Northcote High School will receive funding from the Accessible Buildings Program, to improve school facilities and infrastructure that supports students and staff with disabilities, thanks to the Victorian Government.

Member for Northcote, Kat Theophanous, today announced that Northcote High School has been allocated $366,000 in funding from the Accessible Buildings Program to promote inclusive learning environments, through improved access to modern and functional learning spaces in Victorian schools.

The funding will assist Northcote High School in providing significant modifications across the school, to ensure students and staff have access to appropriate school facilities, in line with their peers and colleagues.

The program adjusts existing facilities to meet the needs of those with existing disabilities, as well as disabilities that occur as a result of an accident or the deterioration of existing conditions.

The Andrews Labor Government are committed to ensuring all students, no matter their circumstances, have access to a quality education. As part of this work, we are also investing in accessible play and learning spaces through our Inclusive School’s Fund.

Ms Theophanous said today that we are fortunate to have several inclusive play space projects completed or underway across the Northcote Electorate. This includes new outdoor inclusive play spaces at Thornbury Primary School and Westgarth Primary School which were announced earlier this year.

The accessible building upgrades at Northcote High School comes on top of over $8 million in capital investment announced as part of the 2021-22 Victorian Budget to deliver the next stage of the school’s masterplan. This funding will deliver a new modern multipurpose building with specialist STEM learning facilities.

These upgardes will mean one of Victoria’s largest secondary school’s will soon have the facilities they need to make sure students can create, thrive and explore – preparing them for the jobs of the future.

The Labor Government is building the Education State to ensure that every student can access a great local school and get a great education, with $15 million included in the Victorian Budget 2021/22 for the Accessible Buildings Program.

Northcote High’s upgrades are one of 13 capital works projects now complete, funded or underway in the Northcote Electorate. Since Ms Theophanous’ election in 2018, the electorate has seen over $78 million secured for school upgrades.

In the past seven years, the Victorian Government has invested more than $10.9 billion in building new schools and more than 1,700 school upgrades, creating around 13,500 jobs in construction and associated industries. It is now ahead of schedule in its commitment to open 100 new schools by 2026, with 62 new schools opening between 2019 and 2024.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“The program helps to ensure all Victorian government students of all abilities can get a great education and have access to modern, functional learning spaces to give them the best chance to succeed and thrive in school and in life.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Northcote Kat Theophanous

“Every child and young person deserves to access a great education – no matter their circumstances or needs.”

“The accessibility upgrades at Northcote High are essential to ensuring our local schools are a welcoming and supportive learning environment – and all our local young people have the skills they need to thrive’”.