Bates Drive Special School opened in 1973 and caters for students from four years to 18 years of age with significant intellectual disabilities and high support needs. The school’s programs are carefully structured, with each child having an individual education program designed to assist in priority areas of his or her development. As part of its interaction and socialisation program, students from Bates Drive Special School attend one day a week at two other local schools, Kareela Public School and Kirrawee High School. This interactive initiative is beneficial to all three schools. The school hosts visits from students involved in HSIE studies (relating specifically to child development and children with special needs), Loftus TAFE students involved in early childhood studies, and University of Sydney student teachers involved in the study of disabilities.