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16.3.2018

Think Only Adults Innovate? Meet The Students Taking Charge Of Change

With the right information and support, students can be trusted to take control of their learning and lead the way in making innovative changes to education! See how one school put students in control.

Adults don't always have the answers. It might be tough to admit, but it's true. So when it comes to changing education for the better, are we missing an opportunity if we don't let young people innovate too?

As with most changes, it comes down to collaboration and a dash of courage. Sir Ken Robinson argues that to change the education system, "the first thing you have to recognize is that you are the system. That everyone in the system is a manifestation of the system".  Whilst every educator and parent has the power to change the system a little each day by changing the things they do, it's easy to forget it’s not just adults with the desire and ability to make change. Some students are tired of feeling school is something ‘done to them’ and are isolated and disillusioned by the school system, while others are empowered and supported to create the change they want to see.

The second element of instigating change, Robinson argues, is recognizing “that change can build into a movement if people collaborate.” He explains, “In many countries they focus on competition, whereas some countries such as Finland have an emphasis more on collaboration, and that’s a powerful impetus for change. If enough people change then that’s a movement. And if enough people move, and move in that direction, then that’s a revolution.”

For some schools, it just makes perfect sense that students should be involved with shaping education. After all, whose education is it anyway? While some students will leave school believing that their education was simply 'done to them', Templestowe College, in Victoria, Australia, is all about collaborating with students and empowering them to be agents for change. 

Only a decade ago, Templestowe College had so few students that it was at serious risk of closure. They needed a way to engage students in the education system again, and fast. Now amongst the most innovative schools in Australia, Templestowe College has transformed itself by giving students control over their own learning experiences.

"At Templestowe College we don’t want kids to be endlessly preparing for the future. We want them to create and live this future now!"

The innovative policy that changed the game? The school refers to it as ‘Yes is the default!' This approach means that whenever a student or staff member makes a proposal, the answer must be ‘yes’ - unless it would take too much time, cost too much or cause harm to others. This means that students and staff are actively encouraged to come up with innovative ideas to take charge of the way they learn and contribute to whole school decision making. For example, last year after a student led campaign, the school decided to remove compulsory uniform. 

Having the opportunity to take important decisions and have ideas and plans acted on shows students that they are valued. It also shows the power of  democracy, community and active citizenship in practice. Peter Hutton, who was co-principal at the school until 2017, explained, "At Templestowe College we don’t want kids to be endlessly preparing for the future. We want them to create and live this future now!” 

The school believes that students are capable of making decisions in their own best interests, provided they are given the necessary knowledge and support. Students are therefore given the freedom to challenge themselves, discover and pursue their passions and make meaningful contributions to the community. Young people at Templestowe benefit from mixed age classes, flexible hours, ambitious project based learning and an individualized learning plan. Plans are individualized to such an extent that, once they reach functional levels of literacy and numeracy, learners are able to manage 100% of their own learning curriculum. In fact, there are a staggering 150 electives to be chosen from each year!

While some adults might fear that increased student agency would lead to anarchy and chaos, Templestowe says that having the freedom to explore their own passions and interests in depth has in fact lead to exceptional student engagement and achievement. The philosophy of the school focuses on the power of young people and their potential to impact the world around them. The school seems to embody the idea that actions speak louder than words, saying “We will always continue to look to move beyond Student Voice towards Student Action, a cornerstone of what has made our school a place where young people thrive and feel valued.”

When the school system was no longer serving students, Templestowe had the vision and courage to let students innovate for themselves. Sometimes all it takes is to recognize that change is possible. As Sir Ken Robinson says, “If you see it as a fixed system whose broad design came off the mountain inscribed in tablets of stone since time immemorial, then you are going to be baffled and a bit intimidated by it. But if you recognize that it is a human system, that it’s dynamic and it is changing, it makes the task more plausible.” 

If you are inspired by Templestowe College, be sure to check out the innovation page to see how you could implement this approach in your setting.