Kimberley School of the Air (KSOTA) is located in the West Kimberley town of Derby. Derby is approximately 3000km north of Perth. KSOTA services children from geographically isolated locations across the Kimberley region. KSOTA provides quality education to children from cattle stations, remote Indigenous communities, tourist facilities, roadhouses, National Parks and travelling families. We are part of the SOTA network of five schools that cover Western Australia.

KSOTA began in 1960 at the Royal Flying Doctor Service base at Derby Airport before transferring to facilities at Derby District High School. In 2002 the school moved into a purpose designed facility with cutting-edge educational technology.

The model of Distance Education employed by the five Schools of the Air in WA is iconic in the history of the Australian Outback. In the past, lessons were delivered by radio. Today, teachers use an internet conferencing platform, WebEx, to deliver multiple air-lessons every day. Teachers are supported at each site by a Home Tutor. Teachers and Home Tutors are in regular contact about each student’s learning journey, with the aim to provide a seamless school environment where students can flourish.

An integral component of KSOTA is our whole school camps, home visits and regular assemblies – all of which our students and families eagerly await. Opportunities such as these help us to share and celebrate our successes, build community, and foster pride in our school. Our school is committed to providing an environment that develops positive attitudes towards learning; where students have the support and opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to achieve their potential.