Yarra Ranges Special Developmental School (YRSDS) provides quality education programs for school-aged students 5-18 with a moderate to profound intellectual disability, many students also have additional impairments, including sensory, physical and/or autism spectrum disorder.

Additionally, Our Early Education Program supports pre-school children aged between 2 years eight months and 4 years 8 months with developmental delay in two or more areas.Students must meet the state-wide eligibility criteria to attend YRSDS and are enrolled in accordance with the school's documented enrolment policy. Furthermore, all students at YRSDS are entitled to a Disability Inclusion Profile, which will outline the specific level of adjustments needed for each student to effectively access the curriculum.

YRSDS is a purpose-built facility staffed by specialists dedicated to meeting the unique needs of our students. The school is organised into four sections: Early Education, Lower Primary, Upper Primary, and Secondary, each overseen by a member of the leadership team. This team includes a School Principal, two Assistant Principals, and several specialised staff members, such as a Leading Teacher, two Learning Specialists, an Inclusion Outreach Coach, a School-wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) Team Leader, a Therapy Team Leader, and an Education Support Leader. All working together to drive the school¿s vision and educational initiatives.

To address the medical needs of our students, we employ two registered nursing staff who also provide health training for all school personnel.

At YRSDS, we have a shared belief that all students are entitled to access the same learning experiences as their age- equivalent peers.



All learning experiences for students aged 5 to 15 are designed according to the Victorian Curriculum 2.0 at age-appropriate levels. For our Early Education Program, we utilise the Victorian Early Years Developmental Framework, while our secondary students, aged 15 to 18 in their final three years, currently participate in an adapted program based on the Victorian Pathways Certificate. Our secondarystudents also have opportunities to develop recreation and work-related skill.

Individual student goals are collaboratively developed with families and/or caregivers, ensuring alignment with developmentally appropriate achievement standards from the relevant curriculum.

All students at YRSDS have an individualised Education Plan with key goals that are created in conjunction with the student, their parents/ carers and the teaching and therapy teams. Our workforce includes exceptionally skilled Teachers, Therapists (Speech, Occupational, and Physiotherapy), Mental Health Practitioners, Education Support Staff, Specialist Teachers and a Family support Co-ordinator. Utilising a multi-disciplinary approach, we provide ongoing and extensive adjustments to ensure that all students can engage safely and positively in their education.

Our school's philosophy emphasises the belief that all children learn best in a happy, challenging, and supportive workplace. Teaching and learning at YRSDS is child-centred, with a focus on fostering independence.





Our instructional approach is based on Communication, School Wide Positive Behaviour Support and Structuring Functional Independence. Our vision is to build independence through active learning and our school values for the whole school community are:

- Be Respectful.
- Be Responsible.
- Be Safe

These values are integral to all school policies and practices and are reinforced through positive partnerships with students, staff, parents, caregivers, volunteers, and the broader community.

Curriculum design and delivery is enhanced by the expertise of acommitted and caring multi-disciplinary staff. The teacher to student ratio enables smaller classes (6-10 students) with education support staff working alongside the teacher, ensuring individualised support for all students.

We are proud to have achieved gold accreditation for School-wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) in 2022, 2023, and 2024 and Platinum 2025.

We also host the internationally acclaimed MeTV, our onsite television broadcasting service. MeTV enhances our students' learning opportunities and contributes to our curriculum in a fun, interactive way. Information Communication Technology is embedded into student learning throughout the school.

The greatest strength of our school is a culture of warmth, inclusivity, and empathy. We actively foster partnerships among parents, students, staff, caregivers, volunteers, and the wider community, creating an environment that benefits every child.

Location Profile

Yarra Ranges Special Developmental School (YRSDS) provides quality education programs for school-aged students 5-18 with a moderate to profound intellectual disability, many students also have additi

📌 Physical Education (Melbourne)
🏢 Government schools
📍 Melbourne