Woodline Primary School in Ceres applying for higher student, staff numbers

An alternative primary school set up by the wife of Cotton On billionaire Nigel Austin has become so popular it is hoping to expand.

Woodline Primary School in Ceres is applying to increase its student and staff numbers allowance amid a growth in popularity. Picture: Alison Wynd

An alternative primary school set up by the wife of Cotton On billionaire Nigel Austin has become so popular it is hoping to expand.

Context Planning Pty Ltd, on behalf of Woodline Primary School on Barrabool Rd, has applied to amend the school’s planning permit to allow for 52 additional students and a further 15 staff.

This would bring the total number of students to 150, while the staff number would be doubled to 30.

The permit in its current state allows for a maximum of 98 children to attend the co-educational school, and a maximum of 15 staff at any one time.

Under the amendment, no additional buildings or amenities would be needed to accommodate for the extra bodies, the application states.

Woodline Primary School, set on a 20-acre farm in the Geelong hinterland, has nearly doubled in size since opening in 2021. Picture: Supplied

It also states the increase of student and staff numbers would serve the needs of the local community.

Woodline Primary was opened in 2021 by founders Melanie Austin – wife of Cotton On founder Nigel Austin – and Lael Stone, as an independent, non-denominational alternative to mainstream schooling.

Principal Claire Bartlett said the school had nearly doubled each year, with 2023 welcoming Woodline’s first group of year 6 students.

She said the hope was that an increase in enrolments would allow the school to offer one group per year level.

Woodline Primary School co-founders Melanie Austin and Lael Stone. Picture: Woodline Primary website

“Once we have the seven groups, we will be at our maximum enrolments,” Ms Bartlett said.

“With a waiting list in most year levels, I am often asked why we won’t expand the number of groups.

“While we are thrilled with the interest, to ensure we deliver our philosophy, it is imperative that we stay a small school.

“One of our core values is connection and we achieve this with a small number of enrolments and a low team to child ratio.”

An analysis in March found Woodline’s student-teacher ratio was 7.1, among the best in the Geelong region.

Ms Bartlett said the decision to have a smaller sized school was made with respect to neighbours and to reduce the footprint on the environment.

She said post-Covid, leaders believed schools and families were seeing the need to increase their focus on wellbeing, which Woodline provided.

“We are a school that places wellbeing at the centre, and offers an innovative pedagogy that values play, autonomy, outdoor learning, experiences and projects,” she said.

“Our environments are safe and supportive where children are free to be themselves and are honoured for the individual they are.”

Public comment for Woodline Primary’s application is open for public comment on Geelong council’s website.

Originally published as Woodline Primary School in Ceres applying for higher student, staff numbers