Dusseldorp_Forum_logo

Big Picture Education Australia

Dusseldorp Forum has partnered with Big Picture Education Australia to develop a parallel pathway to university for Big Picture students.

Big Picture Education is a not-for-profit network of educators implementing an innovative design for schools. Adapted from a successful US model, Big Picture was first introduced to Australia in 2006, and since that time, 41 schools have adapted their learning design reaching over 4,500 students.

Big Picture’s rigorous and highly personalised approach to education combines academic work with real-world learning. It focuses on educating ‘one student at a time’ and inverts the traditional education design by placing the student, their passions and their interests, at the centre of the learning process.

Students’ development and their abilities are measured by the quality of their work recorded in student portfolios. The portfolios are the official record of student learning and achievement.

In 2015, Dusseldorp Forum provided $50,000 over two years to develop MOU’s with participating Australian universities and establish agreed principles, processes, standards and evidence to guide the use of portfolio entry to university.

In 2017 the first five students from Big Picture entered university studying Law, Biomedical Science, Asian Studies, Teaching and Physiotherapy via the Big Picture Graduation Portfolio.

By generating and sustaining innovative, individualised schools that operate in the real world and involve families and local communities, we are making changes to education and to the lives of young people.

Big Picture Education Australia

Past Partners

UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures

In 2022 Dusseldorp Forum partnered with UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures to “collaboratively develop and promote thriving intergenerational community-led housing projects” in Australia, using demonstration projects as the primary vehicle, underpinned by the core principle of community self-determination.

Beenleigh Housing and Development Company Community Hub

BHDC Community Hub is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation that strives to support, enhance and transform the lives of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

Logan Together

Logan Together is a 10-year community movement to grow children up well. It’s a collaboration between the community, service providers, community organisations, government partners and the business community to ensure Logan kids grow up as healthy and full of potential as any other group of Australian kids.