Victoria's education sector is facing renewed scrutiny after the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) conducted unannounced inspections at two campuses of Fitzroy Community School in inner Melbourne on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.

According to ABC News, authorised officers visited the school's campuses in North Fitzroy and Thornbury at approximately 11am. The regulator was reportedly checking whether teachers were properly registered and whether enough staff were supervising students.

The inspections come amid continuing investigations into allegations concerning child safety, physical discipline and historical sexual abuse at the alternative primary school. These matters involve allegations and ongoing regulatory inquiries; they should not be treated as proof that every allegation has been established.

The Victorian Institute of Teaching has powers that allow authorised officers to enter relevant premises, search them and seize documents. Its involvement highlights the importance of ensuring that schools meet their obligations regarding teacher registration, student supervision and safeguarding.

The school has attracted attention because of its distinctive educational approach and long history in Melbourne. Fitzroy Community School was founded in 1976 by Faye Berryman and Philip O'Carroll. Over the years, it developed into a small school operating across two campuses.

However, recent regulatory action has placed its governance and child-protection arrangements under increased scrutiny. ABC News reported that the school's co-founder, Faye Berryman, had previously been suspended from teaching on an interim basis. Her son Nick Berryman has also been suspended, while former principal Tim Berryman remains under investigation.

The latest inspections are intended to establish whether the school is meeting relevant requirements. Checks involving teacher registration and staffing levels are particularly important because children depend on schools to provide appropriate supervision and a safe learning environment.

The developments have also affected the school community. Parents may be concerned about the investigations, the future of the school and the steps being taken to protect students. At the same time, regulatory authorities must assess the evidence carefully and follow the appropriate processes before reaching conclusions.

The school has previously said it is working with regulatory authorities and an independent investigator to review the allegations. ABC News reported that the Victorian government had been contacted for comment following the latest inspections.

The next stage will depend on what investigators find and whether further regulatory action is considered necessary. The outcome could have implications for the school's operations, its staff and the confidence of families choosing independent education.

For now, the inspections mark another significant development in a continuing investigation into school governance and child safety in Victoria. The central issue remains whether the appropriate safeguards are in place to protect students and ensure that schools comply with their legal responsibilities.