Young St, Waterloo: Plans for six-storey independent school to be built at Sydney Film School site

A massive new multi-storey primary and secondary school could be built at the heart of a major housing precinct in Sydney’s inner west. See the plans.

A vision for a massive new high-rise school – catering to 800 students – has been unveiled for a major growth precinct in Sydney’s inner west.

Developers Sustainable Development Group revealed plans for a new kinder to Year 12 independent school at 242-258 Young St, Waterloo, amid plans to see 30,000 new homes built across major growth precincts in Green Square, Beaconsfield, Zetland, Alexandria, Rosebery and Waterloo by the end of the decade.

Plans have been revealed for a new independent school at 242-258 Young Street, Waterloo

Planners for the project, which is set to include a hall and community hub alongside the six-storey school at the Sydney Film School site, said the school-aged population is set to increase by 76 per cent by 2031.

The Waterloo Metro Quarter housing precinct.

The Woolworths Waterloo mixed-use precinct.

“There is a gap in existing or planned independent schools in the area, with a projected rate of nine private school places per 100 school aged children in the Waterloo catchment area in 2031,” the planner said. “Subject to planning, the school could be operational by the start of the 2028 or 2029 school year.”

The masterplan for the site earmarks the creation of a “contemporary education hub” at the site.

“Co-location of the independent K-12 school, and Sydney Film School, will create a unique education hub.

“There would be potential for the school to benefit from the media focus of the film school – which is currently not offered anywhere else at high school level.

Plans have been revealed for a new independent school at 242-258 Young Street, Waterloo

“The K-12 education model will also allow students to complete their primary and secondary education pathway on the same site, minimising disruption to regular routines.”

The expansive new school would be built near the future Woolworths Waterloo housing, commercial and retail precinct at 923–935 Bourke St, as well as the Danks St South Precinct.

The Dank St housing precinct in Sydney's inner city.

The Central Sydney Planning Panel, chaired by City of Sydney mayor Clover Moore, approved the progression of the school plans to Planning Minister Paul Scully for “Gateway Determination”.