Welcome to Village School
Nestled on eight leafy acres in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, Village School is an independent, democratic primary school where children are known deeply, respected genuinely, and encouraged to be themselves.
At Village School, learning is shaped with children rather than delivered to them. Guided by a democratic philosophy, students are actively involved in decisions about their learning, asking questions, making choices, reflecting on their progress, and pursuing ideas that hold meaning for them. Literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking are developed through inquiry, collaboration, and purposeful exploration, allowing children to build strong academic understanding in ways that feel relevant, connected, and engaging.
Our natural environment is a shared and valued learning space. Time spent caring for farm animals, learning outdoors, and participating in horse riding provides rich, real‑world contexts in which children can apply and extend their thinking. These experiences foster responsibility, resilience, and confidence, supporting children to see themselves as capable contributors who are trusted with real responsibility.
Our school culture is grounded in mutual respect, trust, and equality. Students and teachers address one another by their first names, and there are no “staff‑only” areas, every space belongs to our whole community. Children are recognised as competent and unique individuals, supported to take ownership of their learning and to progress at their own pace within a nurturing, non‑competitive environment.
Wellbeing sits at the heart of life at Village School and is understood as something children actively develop, rather than something that is managed for them. We prioritise emotional safety, strong relationships, and a sense of belonging, knowing that meaningful learning can only occur when children feel secure, heard, and valued. Through shared decision‑making and open communication, children learn to understand themselves, care for others, and navigate challenges with confidence and empathy.
I warmly invite you to book a tour and experience the unique spirit of Village School for yourself. Come and see how our student‑led, outdoor‑focused, and play‑based approach supports children to grow into confident, independent, and lifelong learners.
Warm regards,
Melissa Langford
Acting Principal, Village School
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Being a Village teacher means you haven’t forgotten how to play and have fun. They dress up, not only themselves but their classrooms as well, so that the children are surrounded by inspiration and creativity. Village School teachers know that relationships are the most important thing they need to develop with their students, if they are going to get the best out of them.
Children need to feel accepted and their actions validated in order to feel safe to take risks with their learning. Our teachers love watching their students learn and grow, and are also willing to give children the freedom to make their own decisions and take charge of their learning journey.
They’re there every step of the way, watching your child blossom, and tailoring learning activities to challenge and stretch them, and bring out their best.
And our administrative staff are always ready with a helping hand or a gentle suggestion to ensure that your child’s day is enjoyable and productive.
Our staff members are also real people, with their own lives and challenges, and work to model the kind of creative, open-minded, resourceful behaviours we aim to instil in your children.
We celebrate our staff for the wonderful, warm-hearted and adaptable human beings that they are, and appreciate all of their hard work to nurture your children and support our school.
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Village School expects their teachers to really engage with each student and form a relationship of trust and mutual respect. The teachers need to model this respectful behaviour to the children and that manifests itself in the following ways.
Teachers are addressed by their first name, exactly as the children are.
Teachers sit on the floor or on the couches with the children during class meetings run by the children.
Teachers must put up their hands to be able to speak in those meetings.
Teachers address the children in the same tone of voice that they would use to talk to their colleagues.
If it’s a hat wearing term, or the children need to don boots the teachers must do the same.
On dress up days, or other events teachers dress up accordingly.
Although teachers need to lead learning sessions they don’t spend a long time talking or lecturing to the children. Rather they will design their lessons to be interactive, child centred and emphasise the ‘doing’ aspect
Our teachers welcome mistakes, either their own or the children’s, as they see the value of learning through making mistakes ,and they need to communicate that to the children
We encourage open and honest interactions between adults and children, and we expect our teachers to honour the children’s ideas and feelings and work towards friendly collaborations between adults and children.
Our Village School Staff
The Village School Experience
“It’s so refreshing to be at a school which recognises that each learner is an individual who will develop at different speeds both academically and emotionally. Ashley’s positive, inclusive and flexible manner has given our child the invaluable opportunity to experience steady and transformative success that is sure to last a lifetime. We are forever grateful for the support we have received at Village school - thank you to everyone there who has helped make such a difference!”
“This is one of the best schools I’ve ever encountered. Children study in small classes with a lot of time for free activities and a big emphasis on independence and personal projects. Boundaries between age groups are intentionally blurred – older children are encouraged to be helping out the younger ones. There is a lot of outdoor area with various terrains. There are chickens and ponies that children learn to take care of (and ride!). Every time I come here I wish I was young enough to study in this school! One of the best markers for how kids themselves enjoy the school is that the ones who have already graduated keep coming to check things out, play with children, and to help out with school performance and smaller chores.”
“My daughter is now bouncing out of bed eager to go - a vast change from our usual mornings when she would cry her heart out begging not to go. She loves every aspect of Village, from the classrooms overall vibe, the indoor / outdoor flexible learning approach, the lack of uniform and homework (something I love too! ) to the way she plays with her peers. I’ve heard stories of her lunchtime play which have shown a vast array of imaginative, intricate play. Something I’ve never heard her report from mainstream school lunches; where it was just tag or play equipment. This in itself shows me what a wonderful time she has ahead of her at Village school.”
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Our Approach
We inspire young children to discover and learn in a supportive, caring environment.
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School Community
We welcome parents and friends to our close-knit, warm and engaged community.
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School History
Village School has been in operation since 1982, and although it has evolved over the years to suit the needs of the school community, it has successfully maintained its original vision.
The Village School Experience
“I went to village school from prep to grade 5. It was an amazing experience for me. Everyday was an adventure at village school. The teachers were lovely and always there to help out. And all the students learned at there own pace. Learning was always made fun and engaging. And village had there own farm and the students helped look after the animals. Village school is an amazing school. And I have so many fond memory’s from it.”
“If only all schools could be like Village School. A beautiful place where children learn the way they should. Where the teachers inspire your children to learn and explore, where the focus is on your child and not on naplan scores and big school numbers.”
“Five stars for Village School. It has reignited my daughter’s love and passion for learning, exploring and questioning. After being let down by mainstream education it’s very refreshing to find such a forward thinking place that’s not busy pushing your little ones into the same mold. A beautiful community. Thankyou village.”