Big Picture schools promote highly personalised learning by engaging students in real world activities and making connections to the communities in which they live. The Big Picture learning model promotes intellectual rigour as well as critical and creative thinking. Parental involvement is encouraged to support the learning and real life immersion of students.
All students have an individualised learning plan that includes their passions, interests and any future career and social goals. Their learning is then tailored to their needs with the emphasis on engagement in authentic educational opportunities.
To support their learning and passion, students are encouraged to undertake an internship. This involves students being placed for 1 or 2 days per week in a work place (or alternate learning environment) in an area identified in their learning plan. They are mentored within this real life environment by an expert who will support their learning in that chosen field. Together the student and the mentor develop a project that is of benefit to the organisation and supports the student's achievement of school based academic goals.
Assessment is authentically linked to what students learn. One form of assessment requires students to present a portfolio of their work and show what they have learnt at the end of each term. This presentation, known as an exhibition, is held before their teacher, family and selected peers.
