Funding for 34 Queensland state schools to replace classrooms with new FlexiSpaces, primary schools added to program

Education Minister Di Farmer will announce the expansion of the program which targets kids regularly wagging school, students with learning difficulties, and children with mental health issues. SEE THE LIST

Youth Justice and Education Minister Di Farmer. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire.

A further 34 state schools have been approved for funding to transform traditional classrooms into alternative learning spaces which are proven to re-engage students regularly wagging school, and support children with learning difficulties.

There are already 52 state schools with FlexiSpaces, which see traditional classrooms transformed into ‘softer’ spaces by replacing chairs and desks with bean bags, bringing in specialist teachers, or dividing the room into separate areas for different needs.

The state government is investing $45 million to expand the FlexiSpaces rollout, which is part of the $288 million package announced last year aimed at supporting at-risk students.

Education Minister Di Farmer will make the announcement on Wednesday, and notably, state primary schools will be included in the FlexiSpaces program for the first time.

Townsville State High School is one of the new additions. Principal Murray James saw the difference FlexiSpaces can make at his old school – Heatley Secondary College.

“We identified 10-12 students from Year 7 who were moving into Year 8, so we put these 10 targeted kids in with a regular Year 8 class. They were kids with disabilities, or students who had intensive learning support needs,” he said.

“It was about setting up an environment in which ADHD kids could stand up if they wanted, there was a little kitchenette so they could access drink breaks, and there were different furniture – not traditional chairs and desks, but rather soft furnishings and whiteboard tables.

“That class at Heatley became the highest-performing class in terms of their learning outcomes, compared to other cohorts.”

North Lakes State College converted three classrooms into a FlexiSpaces. Principal John Thornberry said the aim was to target children refusing, or rarely, coming to school.

“We had 12-20 kids in there at a time with hand-picked staff who helped to build those relationships and catch them up on the gaps in their learning,” he said.

“For us, it was about the school refusers, many of whom had stopped coming to school regularly as a result of mental health issues or anxiety.

“Some of those students were only coming to school three days per month, now they’re here three days per week.”

Education Minister Di Farmer said FlexiSpaces are a crucial part of early intervention.

“The primary schools that opt to be in the program will receive Departmental support to design and adapt their FlexiSpaces to best suit primary-age children,” she said.

“The children will be able to maintain connection with the rest of the school, they will attend

classes with their peers, whole-of-school activities and routines, while receiving the

support they need to thrive.”

“It’s important to remember, not all students who are disengaged from school are in the

youth justice system, but every child in the youth justice system is disengaged from

School.”

There are plans to announce a further 24 state schools to be added to the FlexiSpaces program in Term 3 this year, which will take the total number of schools involved to over 100.

The first round of new FlexiSpaces will be located in the following 34 state schools:

Mackay Northern Beaches State High School

Gladstone State High School

Lockyer District State High School

Nanango State High School

Tara Shire State College

Trinity Bay State High School

Tully State High School

Pine Rivers State High School

Tullawong State High School

Bracken Ridge State High School

Brassall State School

Kruger State School

Laidley State High School

Redbank Plains State High School

Victoria Point State School

Hervey Bay State High School

Nambour State College

Urangan State High School

Northern Beaches State High School

Townsville State High School

Beenleigh State High School

Coombabah State High School

Nerang State High School

Pacific Pines State High School

Pimpama State Secondary College

Cloncurry State School

Woorabinda State School

Normanton State School

Mornington Island State School

Cherbourg State School

Murgon State High School

St George State High School

Cunnamulla State School

Tagai State College