Drayton State School is sited within the traditional lands of the Western Wakka Wakka people. Pastoral settlement of the Darling Downs commenced in 1840, and  Drayton (initially called "The Springs") began as a camping site near the intersection of Eton Vale, Westbrook and Gowrie pastoral stations, for those travelling from the northern Darling Downs to Brisbane.
The location of Drayton State School is significant because it sits within the traditional lands of the Western Wakka Wakka people, who have been living in this area for generations. The area's history as a pastoral settlement and its role as a stopping point for travelers from the northern Darling Downs to Brisbane are also important aspects of its context.