Broadmeadows Special Developmental School

What Broadmeadows Special Developmental School does

Broadmeadows Special Developmental School (BSDS) is a Victorian Government-funded special developmental school serving students aged 5 to 18 with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities, located across two campuses in Broadmeadows, northern metropolitan Melbourne. The school operates a trans-disciplinary delivery model staffed by 25+ therapists and teaching personnel, with intentionally small class sizes of 6 to 12 students to support high-acuity learning needs. Curriculum integration is centred on specialised frameworks including DIR Floortime and the Learn to Play program, supplemented by an AUSTSWIM-certified swimming program and external partnerships with Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Oaklands Junction, Aitken College, and local sporting organisations.

The school's product portfolio extends beyond conventional classroom instruction to include a BTV (Broadmeadows Television) student broadcasting program for senior secondary students, a Mini Woolies community retail simulation for daily-living skills, and a structured secondary years pathway culminating in Year 12. This combination of therapeutic, vocational, and life-skills programming reflects an explicit focus on post-school transition outcomes for students with complex needs.

As a public-sector institution, BSDS operates on a government funding model rather than a commercial revenue model. Income is derived from the Victorian Department of Education's Student Resource Package and supplementary program allocations, with no tuition fees charged to families. The designated transport zone restricts enrolment to a defined geographic catchment, making the school the statutory provider of specialist developmental education for its eligible cohort in the surrounding area. The named principal is Megan Adams, and operations are governed by the Department of Education's policies for special schools.

Name

Broadmeadows Special Developmental School

Legal name

Broadmeadows Special Developmental School

Website

https://broadmeadowssds.vic.edu.au

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Broadmeadows Special Developmental School is a Victorian Government-funded school operating two campuses in Broadmeadows, Melbourne, delivering trans-disciplinary education and therapy to students aged 5-18 with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities, using frameworks including DIR Floortime and Learn to Play.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialized Programs & Classrooms (Autism, Emotional/Behavioral, Intellectual/Developmental, Multi-Disability) (EDAJAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Special Education Schools & Programs (EDAJAAAH), Transition Services (Secondary to Postsecondary/Employment, Life Skills) (EDAJAKAG)

Keywords

• Special developmental education
• Intellectual disability schooling
• Paediatric therapy services
• Individualized learning plans
• Trans-disciplinary education

Headquarters

HQ city

Broadmeadows

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Government Education Funding: Broadmeadows SDS is a Victorian Government school operating under government funding. The school does not charge tuition fees. Additional free services include initial psychological assessment on entry and school bus transport for eligible students within the designated transport zone.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Broadmeadows Special Developmental School is a Victorian Government school providing educational programs for primary and secondary students aged 5-18 with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and sensory or physical impairments. The school integrates core curriculum, specialist programs (such as Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Swimming, Bike Education, BTV, Mini Woolies, and Food Technology), and therapeutic services (Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Physiotherapy, DIR Floortime, Learn to Play) into Individual Learning Plans reviewed every six months. Tuition is not charged, with services funded by the Victorian Department of Education.

