Enrolments at Queensland's independent special assistance schools have increased sevenfold over the past decade. newsiviewlistenLoading ABC NewsNews HomeEnrolments soar at Queensland's alternative schools as families choose flexible educationShareShare articleEnrolments soar at Queensland's alternative schools as families choose flexible educationBy Janel Shorthouse. Joshua Houston and his mother Alicia Kerkow say they smile a lot more now. For 16-year-old Joshua Houston, going to school used to mean wondering what might go wrong that day.