Hobart’s Indie school is school like you’ve never seen it

If you hated school, Tasmania's newest education facility may be for you. There are no classrooms, no uniforms and no questions when you rock up late.

THERE are no uniforms, no classrooms and no suspensions.

At Tasmania’s newest school, students are accepted as they are – without judgment or frowns when they turn up late.

“If a school student arrives late, we don’t ask why – we give them a cup of tea,” campus principal Tracey Jacobsen said.

The new campus, on Main Rd, Glenorchy, is called the Indie School.

There are more than 10 Indie School campuses in NSW and Victoria. The first Tasmanian campus gained accreditation in December and is set to open its doors next month.

The non-government schools are targeted at teenagers considered educationally “at risk”, offering an alternative senior-secondary option for students aged 15-19, to help them through years 9 to 12.

The school has five enrolments so far, and the capacity for 70 in total.

Ms Jacobsen said some of those who had already enrolled had not been attending school for a year or more.

“Generally our students would be those who are disengaged from the mainstream education process, and they might not have been attending for a period of time.”

She said the school was designed to be a comfortable space, specifically to help those apprehensive to step foot into a traditional school because of issues such as past bullying, anxiety or repeated failure.

“We’ve tried very hard to create an environment that is safe,” she said.

Tracey Jacobsen campus principal and lead teacher with Lauren Watson, teacher, at the new Indie School Hobart campus. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

The Indie School has found a home inside a former furniture store, and the large open space has been filled with dining tables, couches and computers.

A large warehouse area at the back is being transformed into a multi-use space with an area for woodwork and mechanics, as well as gym equipment, table tennis and a pool table.

There are breakfast supplies, basics for making lunchtime toasted sandwiches, tea and coffee.

There is even a more gentle approach to the school week, which is four days long and runs from 9am to 1.45pm.

Teacher Lauren Watson, one of five qualified teachers on the site, said students were able to build up to the full load at their own pace.

Ms Watson said the teachers went by first names, to nurture mutual respect and break down barriers.

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“We are creating a culture of inclusion,” she said.

Ms Jacobsen said it was essential the students did not feel judged or rejected.

Despite the non-traditional nature of the school, students can still achieve their TCE, as well as other officially recognised qualifications.

The school offers the prescribed Australian Curriculum, but tailors it to suit individual students.

“We start from a position of students’ strengths and interests and we try to tailor what we will be doing around those strengths and interests,” she said.

Ms Jacobsen said there were many reasons students may have not been able to remain at a traditional school setting.

“There are some students with significant anxiety issues which makes traditional learning environments uncomfortable for them,” she said.

Ms Jacobsen said students who had experienced bullying might also struggle in mainstream schools.

Although it is an independent school, there are no fees. Ms Jacobsen said the skeleton staff allowed the school to operate on government funding alone.

Students can apply directly to attend, or can be referred by professionals who may be working with the youth.

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