is not a suitable option for all neurodivergent students. A mismatch between a student’s needs and the school's resources can impact their self-worth and learning potential. To ensure Rossbourne is the right fit for each student, all prospective applicants engage in an application process, including diagnostic and academic assessments, along with a two-day trial period.

Classroom Structure and Independence

Independence is a fundamental aspect of our culture and curriculum. Rossbourne does not employ integration aides or teacher assistants. Students must be able to function in a class of 12 students with a single teacher, requiring them to work independently while having equal access to teacher support.

Students requiring extensive support beyond one teacher may be better suited to a state special school or a mainstream secondary school offering substantial integration aide assistance. Some mainstream schools allow parents to self-fund additional aide support. State Special schools, offer additional classroom staff, providing a lower student-to-teacher ratio.

Suitability for Rossbourne

Rossbourne is not resourced to support students with intellectual disabilities, significant psychiatric or behavioural challenges, or those with high hygiene and self-care needs.

All students are expected to participate in the full curriculum on a full-time basis. Parents and caregivers are responsible for ensuring their child meets attendance and participation requirements.

Academic Expectations

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Rossbourne’s curriculum is tailored to students whose academic abilities fall between mainstream secondary education and government special schools. We support students in the ‘grey area’ of education.

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Our experience indicates that students enrolling in Year 7 benefit most from our program if they have at least a Year 2 standard in reading comprehension, literacy, and mathematics. Students performing below this level may find our curriculum too advanced and the pace of instruction too rapid.

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Rossbourne’s educational pathway prepares students for success in TAFE training programs through VPC (Victorian Pathways Certificate) or VCE VM (VCE Vocational Major).

Educational Options in Melbourne for Students with Disabilities

The most appropriate school for each student depends on the nature and extent of their learning and cognitive challenges.

Options include:

Mainstream Secondary School (with support programs)
Rossbourne School
Government Special Schools
Independent and Catholic Special Schools
Government Special Development Schools