Specialism Schools and Programs

Additional guidance on specialism schools and programs, including a full list of specialism settings, and guidance on the establishment and modification of special entry criteria at specialism settings, will be available in 2025.

Policy

The purpose of this policy is to outline the various types of Victorian government specialism schools and programs available to students.

Summary

• Specialism schools and programs focus on a specialist subject or activity and have special entry criteria.
• Specialism schools and programs must ensure that special entry criteria for enrolment or attendance are consistently applied when selecting students.
• There are a broad range of specialism schools and programs – refer to each school’s website for specific enrolment criteria.

Details

Specialism schools and programs focus on a specialist subject or activity and have special entry criteria that students must satisfy to be considered for enrolment or participation in the school or program.

Special entry criteria must be approved by the Deputy Secretary of Schools and Regional Services or the regional director, as authorised delegates of the Minister for Education (Education and Training Reform Act 2006, s2.2.16).

Specialism schools (and programs) must ensure that special entry criteria for enrolment or attendance are consistently applied when selecting students.

Centre for Higher Education Studies

Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHES) provides high-achieving and high-ability senior-secondary aged students with stretch and challenge opportunities through partnerships with universities. The centre supports students to gain a head start on their tertiary pathways or undertake specialised VCE subjects, including virtual learning for rural and regional students. Further information on course entry is available via the CHES website. Visit: Centre for Higher Education Studies.

Virtual School Victoria

Provides tuition from Prep to Year 12 for students who cannot access regular schools. Visit: Virtual School Victoria.

English language schools and centres

The English language schools and centres, and the Virtual New Arrivals Program (VNAP), provide intensive English language instruction for newly arrived students for whom English is an additional language.

Refer to: EAL – Provision for Newly Arrived Students.

Flying Fruit Fly Circus School

Supports circus and performing arts and produces quality circus performers and requires a satisfactory completion of the selection process. Visit: Flying Fruit Fly Circus School.

John Monash Science School

Provides specialist studies in sciences, mathematics and associated technologies. The school has a selective entry process for Years 10 to 12 students. Visit: John Monash Science School.

Maribyrnong Sports Academy

Supports aspiring young athletes balance their academic and sporting endeavours. Visit: Maribyrnong Sports Academy.

Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School

Prepares students for a career in performing arts of music and dance. The school conducts auditions to determine eligibility. Visit: Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School.

Victorian School of Languages (VSL)

Provides language classes in:

• over 40 languages through centres
• 10 languages through distance education.

Access is open to all students wishing to study a language not offered at their regular school, subject to the availability of places:

• in each class
• at particular centres.

Distance education information is also available on request from the principal of the VSL. Visit: Victorian School of Languages (VSL).

Related policies

• Enrolment
• EAL – Provision for Newly Arrived Students
• Selective entry high schools

Relevant legislation

• Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic)
• Education and Training Reform Regulations 2017 (Vic)

Contact

For queries about individual specialism schools or program, schools may contact the individual school or the relevant Area Executive Director in the applicable regional office. Refer to Office locations for contact details for each regional office.

For general queries or feedback about this policy please contact the Designated Purpose Settings Unit, Statewide Programs and Technical Schools Division on:

Phone: 03 7022 1521
Email: dps@education.vic.gov.au

Guidance

There is no further guidance for this topic. For more information, refer to the Resources tab.

Resources

Types of Victorian government schools and enrolment criteria

Information for parents on the various types of Victorian government schools and applicable enrolment criteria is available at:

• Find my School
• Types of schools
• Enrolling in school
• School zones

Supported Inclusion Schools Operational Manual

Supported Inclusion Schools Operational Manual (DOCX) – A Supported Inclusion School is a mainstream school with additional professional capabilities and facilities designed to cater to a higher proportion of students with significant disability. Students with disability are provided enhanced support to receive high quality, evidence-based educational provision alongside mainstream students in a safe, accessible and supportive environment. The manual supports school principals and the Department’s regional and central staff to implement the Supported Inclusion Schools model.