Inclusive education classes

Our inclusive education unit is a safe and welcoming place where students who need extra support can learn and grow. We create small, caring classes where students can learn at their own pace, build confidence and access opportunities in a safe and inclusive space.

Inclusive education

Inclusion is embedded in all aspects of school life, and is supported by culture, policies and everyday practices. Inclusion means educational environments that adapt the design and physical structures, teaching methods, and curriculum as well as the culture, policy and practice of education environments so that they are accessible to all students without discrimination.

Support classes are located in some mainstream primary schools, high schools, central schools and Schools for Specific Purposes (SSPs) across NSW. Support classes have fewer students and provide a specialist setting where your child can learn with other students who require similar adjustments.

They support students with diverse needs, including those with intellectual disability, mental illness, autism, physical disability or sensory disability, and students with behaviour disorders.

Our three inclusive education classes are for students with autism / moderate intellectual disability:

• Purple Class - currently for Kindergarten students with autism
• Yellow Class - currently for Year 1-3 students with autism
• Blue Class - currently for students from Kindergarten to Year 4 with autism and moderate intellectual disability

Your local school will discuss what specialist supports your child is eligible for, and will complete the application with you if this is the most appropriate option for your child.

This option may be available when:

• Your child has complex support needs and meets the department's eligibility criteria.
• An access request application is completed by your local school in collaboration with you and signed by you. A placement panel considers this application and makes a recommendation.
• You cannot enrol your child directly into an inclusive education class, but your local primary school can help you with this process. The first step is to speak with them for further support.

For more information about support classes, please contact your local school or the NSW Department of Education on 13 15 36, or visit their website for further information about eligibility, application processes and available support settings.