Schools in Sydney's western suburbs have seen a dramatic improvement in academic outcomes, after overhauling an education system they say is missing the mark.

A new way to learn: 80 Catholic schools have taken the new approach

80 Catholic schools have taken the new approach Since 2002 there has been a 500 per cent increase in western Sydney high school students on Year 12 High Achiever's List

Since 2002 there has been a 500 per cent increase in western Sydney high school students on Year 12 High Achiever's List Focus on each individual child's needs, teachers expected to learn too

About 80 Catholic schools have done away with traditional lessons, focusing on individual children rather than entire classes.

The learning environment has been remodelled, with desks and chairs removed from some classrooms.

As the rooms have changed so, too, have traditional roles.

Students now grade the performance of their teachers, who are also expected to be constantly learning.

Greg Whitby, executive director of Schools at the Catholic Education Office in Parramatta, said the approach was working.

"The performance data speaks for itself, you can see marked improvement in a range of things, and we're not just talking about testing data, we're talking about engagement," Mr Whitby said.

Year 6 students in a purpose built classroom at St John XXIII, work on their laptops. ( ABC News: Stephanie Dalzell )

Since 2002, there has been a 500 per cent increase in the number of Catholic students in western Sydney on the Year 12 High Achiever's List.

Mr Whitby said there was also evidence from around the world to show that changing the way children were taught had improved academic outcomes.

"A lot of people think it's new, but it's really what we know has been good practice for so long," he said.

"It starts at what each child can do, what we know they can do, what they can do, and then crafting learning experiences for them.

"Good teachers have always done that, but as we've gone into a mass production process sometimes we've lost the focus of the individual, because we've focused on the group or the class.

"What we're doing here and across our schools is making sure we're focusing on each child and so that each child will improve their learning."

Classrooms offering 'more agility'

St John XXIII Catholic College in Stanhope Gardens has taken part in the program, purpose building learning spaces for its 1,600 students, who are all connected to their teachers online.

Its Year 8 Human Society and its Environment class consists of 150 students and six teachers, who are spread out across a big space to personalise their learning.

Teacher Damian Fenech said he had noticed a significant change since starting the program.

"This kind of space affords us a lot more agility and a little bit more opportunity to showcase different learning environments, different skills," Mr Fenech said.

"There's a real, great enthusiasm and vibrancy not only in the students but in the staff as well; different opportunities can be afforded to us now."

He said there had also been significant improvements in student behaviour.

"We find that even so much as a classroom management side of things, there's no issues in regards to classroom management, they're far more engaged in the work, and they're learning not only from us but also from each other."

This idea has rung true for Year 8 student Erin Pratt.

"I like learning in this environment, because it gives us chances to work with our peers and friends, and we're able to learn more about each other and work together," Ms Pratt said.

"You feel that you're able to talk to the teachers more often, and I feel like the teachers are able to extend me, because sometimes I need that little push."

Teacher Damian Fenech with a group of Year 8 students in a purpose built classroom at St John XXIII. ( ABC News: Stephanie Dalzell )

Teaching students to think for themselves

Mr Whitby said the program was about teaching students how to function in the real world, rather than training them to regurgitate facts.

"We're trying to teach our children not to remember, but to think," Mr Whitby said.

St John XXIII's Year 6 students were setting up Twitter accounts so they could contact other children around the world.

They will soon chat to a class of refugees in the Netherlands, to better understand their experiences, and they will do it from their classroom.

Year 6 student Kieran, 11, said he was excited to learn about refugees first-hand.

"It's really exciting, because they might learn a different way to how we do," he said.

"They might speak a different language, but we can still communicate with them, and they might teach us stuff that they know, and we can teach them stuff we know.

"If they visit our country, they'll know a lot more about our country and our culture."