Product overview

Broadmeadows Special Developmental School is a Victorian Government school providing educational programs for primary and secondary students aged 5-18 with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities. The school operates a unified educational program consisting of core curriculum offerings (Literacy, Primary Years, Secondary Years) and specialist programs (Physical Education, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Swimming, Bike Education, School Concert, BTV, Food Technology, RDA, Mini Woolies, Incursions/Excursions). The school also provides integrated therapeutic services including Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Physiotherapy, and therapeutic programs such as DIR Floortime and Learn to Play. These components work together as a cohesive educational approach supporting students' individual learning plans with a trans-disciplinary team of educators and therapists.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Primary Years Program Educational program for students aged 5-12 focusing on communication development, multimodal communication, collaborative partnerships with families, and integrated inquiry learning.
• Secondary Years Program Educational program for students aged 12-18 focused on developing skills and knowledge to negotiate their environment as young adults, with emphasis on functional literacy, numeracy, communication, personal development, and transition planning.
• Literacy Program Literacy program based on Victorian Curriculum FLA-10, focusing on systematic synthetic phonics instruction, comprehension, reading for meaning, and technology use for writing and publishing.
• Physical Education Program Physical education program supporting students to move through games, physical activities, and sports to develop confidence, strength, endurance, and coordination. Includes Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) for Early Years and Specialized Coaching.
• Performing Arts Performing arts program focused on communication and self-expression through music, dance, and drama, including creative storytelling, role play, character development, and instrument playing.
• Visual Arts Art program providing opportunities to learn through exploration and creative use of diverse materials, supporting sensory stimulation, language development, social and communication skills, and self-esteem.
• Swimming Program Annual swimming program for selected student groups providing water safety and swimming skill development, guided by qualified AUSTSWIM instructors.
• Bike Education Bike program promoting physical activity, independence, and confidence while developing leisurely cycling skills, delivered in collaboration with PE teachers, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists.
• School Concert Annual School Concert held at Aitken College where students from all year levels perform for a live audience, celebrating their performing arts achievements.
• BTV (Broadmeadows Television) Student-led television program created by students to celebrate and share activities happening across the school community, including classroom projects, special events, and student achievements.
• Food Technology Hands-on cooking activities teaching healthy eating, kitchen safety, food preparation, and teamwork, building practical life skills supporting independence, communication, and fine motor skills.
• RDA (Riding Develops Abilities) Weekly horse riding program at Oaklands Junction with recreational riding, games, and hippotherapy, providing physical benefits (balance, strength, range of motion) and psychological benefits (well-being, confidence).
• Mini Woolies Fully operational mini supermarket on campus featuring registers, shelving, and grocery items, providing hands-on learning for numeracy, literacy, communication, money handling, and retail skills.
• Incursions and Excursions Hands-on learning experiences through excursions and school-based incursions including dramatic performances, play-based workshops, sports clinics, and multisensory learning activities.
• DIR Floortime Developmental, Individual-differences, and Relationship-based model used as a core teaching tool integrated within the curriculum, focusing on building emotional connections and meaningful social interactions as the basis for all learning.
• Learn to Play Therapy Therapy program building spontaneous pretend play ability in children, focusing on self-initiated play, sequencing, object substitution, role play, and social interaction using play.
• Occupational Therapy Supports students to participate in everyday life activities at school and in the community, addressing fine motor skills, handwriting, play skills, self-care, sensory processing, and community access.
• Speech Pathology Assesses and develops speech, language, literacy, and communication skills, supporting students using gestures, symbols, Key Word Sign and words, with focus on AAC, play skills, and mealtime support.
• Physiotherapy Supports students to develop and maintain movement and mobility, designing individual programs including activities such as climbing, jumping, throwing, and riding bikes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Individual Learning Plans reviewed every six months
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RDA (Riding Develops Abilities) at Oaklands JunctioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWeekly program where selected students participate in recreational horse riding, games, trunk control activities, structured riding classes, and hippotherapy at Oaklands Junction facility. Provides physical benefits including improved balance, strengthened muscles, stretching, increased range of motion, and sensory integration. Psychological benefits include general sense of wellbeing, increased interest, and improved self-confidence.
• AUSTSWIM InstructorscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerQualified AUSTSWIM instructors guide the annual swimming program for selected student groups. Instructors teach essential water safety and swimming techniques, and support development of independence with dressing skills in changing rooms.
• Aitken CollegeminorOthersThe Annual School Concert is held at Aitken College venue, bringing together students from all year levels to perform in front of a live audience.
• Various Sporting OrganisationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialised coaches from different sporting organisations are brought in to teach students about various sports. Coaches teach sport-specific skills as students participate in games, providing opportunity to practise cooperation skills in a fun sporting environment.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Belvoir Special School: Victorian Government special school serving students with intellectual disabilities across a similar age range; comparable operating model, funding base, and curriculum framework.
• Notting Hill Special School: Victorian state special school with comparable student cohort and curriculum specialisation in moderate to profound intellectual disability; similar funding and operating constraints.
• Frankston Special Developmental School: Victorian Government special developmental school in the same departmental system, serving a comparable student profile with embedded therapy and life-skills programs.
• Port Phillip Specialist School: Victorian state-funded specialist school for students with moderate to profound intellectual disability, offering parallel programs in therapy integration, life skills, and transition planning.
• Rosamond Special School: Victorian Government special school in the same state system with comparable student profile (moderate to profound intellectual disability) and similar trans-disciplinary therapy integration.
• Glenallen Special School: Victorian Government special developmental school operating with similar multi-campus structure and emphasis on embedded allied-health services for students with significant disabilities.
• Croxton Special School: Melbourne metropolitan Victorian Government special school with similar mandate, age range, and trans-disciplinary therapy-integrated curriculum for students with intellectual disabilities.

Broad incumbents

• Yooralla: Major Victorian disability services provider offering allied health, therapy, and education supports for children and adults with disabilities; overlaps with Broadmeadows SDS on therapy integration and special-needs population.
• Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia): Australia's largest autism-specific education provider operating a national network of schools; broader portfolio and national footprint but overlapping focus on autism-spectrum and special-education programming.
• Sunnyfield: National disability services organisation supporting people with intellectual disability across accommodation, day programs, and learning; adjacent to special education through its disability-services portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/broadmeadows-sds

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Broadmeadows Special Developmental School