Program and Curriculum FAQS

Is Hester Hornbrook for everyone? 

Hester Hornbrook is a registered Special Assistance School that supports students to re-engage with education. We can enrol students who have social/emotional challenges and cognitive and sensory disabilities. The students we enrol also need to be currently disengaged from education. 

Hester Hornbrook is not a special school, however, and our staff are not trained or experienced in supporting the learning needs of students who have an intellectual disability with an FSIQ below 70. 

Below are two links that may assist you in finding an appropriate school. 

The Australian Schools Directory: 

https://www.australianschoolsdirectory.com.au/special-needs-schools 

Flexible Learning Options: 

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/flexible-learning-options/policy 

How many students are in a classroom at Hester Hornbrook? 

Max 22 students, but it can vary from each class and each day  

How old do students need to be to enroll? 

Students need to be 15 years (to 25 years) to enrol.  

What curriculum does Hester Hornbrook offer? 

The Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) 

The VCE Vocational Major (VM) 

See Curriculum Offerings for more information. 

Is the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) the same as VCE? Is it recognised by universities and Tafes? 

VPC is equivalent to a Certificate 1, therefore it is a pathway to entry level TAFE or employment.  

At Hester Hornbrook, what determines if a student is enrolled into VPC or the VCE VM? 

If a student is 15 years old, they must start with the VPC.  

Once they are 16 or older, students can select either the VPC or the Vocational Major (VM). The enrolments team will determine whether new students are better suited to the VPC or VM, based on the student’s learning needs and/or pathway. 

At Hester Hornbrook, how do the year levels work? 

At Hester Hornbrook, we offer the VPC and VCE VM, which are inclusive Year 11 and Year 12 certificates. The time taken for unit completion and certificate completion varies from student to student. We provide a flexible learning environment where students can take the time they need to complete the VPC or VCE VM, within the limitations of: the certificate completion rules determined by the VCAA; approval for Flexible Delivery by the VCAA; and Hester Hornbrook’s age limitation of 15 to 25. 

For more information, see: 

Our curriculum offerings page 

https://www.hhacademy.vic.edu.au/page/273/Curriculum-Offerings-