About My Independent School
Supporting young people experiencing barriers to education, wellbeing, and participation.
Why We Exist
My Independent School exists to support young people who experience barriers that can make participation and success in conventional educational environments difficult.
Young people come to MIS with different experiences, strengths, and circumstances. Some live with disability or additional learning needs. Others have experienced disrupted schooling, disengagement, social or emotional challenges, disadvantage, or circumstances that have affected their ability to participate fully in education. For these young people, a conventional approach to schooling may not provide the level of individualisation, flexibility, relationships, or support they need. MIS provides another pathway.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to improve the wellbeing, educational participation, and future opportunities of young people experiencing barriers to education. We seek to reduce those barriers by providing a safe, inclusive, and individualised educational environment in which young people can:
- Experience safety and belonging;
- Reconnect with education;
- Receive support responsive to their individual needs;
- Build confidence and positive relationships;
- Develop educational and life capabilities;
- Achieve meaningful qualifications and learning outcomes; and
- Establish pathways toward further education, training, employment, and community participation.
Our Cohort & Approach
Who We Support
MIS supports young people in Years 7–12 whose circumstances may include:
- Disability and additional learning needs;
- Social, emotional, or behavioural barriers to participation;
- Disrupted or unsuccessful previous educational experiences;
- Disengagement or risk of disengagement from education;
- Difficulty participating successfully in conventional school environments;
- Disadvantage or complex personal circumstances affecting education; and
- A need for greater individualisation, adjustment, and support to participate meaningfully in education.
We recognise that no two young people are the same. Our approach begins with understanding the individual rather than expecting the individual to fit a predetermined model of education.
How We Help
Education is at the centre of what we do, but our approach recognises that meaningful educational participation is connected to wellbeing, relationships, belonging, and individual circumstances.
Our staff work collaboratively with students, families, and, where appropriate, external professionals and services to identify barriers and establish the support required for successful participation.
This can include individualised learning programs, reasonable adjustments, smaller and supportive learning environments, relationship-based practice, wellbeing support, and carefully planned pathways.
The Difference We Seek to Make
Our goal is not simply for a young person to attend school. We want young people to experience belonging, participate meaningfully in education, recognise their strengths, and leave MIS with greater confidence, capability, and opportunity than when they arrived.
We believe education can transform a young person's future when the barriers preventing participation are understood and appropriately supported.
