Launceston Big Picture School deemed a success after pilot program

An at-school, interest-based learning program where students spend part of the week with a business or mentor is out of its pilot phase and has been given the tick by education experts.

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THE successes of alternative learning models being delivered through the Launceston Big Picture School pilot program have been highlighted in an evaluation report by the Peter Underwood Centre.

The Big Picture Education Model offers personalised, interest based learning for students seeking opportunities they might not get in the mainstream system.

The report found Invermay school’s 90 students regularly connected with “real-world mentors” and learnt in a “small, supportive environment”.

Education minister Jeremy Rockliff said the rigorous and highly personalised approach to education combined academic work with real-world learning.

Launceston Big Picture School Building facade.

“It focuses on educating one student at a time and places the student, their passions and their interests, at the centre of the learning process,” he said.

“The evaluation focused on whether the Big Picture Education design was being successfully implemented, if students were learning in the broadest possible sense and how students’ learning would support them after they leave school.”

Mr Rockliff said the report indicated the Launceston Big Picture School had successfully established itself in the education landscape and moved beyond the pilot phase.

Nine opportunities for future focus were identified.

The Department of Education will establish a Reference Group to consider the recommendations and to work collaboratively with Big Picture Education Australia.

Minister for Education and Training Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Zak Simmonds

A number of Big Picture programs and classes are also currently offered at Sorell School, Kingston High School, Ogilvie High School and Montrose Bay High School.

Launceston Big Picture School principal Adrian Dean said staff would celebrate and build on the successes.

Mr Dean said the school was “growing significantly” with interest from the wider community and was looking to increase its enrolments.

He said the students enjoyed the opportunity to learn outside the school building, with 1-2 days each week spent with a business or community mentor.

More information about the Big Picture Education Model can be found at bigpicture.org.au.