New Crime Prevention School for Ipswich

The ‘Futures Academy’, to be delivered by Y Schools Queensland, will support students in Years 7 to 12 who have struggled to remain engaged in mainstream education, offering a more intensive and tailored approach.

It’s one of four new and expanded Crime Prevention Schools being delivered to help turn youth away from crime and give them a brighter future, as part of a plan to make Queensland safer.

Y Schools Queensland CEO Damien Foley said the academy is built on the belief that, while some students may not thrive in traditional schooling environments, all young people can succeed with the right support.

“We know that not all young people thrive in mainstream education environments, but all young people can thrive if they’re provided with the right support,” Mr Foley said.

The Futures Academy model is structured around three core pillars — wellbeing, academic learning, and vocational education and training — providing what Mr Foley describes as an “intensive support model” for students who may have previously disengaged.

A key point of difference will be the staffing model, with smaller class sizes and additional support embedded in every classroom.

“Every classroom has a teacher and a youth worker, and behind the scenes we employ specialists in vocational education and training, as well as people with qualifications in counselling and support,” he said.

“That’s a really important aspect and difference in the way that we do it.”

Y Schools Queensland CEO Damien Foley

The Queensland Government’s investment will help establish both the physical environment and the support systems required to deliver the program, with Foley saying the funding will allow the academy to be operational quickly.

“The funding assists us to provide support in regard to the environment we will set up, but also to initially get going and get going quickly,” he said.

“With that support across the next four years, we’ll hit the ground running in 2027.”

For Angela Waugh, Executive Principal of Y Schools Queensland’s network of campuses, the ability to individualise learning is central to the academy’s approach.

“What is different is that we’re able to really individualise young people’s learning and goals,” Ms Waugh said.

“It’s not all about academic achievement — it can be about personal achievement in terms of pathways, academics or wellbeing.”

Building trust can take time, but Ms Waugh said creating a safe and supportive environment is critical to helping students re-engage.

“It takes a little while to get them to a place where they feel safe, that they belong, and that it’s OK to connect with an adult,” she said.

Once that connection is established, however, the impact can be significant — both for students and educators.

“The most rewarding thing about this work is the connection,” Ms Waugh said.

“Once you overcome those barriers and form that relationship with a young person, the impact you can make is incredible.”

She said the smaller, more personalised setting of the Futures Academy provided opportunities for deeper engagement that were often harder to achieve in larger mainstream schools.

“As an educator, you don’t always get that opportunity in a bigger school to make that level of impact,” she said. “That’s what makes this work so special.”

The Futures Academy is expected to begin enrolling students later this year ahead of opening in 2027, as part of the Queensland Government’s broader investment in early intervention initiatives aimed at preventing youth disengagement and offending.

For more information on how Crime Prevention Schools are delivering safety where you live visit: Crime prevention schools | Department of Youth Justice and Victim Support

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Last updated:

17 August 2026