Thuso Centre

Admission Criteria

• New students must be between the age of 6 years and 11 years of age (inclusive) at the time they will begin attending the Centre.

• All students must have an intellectual disability or multiple disabilities that prevent their attendance at mainstream primary school.

•  Disabilities must be diagnosed and documented prior to, or at the time of, admission.  The child will undergo medical, social, and educational assessments at the time of admission. These assessments will be conducted by school staff, a medical doctor, and other members of the support team along with at least one parent or guardian.

• Priority for admission will be given to younger students and to students whose disability has prevented them from previously accessing any education experience at school.

Note: Selection is also based on the capacity of the Centre to manage students with varying levels of support needed.

Selection Procedure

1. Registrations
   Registrations for potential students open on 1 November annually.  All prospective students must be registered with the school by 30 November in the year prior to commencement. Registration can be made in person, via telephone email or link on our website.

2. Assessment Meeting

   All prospective applicants and at least one parent or guardian will be required to attend an assessment day in December. Parent or guardian will be required to discuss their child’s development and medical conditions with the Centre staff as part of an assessment that will allow the Centre to understand the child’s strengths, abilities and care requirements. Within three weeks of the assessment meeting, you will receive feedback on whether or not your child has received an offer of admission. If you do not attend this meeting then the child will not be considered for admission.

Conditions of Enrollment

Enrollment at Thuso Centre is subject to the following conditions:

• Students will be accepted on a provisional basis for a period of 1 to 2 months.  At any time during this period, school staff may decide that the school is not an appropriate placement for the child.  If this occurs then the parent/guardian will be notified and will be expected to collect their child from the school as soon as possible.

• Students may be returned to their home or may be placed in a different educational institution, with parental agreement, if school staff assess that the child has acquired the appropriate skills or education to attend a mainstream school.

• The maximum age for students at the centre is 20 years old.  Annual re-enrolment will not be offered upon reaching the age of 20 however students will be allowed to complete their current year of study.

Application form

Complete this form to begin the application process for a child seeking admission at Thuso Centre.