Montague School

MONTAGUE SCHOOL is a Special School for students aged 15-18 with mild intellectual disability. Families who enrol at Montague School do so knowing that their child is capable of great things, with the awareness that they would benefit from a different approach to their education. Students entering Montague School join a community of true peers, something which can be transformative to their learning experience and academic success. Our experienced and professional staff provide a safe, caring and inspiring learning environment in which all students can develop academically, socially and emotionally.

Since opening in 1886, Montague School has remained at the forefront of initiatives in the teaching of students with mild intellectual disability. We address the needs of young people who are prone to falling through the cracks of a traditional school setting. We provide a very structured, personal, planned approach to their education and prepare them for life beyond school. Our team includes teachers, teaching assistants, youth workers, counsellors, psychologists, special educators, as well as other allied health professionals. The principles that underpin our practice of teaching, knowledge and learning are designed to be enduring, challenging and connected. These principles are founded on strong, positive and supportive relationships.

Our students enjoy an extensive curriculum and are encouraged to participate in a full range of academic, artistic, sporting, community and leadership activities. Our vocational program prepares students for successful post-school transition through structured coursework, continuous work-related exposure, and a broad pastoral care curriculum focussed on enhancing student work ethic, behaviour, resilience, and academic results. We successfully mix classroom learning with real-world experience through supervised practicums and externships at offcampus facilities or with employers. This lets students apply what they learn in class to actual situations they might encounter once they begin a career.

Our Vision

Our vision is to provide a safe and nurturing environment in which students can enjoy learning, achieve their potential and develop the key skills they need to thrive as independent, emotionally and socially confident young adults. We will achieve this through our mission of empowering the person. Simply put, this means that we build on existing strengths and create learning that allows our students to become informed, confident, independent adults.

Our Commitment

1. High expectations and a profound and welljustified belief that every child and young person can learn and achieve.

2. Refined skill in finding and applying the most effective approaches to communicating with, relating to, and teaching young people with special needs and challenges.

3. Exceptional expertise in assessing progress and recognising the smallest steps as well as large jumps in learning, and in using assessment to guide teaching directly.

4. Highly effective and indispensable teamwork across the school workforce in which varied skills combine and best practice is readily shared.

5. Strong partnerships with other professionals and providers, not least in reintegration and transition.

6. The provision of ambitious and exciting opportunities through well-designed and individualised curriculum arrangements.

7. Respect for individual young people and their parents, with the power to bring cheer and selfbelief to students, and relief, optimism and support to parents.

8. Unremittingly committed, inspirational and forward-looking leadership which believes that every professional challenge has a solution.