Niland School is a regional facility that provides educational programs for students with an emotional disturbance as well as a mild or moderate intellectual disability. The current enrolment is 42 students, with 31% identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island heritage.
Niland School caters for students from year 5 to year 12, with 6 classes and up to 7 students per class. Each class is staffed by a Teacher with training and/or experience in a special education setting and a School Learning Support Officer (SLSO). The school aims to develop lifelong learning skills through a collaborative process involving the student, their parents or caregivers, school staff and personnel from relevant support agencies.
The Niland School curriculum focuses on developing the whole person through individualised learning plans with improvement goals that encompass academic, vocational, physical, creative and social skills. A critical focus in teaching and learning programs delivered is that of transition to work and the development of strategies to provide students with a foundation to become productive members of the wider community.
The school is part of the Mount Druitt Learning Community and Special Education Principals and Leaders Association (SEPLA). Both are powerful partnerships that provide support, share expertise and provide a structure to promote a collaborative culture.