Plans to rebuild school from the ground up, better than ever

Grand plans for a Moreton Bay school have been revealed, as part of a move to almost double its student capacity.

The Department of Education has revealed plans to demolish and replace a Moreton Bay special schools' administration building and learning centre in a bid to increase student capacity as demand in the catchment grows.

The department has submitted an application to demolish Woody Point Special Schools’ existing administration building and other learning and ancillary buildings, to construct a new two-storey learning centre with administration facilities, 10 learning spaces, new resource centre, gym and multi purpose room and covered walkway from the new building to other parts of the school.

The proposed works would increase student enrolment by 96 students to a total of 186 students.

The construction of a new administration building and 10 learning areas would see the six existing learning areas of the school replaced.

To maintain the existing staff to student ratio, the number of staff would also increase from 69 to 107 staff.

The plans include a new two-storey high learning centre with administration facilities, 10 learning spaces, new resource centre, one gym and multi purpose room and covered walkway from the new building to the spine of the school. Picture: Contributed

To accommodate the necessary enrolment demands in the short-term, additional temporary classrooms with amenities would be provided, however these classrooms and an enclosure under Block P would be removed upon completion of the proposed works.

The upgrades would include additional carparking areas at the Georgina Street frontage and towards the View Street entrance, as well as a new bus set-down area at Georgina Street.

The Woody Point Special School is a Prep to Year 12 school that meets the needs of students with disabilities in a rapidly growing area.

A concept drawing of the new learning centre at Woody Point Special School. Picture: Contributed

“Woody Point special School now requires additional facilities to continue to meet in catchment enrolment demands,” the application reads.

“To meet the forecasted growth, the DoE (Department of Education) proposes to deliver a new two-storey building accommodating learning areas and new administration facilities to ensure sufficient capacity to meet the forecast growth numbers at the school whilst also providing improved facilities for staff.

“Though delivery of this future scope will be dependent on future school population growth demands, detailed design, funding availability and programming.”

Enrolment demand has increased for Woody Point Special School, prompting the Education Department to take action. Picture: File

The school also accommodates the Woody Point Early Childhood Development Program, which has an enrolment of up to 90 students in various play groups across the week.