Tailored Learning

Tailored Learning (TL) replaces Flexible Learning Options (FLO) as a key approach to support students at risk of disengaging from education due to significant and often multiple personal barriers. Mark Oliphant College (MOC) were chosen by the Department for Education (DfE) to be a pilot school for Tailored Learning in 2024, leading to the Tailored Learning model to be implemented in all DfE sites. Students are individually assessed on their educational and personal barriers to determine the suitability of the program in supporting their needs.

The Mark Oliphant College (MOC) Tailored Learning Program is a school-based alternative learning program located within the school campus, in a designated space with specifically staff aligned staff. The focus is to continue students’ connection with school, despite barriers faced, to benefit the levels of support, to benefit future pathways. The program has approximately 125 enrolled in a variety of individualised programs, that are provided either on-site, or externally with community learning providers.

The internal Tailored Learning program at running on-site at MOC runs on a 5-day timetable and can be an in-house SACE completion program, as well as working with other providers to engage students in learning, including: RTO’s, Work Experience Providers, Community Learning Providers, and mainstream classes at Mark Oliphant College.

Students working on written activities at a table, viewed from above

In the on-site Tailored Learning program at MOC, students engage in compulsory and elective subjects to complete their Stage 1 SACE. Compulsory subjects (EIF, Essential English and Essential Maths) are completed during ‘Core’ learning blocks. In Core, students select their own learning goal for each session and will work with the support of teaching staff to achieve that goal. Elective subjects are based on student interest and are aligned with the SACE subject, Integrated Learning, which allows for flexibility and student choice in how learning is evidenced. Students in Tailored Learning currently engage in the following programs: Music, Gardening, eSports, Dungeons and Dragons, Lego, Ice Hockey, Aerosol Art, Inline Skating and Basketball. However, these electives can change each semester, based on the feedback and interests of students within Tailored Learning.

Tailored Learning students also have the option to engage with the community programs, Operation Flinders, Ice Factor, and the 36ers Basketball program, to achieve Stage 1 SACE credits.

Stage 2 SACE is completed through the compulsory subject AIF and elective subjects Community Studies, Essential English, Community Connections, and Integrated Learning. Within these subjects, students are engaged in a range of different programs, including Music, Dungeons and Dragons, Work Studies and eSports. In 2025, Tailored Learning embarked on a three-year program with Adelaide University in which students will engage with university staff to attempt to address an issue within their community.