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All children can be supported to learn in their local school or kura. This gives them the chance to learn alongside peers and be part of their local community.
Specialist schools are an option for children who need more support. For your child to go to a specialist school, you need to have a specialist education agreement in place with us.
If you think your child would benefit from time at a specialist school, talk to your regional office.
You can find the location of specialist schools by using the Education Counts search tool.
Find a school – Education Counts
Day specialist schools
Some children may be able to enrol in a local day specialist school. These schools are for children who have high or complex learning support needs or qualify for the Ongoing Resource Scheme (ORS).
Children can go to a day specialist school short term, or sometimes for all of their schooling.
Specialist schools employ a range of specialist staff. This can include:
- specialist teachers
- speech language therapists
- physiotherapists
- occupational therapists
- psychologists.
Specialist school classes held at other schools
Many specialist schools hold classes in local schools. These are called satellite classes. Students are enrolled with a specialist school but attend classes at a local school. This gives students opportunities to learn alongside their peers.
Outreach services
Some specialist schools provide an outreach service for students who are supported through the Ongoing Resource Scheme. The specialist school's teachers travel to other schools in an area. Children can be enrolled at their local school but be supported by a teacher from the specialist school.
Residential specialist schools
There are 3 residential specialist schools in New Zealand for students aged from 8 to 15 years old. They take students with needs relating to:
- socialisation
- behaviour
- learning.
They are located in Auckland, Christchurch and Nelson (for girls only). Students live at the school during term time.
Enrolling in a residential specialist school follows a specific application process. Talk to your child's learning support lead worker to find out more about residential specialist schools.
For children who are blind and have low vision
Blind and Low Vision Education Network New Zealand (BLENNZ) provides support for students with a visual impairment. BLENNZ has 15 visual resource centres throughout the country. They deliver support in early childhood centres, schools, kura, and in the home.
Most children and young people with a visual impairment attend their local school. Specialist teachers called Resource Teachers Vision (RTV) support them.
BLENNZ also has a residential specialist school and several satellite classes in the Auckland area.
Blind and Low Vision Education Network NZ (BLENNZ)
For children who are Deaf and hard of hearing
Ko Taku Reo | Deaf Education New Zealand provide education and specialist services for children that are Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH). For many children, this means attending their local school with support from a specialist teacher.
Ko Taku Reo operate bilingual classes at partner schools in the Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch areas. In these schools, students attend classes taught by Ko Taku Reo staff. They are also supported to join classes alongside their non-DHH peers.
Ko Taku Reo also has 2 live-in residential campuses in Auckland and Christchurch.
Parents and whānau – Ko Taku Reo | Deaf Education New Zealand
Regional health schools
If your child can't attend their local school for health reasons, they may be able to get help from a regional health school. These schools provide short-term education support until a child can return to their regular school.
Teaching can take place anywhere. Your child usually remains enrolled at their local school. The regional health school works with their regular school to create an individualised learning plan.
To qualify for support from a regional health school, your child needs to be in the care of a health specialist and participating in a therapeutic programme.
