History and Context

The Deaf Education Centre opened in 2001. As a co-located school, it is a “school within a school”. It is the only secondary centre of this size and nature for Deaf and hard of hearing students in the state and we are co-located on site with one of the top secondary schools in WA, Shenton College. The Deaf Education Centre is able to support a diverse range of students, including those who require remedial literacy and life skills programs; vocational programs to those who are highly academic and in full ATAR courses. The programs and support offered to the students reflects their diverse needs educationally, socially and emotionally. The programs offered are dynamic and responsive to the individual student’s needs. Inclusive education is, and always will be, a priority for the centre. This includes providing the highest standards of support services to students, including interpreting and notetaking services, the professional development of all staff at Shenton College, the quality of teaching in the centre and curriculum innovations for students in mainstream classes. The centre sets a number of priorities and goals each year for continuous improvement, and to maintain it’s reputation as a centre of excellence.

The Deaf Education Centre values community involvement and promotes a high level of parental involvement in decision-making. The Deaf Education Centre’s Council, represented by parents, community members and school staff, meets each school semesters.