Indie Schools to open in Launceston, Kingston in 2023

“Can’t keep up with demand”: Two new schools aimed at nurturing high school students back into mainstream education, with on-site welfare officers and small classroom sizes, will open.

Cindy Johnston will be the inaugural head of school for Indie School Launceston, opening in February 2023. Picture: Supplied

Two new schools that aim to help teenagers re-engage with education, featuring smaller classroom sizes, a permanent on-site welfare officer, individual learning plans and flexible modes of study, will open in Tasmania next year.

Indie Schools, of which there are about 20 Australia-wide, are currently located at Glenorchy, Sorell, Devonport and Burnie.

From February next year that number in Tasmania will swell to six, with the addition of schools at Launceston and Kingston, catering for students in Years 9–12.

Indie School Sorell head of school Lauren Watson will also lead the new Kingston location, which is currently under construction at Mertonvale Court.

She said the new schools were because the organisation “can’t keep up with demand” for its model of teaching.

Indie School Sorell head of school Lauren Watson, who will also lead the new Kingston campus. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Indie Schools typically have a full-time intake of between 70–90 students.

Ms Watson said there had already been a dozen EOIs for Kingston, with the first year’s intake likely to number about 30–40.

The Kingston campus will follow the lead of the other Greater Hobart Indie Schools, in that it will have six, six-week terms, rather than four, ten-week terms. The organisation implemented the new timetable last year and is collecting data to see whether student outcomes are improved by it.

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Meanwhile, Indie School Launceston will be led by Cindy Johnston, the former principal of Campbell Town High School.

It will be located at 93 Paterson St, the current location of Head to Health, which is relocating in January to a purpose-built centre at 62–64 Canning St.

The site of the new Indie School Launceston, formerly occupied by Launceston Head to Health. Picture: Stride

Ms Johnston said the goal of Indie Schools, which opened their first campuses in 2019, was to rebuild the confidence of teenagers such that they could re-engage with mainstream education, or alternatively achieve a level of literacy and numeracy such that they are ready for the workplace.

“Coming out of Covid, there is a growing need with kids finding it really hard to re-engage back in regular schools. Indie Schools are another layer, it’s got very specific trauma-informed practices and structures,” Ms Johnston said.

“Some students just need a different environment.”

Indie Schools feature small classroom sizes, an on-site welfare officer at all times, individual learning plans tailored to students’ needs, and flexible modes of study.

“Generally, our students would be those who are not currently engaged in the education process, and they may not have been attending school for some time,” said David Pickett, Executive Principal of Indie Schools.

EOIs are currently open for both new campuses.