Hokey pokey classrooms: Walls down, walls up, and shake them all about

A $112m renovation removed the walls at Picton High School to flip the school into an open learning space. Now, after just three years, the walls are going back up.

It was a $112m renovation that removed all the walls at Picton High School to flip the school into an open learning space. Now, after just three years, the walls are going back up, with the renovations labelled a failed experiment.

The state government will reverse a decision by the former Liberal government to redevelop Picton High School into a “fit for purpose” learning space void of walls, with a focus on open-plan classrooms.

In 2019, the Liberal state government announced a multimillion-dollar renovation to transform schools into open learning spaces.

But the rooms, designed to encourage collaboration and group work, caused chaos in the school instead.

The Sunday Telegraph understands that music lessons would often be held alongside maths classes, while truancy levels spiked, with kids simply walking out of class due to the lack of walls.

Picton High School. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Some classes were held inside stairwell spaces that operated as a thoroughfare.

Consultation with school leadership has begun to develop the scope of work for the removal of open-plan teaching spaces to create separate learning spaces. It is not yet clear how much the flip will cost.

The Department of Education will continue discussions with the school before the design is finalised in late 2024.

An artist’s impression of what the school was supposed to be like after the redevelopment.

Already, walls have gone up, with partitions installed in support classes, creating two more classrooms.

Deputy Premier and Education Minister Prue Car said the changes will make it easier for students to focus on their studies.

“We are removing Picton High School’s open teaching spaces and providing them with more functional, separate classrooms which will allow students to thrive and get the best education possible.

Education Minister Prue Car. Picture: NewsWIre/Tim Hunter

“This thought bubble by the former government was a lose-lose – it disrupted students learning and increased the workload for teachers.

“The additional walls will provide fit for purpose classrooms at Picton High School, making it easier for teachers to teach and students to focus on their studies.”

Independent Member for Wollondilly Judy Hannan said the original renovations were a “waste of money,” that should have instead been spent on building a second school.

“The students said it doesn’t work. It is disruptive, you might be in a classroom and have 20 students walk through. It doesn’t work for a normal education,” she said. “Getting the attention of students was impossible. They need normal facilities so they can blossom.”

However, shadow education spokeswoman Sarah Mitchell said the renovated classrooms were designed to provide both traditional classroom spaces and flexible learning areas.

“Several members of the school community at the time were involved throughout the building process,” she said. “During my visits to the school, including at the official opening in 2021, the feedback on the new buildings was positive. Teachers, students and staff were enjoying the facilities, and no concerns were raised with me at the time.”

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