Why enrol your child at Darling Point Special School?
If your child is impacted by intellectual disability resulting in individualised learning needs, then Darling Point Special School is keen to connect with you.
If you are keen to work in a special school that prides itself on quality, evidence-based practices grounded in supportive relationships, quality training and development, and learning aligned to curriculum, life quality and self-determination within contextual relevance and futures thinking, then Darling Point Special School is keen to connect with you.
Darling Point Special School is proud of its reputation locally, nationally and internationally, as a school that provides evidence-based teaching and authentic, relevant curriculum within a values-based framework of quality leadership, positive behaviour support, and warm, supportive relationships.
Features that attract families to our school:
Committed, enthusiastic principal and leadership team
Co-teaching practices where curriculum specialists work collaboratively with special educators
Curriculum programs offered in a wide range of subject areas across the Australian curriculum version 9 and school curricula including literacy, numeracy, science, health and physical education, swimming, hydrotherapy, visual arts, music, dance, drama, Asian and Pacific studies, vocational education, work experience
Personalised learning across adjustments in areas of attendance, behaviour, communication, curriculum, health and personal care, learning environments, safety, social/emotional wellbeing, or transition
Dedicated prep, early years, middle years, and senior years precincts and programs
Newly constructed and commissioned learning facilities at the Manly campus that enjoys waterfront vistas, and quality but temporary accommodation at our Lindum campus
Dedicated staff who focus with family members and students to achieve the very best possible outcomes.
Increasing enrolment trends since 1993 – from 29 students in 1993 to upwards of 180 students in 2026
Independent Public School status
International social education, special and inclusive education, speech therapy, occupational therapy, art therapy, music therapy and social work internship partnerships with international and local universities
Embedded neuroscience strategies that guide focussed learning and quality management and leadership across all aspects of the school, enabled through the ongoing partnership with Scholar-in-Residence, Prof. Allan Parker OAM
Internationally recognised work with our previous scholar-in-residence, Dr Gary LaVigna, Director, and ongoing with the Institute for Applied Behaviour Analysis that has enabled the school to achieve very evidence-based practices in positive behaviour support and applied behaviour analysis, through the multielement behaviour support (MEBS) model including non-aversive and non-restrictive practices together with ecological and positive support interventions and focussed skill development to meet students’ needs
Positive behaviour support methods embedded in practice and recognised internationally as quality examples of evidence-based practice
Quality medical plans and emergency medical supports for all students, with services and plans overseen by a registered consultant nurse
Registered training organisation status in partnership with the Department of Education Special Education Training Alliance (SETA)
Registered vocational education programs achieving certificate 1 and 2 outcomes for students making that choice in their senior years of study
VET certified teachers – Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
Sensory / snoezelen rooms
Special education qualified teachers
STEP-UP transition program to maximise success in the post-school years
Therapy services using a transdisciplinary model, in occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech language pathology including embedded adaptive and augmentative communication options designed to meet individual student preferences and needs so that all students can have their say in their preferred way throughout every day
An active School Council providing strategic advice and support to the school leadership
An active P & C Association
Outside school hours care for children and teenagers with disabilities and their siblings that enjoys CCS registration including vacation care for children and teenagers with disabilities and their siblings that enjoys Australian government support funding from the department of social services
NDIS registered disability support service, DREAM, managed by the school’s P & C Association.