OneSchool Global to ‘modernise’ Toowoomba campus after lodging DA with council

A small Christian school has plans to “modernise” its learning experience for students, with a major revamp of its Toowoomba campus.

A small independent Toowoomba school has laid out plans for a major revamp in an effort to “modernise” the campus and educational focus.

OneSchool Global lodged an application last month with Toowoomba Regional Council for an extension to its grounds on Gerrard Street in Middle Ridge, with the goal of increasing its capacity from 80 to 120 students.

According to the report by Precinct Urban Planning’s Bayley Moore, the revitalisation would see the replacement of existing demountable buildings with “one architecturally-designed building which will accommodate all staff and students” that would be purpose-built for learning.

Concept art for One School Global's proposed expansion of its Toowoomba campus in Middle Ridge. Designs by DetailX.

The revamp would actually see the floor space of the school reduced as OneSchool Global further shifted its learning focus to online methods.

“The overall gross floor area (GFA) of the classroom buildings will reduce from 1,575 sqm to 1,307 sqm, reflecting the provision of a more modern, purpose-built building and a change in educational direction, including greater focus on online and streamed delivery methods,” the report said.

“It is noted that the school uses a number of shared and centralised teaching resources, including teachers, who are based elsewhere in Australia.

“This increases the subject offerings to students and means that the number of staff physically based on the site is less than a traditional schooling model.”

Concept art for One School Global's proposed expansion of its Toowoomba campus in Middle Ridge. Designs by DetailX.

Other reports related to stormwater and traffic management at the site were also submitted.

The council’s planning department has since lodged an information request, raising issues around vehicle access, parking and landscaping.

The officer also noted there was nearly 500 sqm difference between the school’s stated total GFA and what the council measured.

OneSchool Global is run by the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church Community, which has campuses across Australia and the world.

According to its website, the school’s vision is for students to be educated to be “life-ready”.

“To ensure our students are life-ready, we need to teach differently,” the website said.

“To be life-ready in today’s world, our students need to learn how to learn.

“To be life ready, our students need to develop independent and critical thinking skills, and skills such as teamwork and collaboration.

“We challenge traditional and dated pedagogy and embrace technology to deliver the best possible learning outcomes for our students.”

The Plymouth Brethren Christian church has faced scrutiny in recent years over the insular and tight-knit nature of its private schools, despite receiving tens of millions in government funding.

Locally, the church was rejected by the Toowoomba Regional Council in 2023 for a new church at Top Camp, following backlash from residents over a range of perceived issues.