Education Support Facilities
The formative years of education can be an enriching and vibrant experience for children and their families. Children attend school to develop their academic, social, physical and cognitive skills, as a pathway to prepare them for the opportunities and responsibilities of life. Bonds are formed by families within the school, creating greater connection within the community.
For children with physical or intellectual disabilities and their care givers, this education journey can be far more challenging. This may be due to the child’s health and medical needs, an increased concern for bullying, and difficulty connecting with peers.
Survey data collected by the Commissioner for Children and Young People WA in 2015 indicated that for children with disabilities, their sense of belonging was a key factor for engagement at school, along with academic achievement, attendance and liking the environment overall.
For children across all levels of ability, the sense of being a part of their school is important.
Commencing in the 1980’s, integrated Education Support facilities have become part of a movement away from prescriptive historical models. Parents of children with special needs now have the option to integrate their children into mainstream schooling utilising such specialised, integrated Education Support facilities; or find placement within traditional separate, specialised schools, depending on specific individual needs and preferences.
Co-located within local primary or secondary schools, Education Support facilities now offer a more inclusive, child-centred approach. They provide the opportunity for an integrated school environment and benefits of socialisation and friendship, within more bespoke education facilities and programs aligned with the child’s needs. These facilities include therapy rooms, multi-sensory environments, adjustable classroom tools and resources, play spaces and sometimes physio-therapy pools. These facilities may be paired with individualised learning plans, technology and teacher assisted supports.
Fast forward to the mid 2000s, and new schools are being purposefully planned to incorporate a composite model for both primary and secondary sites.
Carabiner specialise in designing schools that are accessible and inclusive for all students, and have partnered with Department of Finance and Department of Education to collaborate on integrated Education Support facilities incorporated within new schools, and also integrated within existing schools as part of their expansion and improvement.
According to the WA Government Institute of Health and Welfare, “In 2021, more than three-quarters (76%) of people with a disability aged 15–64 who went to school reported they attend, or have attended, government schools.” This attendance may indicate that the system continues to become better equipped to tailor support for students with differing needs, and that integrated Education Support facilities help to remove barriers to participation.
Students often require support for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disabilities, Physical disabilities, sensory impairments and complex communication needs.
Aveley North Primary School, completed in 2018, was one such new school where an Education Support Hub was added to meet the needs of the community during the early stages of the project. The school works in partnership with student’s families, and utilises their Education Support Hub to deliver specialised learning plans and supervision.
Carabiner designed both the new Primary school and seamlessly integrated Education Support Hub.
For Brabham Primary School in the City of Swan, the integrated Education Support school was designed as a Major Upgrade to the existing busy Primary School. The new integrated Education Support School includes a therapy pool and physio gym, life skills classrooms, kitchen, and safe shaded play areas for Kindergarten to Year 6.
The new Brabham Primary School - Education Support School has been designed as a separately defined, but fully integrated school within a school.
The new ESS has been designed with its own main entry identity and sheltered bus drop-off/pickup area augmenting rather than conflicting with the amenity and daily operations of the existing school.
The future of education for children with diverse needs is looking brighter, with Government initiatives to refine delivery of school services, such as review of the School Education Act 1999, announced in December 2023.
“I want every child to reach their full potential, no matter their postcode or special needs.” - Western Australia’s Education Minister, Tony Buti
Future school facilities will undoubtedly incorporate these learnings, and the growing use of technology to bridge the gap in services for children with disabilities. As Architects, we look forward to collaborating with parents, educators, industry experts, and local and state Governments to design schools that make every student feel welcome, and provide a foundation for growth and opportunity.