Piper-Lily didn’t think she would graduate. Now she’s off to university

November 12, 2026 — 6:00amPiper-Lily Daniel received her university offer on her mum’s birthday in early October.“She really wanted me to finish year 11 and 12,” Daniel said.About 18 months ago, Daniel didn’t believe she would.BUSY School Brisbane City year 12 student Piper-Lily Daniel has accepted an early offer from Griffith University.Catherine StrohfeldtNow she’s weeks away from graduating from The BUSY School Brisbane City campus, a special assistance school designed to help disengaged young people.The Fortitude Valley school runs a different curriculum to a standard high school, steering students towards employment rather than grades, and focusing on rebuilding trust.Its roughly 250 students attend classroom lessons for the equivalent of three days each week, studying applied subjects in English, maths, and social work.The students’ remaining two school days are spent in industry settings pursuing vocational education and training (VET) subjects, which can sometimes include courses on the campus.About 86 per cent of students complete this subject mix, making them eligible for a Queensland Certificate of Education.Daniel was among this number, having completed certificate courses in hospitality and social work.The year 12 student said her new school environment had not been a cure-all for the barriers she had faced in her previous traditional high school.“I still struggle to do schoolwork in the school environment, but at my last school, I would just give up ... now, I get all my assessments done,” she said.The BUSY School’s focus on rebuilding trust in education systems was echoed across the sector.“I think when they see that we actually do support them, and then we follow through with those supports, they actually do feel a sense of safety that they potentially haven’t felt before,” said Ashleigh Maas, a teacher at Y Schools Queensland, another alternative education provider.Most schools offered wraparound student support, with teacher-student ratios typically falling below state standards, as many teachers were accompanied by a youth worker.Y Schools Queensland secondary teacher Ashleigh Maas.Catherine StrohfeldtStudents are also supported by on-site counsellors and pathways officers, and many campuses offer free food to students, including breakfasts.At The BUSY School campuses, uniforms, classroom supplies and school-owned laptops are provided for free, and the school charges no fees to families.A McCrindle report commissioned by industry body Independent Schools Queensland surveyed 410 families and 271 alumni from several dozen special assistance schools across the state.About 60 per cent said their school had an extremely or very positive index on either their wellbeing or that of their young person, which included impacts to their safety, relationships, and health.Among parents, 82 per cent said they also felt they were respected and understood by school staff.South Brisbane mother Sharni Welsh said teachers at Y Schools South Brisbane had spoken highly of her son, Levi, since he joined in term 2 this year.“It’s nice to have other people see in Levi what I do,” she said.Y Schools Queensland year 8 student Levi Welsh.Catherine StrohfeldtThe year 8 student said he had rekindled an interest in school, enjoying maths, English, science, and geography.Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.More:High schoolFor subscribersEducationBrisbaneSchoolsFrom our partners