As Victorian students brace themselves for the stress and scrutiny of VCE exams, a familiar ritual plays out: teachers teaching explicitly to the examiners’ preferences, late nights of cramming and crippling anxiety. All for a three week exam period that students are told will “define their life”.
Peter Hutton, executive director of Global Village Learning (GVL), argues that ATAR’s influence has overshadowed more diverse and equitable pathways for too long.
The ATAR facilitates intense competition directly between students, pitting one directly against the other based on an extremely narrow definition of success. The senior schooling system discourages collaboration, personal growth, creativity, and a deep love of learning – qualities that today’s world demands more than ever. It is testing student’s resilience, but certainly not building it.
There are increasing concerns over the ATAR’s impact on young people’s mental health and self-worth.
GVL is pioneering a new approach: Ignore the ATAR. Focus on what actually matters for your future, sidestep the ATAR and scored VCE completely.
You can still have a clear pathway to the field of study of your choice.
In 2025, GVL is opening the Pathways and Futures Hub, a senior program focused on building confidence, entrepreneurship and citizenship skills in young adults – qualities that are well aligned with a rapidly changing world of work. Enrolments are now open to young people aged between 15-20 who want to unlock a future of choice, possibility, and growth.
“The ATAR isn’t the best or only pathway to your future,” says Pip Cleaves, associate principal at GVL.
“Our program provides students with many alternative options, including portfolio entry to university, a TAFE qualification, hands-on learning experiences, mentoring, entrepreneurial pathways, internships and much more.”
Parents, students, young people and the community are invited to attend an information session on Thursday 14 November at 7pm at Global Village Learning, 57 Barringo Rd, New Gisborne. The session will outline how senior students can break free from the limitations of the ATAR and how alternative pathways can open doors to every young person’s dream.
Global Village Learning is a dynamic educational community offering personalised, skill-focused pathways for students at all year levels, from early learning through to senior years, preparing them for meaningful futures beyond traditional academic metrics.
