It can be revealed the state government budget next week will include a $10 million funding award to Ballarat Specialist School.

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle made the announcement on Thursday morning at the school.

The funding will be used to upgrade the school with new, permanent buildings planned to be added to the site.

Principal Karen Biggelaar, who was unaware of the upcoming announcement, said she was "a little bit speechless" when hearing the news on Thursday morning. She had thought the school might be receiving funds for one of two capital works projects they had submitted a funding application for.

When the sum was announced, Ms Biggelaar held her a hand across her mask in astonishment, then wiped away a tear.

"I would just like to say an absolutely huge thank you to Juliana and Michaela and the state government of Victoria for prioritising the learning needs of our wonderful students," she said.

"They are some of the most disadvantaged young people and we have got amazing plans for what we are going to do at Ballarat Specialist School - so we are extremely excited."

IN OTHER NEWS

There is a further $705,000 set aside for planned maintenance.

Ms Addison said: "I cannot think of a school in Ballarat more worthy to receive these funds. It's a reflection of the high regard we hold the Ballarat Specialist School in.

"We know the kids are getting the best teaching and now they are going to have the best facilities to match."

The school caters for the needs of children with intellectual disabilities ranging from mild to complex. Students are aged between three and 18 years old.

There are around 450 students at the school, as well as 21 children in the kindergarten, with more than 220 staff employed.

The school was founded in 1994.

Ms Biggelaar added: "We were doing a plan to modernise the school and change all of our specialist areas - and we were trying to break it into stages where we could apply for funding.

"Now we might have a possibility of doing all of that work in one large stage, which is magnificent. And of course we'll also support the economy and the Ballarat community, so that's fantastic as well."

Plans include developing the school's therapy room. a new kindergarten building, installing roof solar panels, fixing the roof of the hydrotherapy pool, getting some new change rooms, as well as a new bus port and improving accessibility to the school bus service on the Norman Street campus.

The president of the school council Tania Flowers, who has a 16-year-old child at the school, also welcomed the announcement saying it was "fantastic news for parents."

In a statement, Ms Addison said the school was an invaluable part of Ballarat.

"Families around our region have moved to Ballarat to be part of this nurturing school community," she said.

Ms Settle said: "These funds mean that the school's facilities will reflect the dedication and commitment of the staff at Ballarat Specialist School and provide the kids with a safe and nurturing environment."

The funding announcement follows a promise of $6.7 million for the creation of a National Photography Centre at the old Union bank building earlier this week.

The full state budget will be announced on Tuesday November 24.

If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.