KEY COLLEGE

Principal: Lou Single

Key College is an accredited independent high school in Surry Hills in inner Sydney. It operates under the auspice of Youth Off the Streets (YOTS), a NSW charity, and is one of three educational programs operated by YOTS. As a registered independent school, Key College draws some national and state funding on a per capita basis, but is largely dependent on donations to and fund-raising by YOTS for its support.

Key College started in 1996 and caters for approximately nine to twelve students at any one time.

These students can be in Years 7 to 12, but the main pattern is for them to be in Years 9 to 12, and aged between 14 and 19 years. There are two full-time staff members who are "teachers, after-care workers, cleaners, cooks and office staff" - as well as being advisers, counsellors and friends to the students: at various times making appointments, arranging housing, advising about careers. "We are everybody!" they say. In addition, volunteer teachers conduct some specialist classes (eg in science) each week.