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School Structure
Early Childhood
Junior School
Middle School
Senior School

School Structure

CHI.L.D. Association operates The Glenleighden School, established in 1979 at Fig Tree Pocket in Brisbane's western suburbs. The school caters specifically for children with severe childhood language and related disorders and is the only facility of its kind in Australia.

The Glenleighden School caters for children from preschool through to secondary age and provides comprehensive, intensive multi-disciplinary programs which are highly individualised and address the full scope of the students' developmental and learning needs. There are four distinct levels in the school, Early Childhood, Junior School, Middle School and Senior School.

The Glenleighden School uses a model of integrated, specialist provision and the school constantly aims to be a ‘centre of excellence' in this field of disability.
Situated in a quiet bush setting, Glenleighden resembles a small, friendly country school. This is very important for the students who can be overwhelmed in a mainstream school environment where they feel ‘different' and their language, learning and social needs cannot be comprehensively addressed.

The school's philosophy is that communication and learning disabilities must be viewed in the context of the whole child and that self-confidence, self-esteem and achievement in life come from a belief in one's ability to face and overcome obstacles thereby the school motto:

Achievement over Adversity

The aim of Glenleighden is to prepare students, wherever possible, to return to mainstream schools. Intensive attention is given to social education as well as to academic and therapy needs. Support for students who have made the transition into mainstream schools is available through CHI.L.D.'s Outreach Program.

The Glenleighden School is a world leader, bringing hope to families by opening up the world for children with language disorders.

Early Childhood

Children entering the Early Childhood program have undergone a thorough screening process, with a full diagnostic assessment by the multidisciplinary team occurring on school entry.
This is a crucial time in terms of diagnosis and appropriate and sufficient intervention. The nature of language disorders is such that children have often been misdiagnosed or have no clear diagnosis prior to contact with CHI.L.D. Association. For some children, the diagnostic process will continue while enrolled in the Early Childhood Program.

The Glenleighden School Early Childhood program caters for students from preparatory year and sometimes year 1 and is based on the QSA Early Years Curriculum Guidelines. It is play based and caters for individual needs, with IEPs occurring 6 monthly to annually. What defines it as a best practice model for children with language disorders is its high staff to student ratios, the multidisciplinary team and the careful attention to individual student needs.

Junior School

By the time children are eligible to attend compulsory schooling (ie turning 6 years of age before July of that year) they will be required to have a formal diagnosis of their disability, verified by ISQ, and an EAP identifying learning support required. Children may enter Junior School from other schools, and the program, also based on the Early Years Curriculum Guildelines, caters for students from year 1 to approximately year 3 or 4. Junior School also has a high staff to student ratio, utilises a multidisciplinary team and hold IEPs at least annually (and more often if requested). Children are beginning to cope with more formal expectations of school and are encouraged to gradually develop their independence in a safe and supported environment

Middle School

Middle School students range in age from approximately year 4/5 to year 7, with a focus on the P-10 curriculum (QSA) and the KLAS (with exception of LOTE). Middle school is a critical time for developing formal literacy and numeracy skills, increasing independence and aiming for external secondary school placements when possible and appropriate. The onset of puberty makes this age group particularly vulnerable to social and peer issues. Often behavioural difficulties can therefore require particular understanding of their competing needs.

Senior School

The Glenleighden School offers an alternative program for secondary aged students who are not ready to access a mainstream setting and/or whose interests are better served, due to the nature of their language and associated impairments, by focusing on contextual and experiential based learning. The Glenleighden School does not offer subjects which can contribute to a Queensland Certificate of Education or an OP ranking. However, it offers individualised programs with a focus on literacy and numeracy and other skills for daily living and work with a statement of learning and a Qld Certificate of Individual Achievement. Student’s mental health and emotional well-being is also of crucial importance in the program.

Helping children to speak ... and find their voice

School Structure

Early Childhood

Junior School

Middle School

Senior School