Morisset High School has become the latest Hunter region school to adopt the ‘Big Picture’ education system founded in the USA.

Starting next year, Morisset will offer two 17-person classes in its Big Picture program for students in years seven, eight and nine.

Co-founder of the program in the US, Elliot Washor, was at Morisset recently to help the school prepare for the transition.

“Too many of our young people are failing in our schools and this is because school is not relevant to their lives and to their needs, and they do not become engaged in learning,” Mr Washor said.

“In the US we’re in 200 public schools, and the results are higher attendance levels, a higher level of student engagement, and students who wouldn’t normally go on to college are now going.”

So what is the Big Picture all about, and how is it different?

The Big Picture motto sums it up: One student at a time in a community of learners.

The idea is to identify each student’s area of interest – their passion, if you like – then tailor a learning plan around it.

Take the example of a student who’s a big fan of, say, the soccer star David Beckham. The Big Picture advisor (formerly known as a teacher) would sit down with the student and devise a learning plan around all things David Beckham.

The science component of the plan might involve studying the trajectory of a soccer ball; an analysis of the great man’s goal-scoring statistics would involve some maths; and a review of the countries he has played soccer in might lead to work in geography, history or languages.

Then there’s the student with a passion for gardening.

Their tailored learning plan might involve a look at the history of a particular type of agriculture; the biology of the plant; chemistry work in soil analysis; and some maths involving a farmer’s spreadsheet.

Students are encouraged to take ownership of their study plan, and structure their day to suit their needs.

Big Picture students aren’t required to respond to the school bell, although they can join particular “regular” classes if they choose.

If a student and advisor decide that the student would benefit from a full day working in the library, for example, then that’s what they’ll do.

Deputy principal Keith Leyshon admits it’s a radical departure from the traditional school-teacher-student relationship.

“But the kids are still meeting their curriculum outcomes,” Mr Leyshon said.

“They still need to do their maths, English, science and technology. But it’s a different way of thinking.”

Furthermore, students in the Big Picture program aren’t subject to exams (although they will take part in Naplan testing).

Instead, the students are required to make a presentation at the end of the term, called an exhibition, to demonstrate their progress.

“We’re interested to find out what the kids know. We don’t want to know what they don’t know. And that’s what a test does,” Mr Leyshon said.

An important part of the Big Picture approach is the pairing of each student with a mentor through internships.

The internships give students real-world experience, and reinforces the relevance of what they’re learning, Mr Leyshon said.

It’s an approach that appeals to Morisset students such as Lochie Westfall, 14, who will be among the inaugural intake of Big Picture students next year.

Lochie is in the school’s Gifted and Talented (GAT) program.

He has a passion for computer programming, and will often spend up to five hours a day after school pursuing that interest.

He’s proficient in seven different programming languages and is considering several career options in computers.

He likes the idea of having his schooling aligned with his passion.

“Everything is going to be a lot more relevant,” he said.

“At the moment, I don’t see a reason to have Shakespeare in my life. He’s not a programmer.”

Mr Leyshon said Lochie would have the opportunity, through Skype, to be teamed with a mentor in “Melbourne, Sydney, the UK, or San Diego”.

Principal Cheri McDonald said participants in the Big Picture had the option to stay on to complete the HSC, while others have guaranteed metriculation to 10 universities in Australia.

“For me that was the clincher,” she said. “That gives the students that different entry option.”

She said the school had done its homework in adopting the Big Picture.

“It’s been proven to work, it’s evidence based, and it’s tried and tested,” she said.