We want every child and young person in Tasmania to get the best possible start in life through access to a world-class education.
To help achieve this, the Tasmanian Government is working with our schools to implement education system reform aimed at improving outcomes for our learners across the State.
Announced today at Risdon Vale Primary School, the Department for Education, Children and Young People is trialling the internationally proven Multi-School Organisations (MSO) model.
Our MSO trial is a nation-leading and system-wide change to how we organise the education system. This reform aims to provide better support for teachers, school leaders and learners.
This reform is in line with the findings from the 2024 Independent Education Review (the Review) which recommended we rethink the way we deliver education.
The Review found there is merit in trialling MSOs in Tasmania. The MSO model is inspired by the successful Multi-Academy Trust model in England.
MSOs are strong ‘families’ of schools bound together through a united leadership team. This leadership team will be accountable for student results.
Three Tasmanian schools will take part in our first MSO from Term 1, 2026:
- New Town Primary School
- Moonah Primary School and
- Risdon Vale Primary School.
These three schools, as part of the MSO will act collectively and have tight alignment across curriculum, teaching and operations. They will retain their school identity, connections with their local community and their Principal.
This first MSO will expand gradually throughout the trial, with more schools being added.
It is intended that two more MSOs will be onboarded during the second half of 2026 for commencement in 2027.
Schools not yet in an MSO will be placed in groupings from Term 1 2026 under dedicated executive leadership.
These groupings will allow all schools across the state to benefit from closer leadership and support from 2026.
Implementation of this reform will be independently evaluated and continuous improvements made to ensure the model works for our schools and communities.
The trial is being delivered in partnership with McKinnon, an independent not-for-profit organisation, and with expert input from Grattan Institute.
For more information visit the Tasmanian Education System Reform information page.