Student diversity

Diversity is one of the key strengths of Queensland’s independent schooling sector. Independent schools offer parents a choice in the education of their children. They enable families to select schools that best serve their child’s needs.

Independent schools educate a diverse range of students, with more than 124,000 students enrolled across Queensland at independent schools. Independent schools provide a range of programs and services catering to student diversity, and are:

• giving students a head-start in their career
• supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
• re-engaging young Queenslanders in education
• supporting students with English as an additional language or dialect
• supporting students with disability.  

Download ISQ's Diversity in Independent Schools to find out more about each of these areas of student diversity. 

Giving students a head-start in their career

Queensland’s independent schools are giving their students a head-start in their career. An increasing number of schools are engaging students in vocational learning and vocational education and training (VET) certificates, enabling young people to develop the knowledge and skills that are the stepping stones for a range of post-school destinations including work, training and further education.

Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students

Queensland’s independent schools are implementing a range of strategies to improve educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and to foster greater understanding and respect for Indigenous peoples and cultures. 

Re-engaging young Queenslanders in education

Students who have disengaged from mainstream schooling are returning to learning with the support of a growing network of specialist schools dedicated to helping young Queenslanders turn their lives around.

Supporting students with English as a second language or dialect

Becoming proficient in English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) can present challenges for some students as they are expected to learn in English, even if they are not yet competent in the English language. Independent schools provide additional support to ensure EAL/D students can participate in activities while they develop their English-speaking skills. 

Supporting students with a disability

Queensland independent schools cater for a diverse range of students, including those with a disability. Schools implement programs and strategies, in consultation with parents, to enable all students to participate in school activities, access the curriculum and achieve learning outcomes.