Declined Enquiries FAQs

Why was my enquiry declined? 

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. 

Hester Hornbrook is a registered Special Assistance School that supports students to re-engage with education. We can only enrol students if they meet the below criteria: 

1. They have social/emotional challenges and cognitive and sensory disabilities.  
2. There is evidence of disengagement from education in attendance and/or academic progress.  

Hester Hornbrook offers two certificates: VPC and VCE VM (see link below for more information). We can only enrol a student that are academically suitable for either of these certificates. 

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

Lastly, additional factors can come up during the enrolment process that may lead to a declined enquiry. These factors may relate to the safety of: currently enrolled students; staff; the safety of the young person who submitted the enquiry, and/or the safety of their family/carers. 

Can the school provide more information on why my enquiry was declined? 

All decisions regarding enrolment are made in the best interests of the young person who submitted the enquiry, as well as the staff students at Hester Hornbrook.   

A brief overview of the reason for a declined enrolment will be included in the initial email. Hester Hornbrook does not provide additional information on the reasons for a declined enquiry, and further queries will be directed back to the initial email. 

Can I appeal if my enquiry was declined? 

The enrolments team meet to review enrolment applications and determine suitability. The team consult many experts within our school setting before arriving at a decision. Based on this, the team determines if enrolment is in the best interest of the young person, as well as the Hester Hornbrook community. These decisions are never made lightly and rarely change. If you wish to appeal this decision, however, please email enrolments@hhacademy.vic.edu.au.