While the broad range of schooling options currently open to parents reflects a well-developed and thriving educational system, the choice can be a little overwhelming. Here, we explain all available educational options and school types in NSW to help parents with their decision.
The choice within the NSW public school system has greatly increased in recent years. Your child is automatically entitled to a place in their local high school, but you can also apply for a place at non-local high schools (such as single-gender, specialist, selective, sports or agricultural high schools). As such, you can potentially take advantage of increased specialisation in the public education system.
Some restrictions do apply. Students from outside a school’s designated local enrolment area can be offered a place only if space permits after local students have been accommodated. Additionally, schools such as selective and agricultural high schools have special enrolment criteria based on academic merit.
Selective and agricultural schools
Currently in NSW there are 17 fully selective schools, four selective agricultural high schools, 25 high schools with selective classes and a virtual selective class provision (Western NSW Region). The aim of selective high schools is to provide a scholastically challenging environment for more academically able students. The usual range of subjects is taught at these school, but they are geared to the needs of gifted and talented students. Partially selective high schools offer both selective and community-based classes. Students gain places at selective schools competing academically with other prospective students.
There are differing opinions on the benefits of selective schools. Some education experts argue that talented children should be educated with their intellectual peers, thus benefiting from the intellectual stimulation this grouping provides. Others argue for the comprehensive system, claiming students benefit from a wider range of mixed abilities and attitudes.
Qualifying for a selective school
Entry into these schools is determined by the student’s results in the Selective High School Placement Test in English (including reading and writing), mathematics and general ability, together with their primary school’s assessment of their performance in English and mathematics. Other evidence of academic merit may also be considered.
Parents wishing to apply on behalf of their child for Year 7 in 2014 can apply online via the NSW Public Schools website, www.schools.nsw.edu.au. Students throughout the state sit for the Selective High School Placement Test in designated test centres on a specified date. Applications ans results are considered by a selection committee, which will also take into account circumstances where a child has a sensory or physical disability or is from a non-English-speaking background.
Agricultural high schools are selective high schools that specialise in agricultural studies . Students wishing to enroll in day places at agricultural high schools are selected in much the same way as those in selective high schools. Boarding places for all years are offered at Hurlstone (boarding and day), Yanco (boarding only) and Farrer Memorial (boarding and day). Hurlstone and Yanco are both co-educational, while Farrer accepts boys only. Offers of boarding placements in agricultural high schools take students’ geographic isolation and their ability to cope in a boarding situation into consideration.
For more information about selective schools, consult your government primary school principal or phone the Selective High School and Opportunity Class Placement Unit on (02) 9707 6262 or your regional office on 13 15 36.
Selective high schools
Baulkham Hills High
Caringbah High
Fort Street High
Girraween High
Gosford High School
Hornsby Girls High
Merewether High
Normanhurst Boys High
Northern Beaches Secondary College
Manly Campus
North Sydney Boys High
North Sydney Girls High
Penrith High
Smiths Hill High
St George Girls High
Sydney Boys High
Sydney Girls High
Sydney technical High
High schools with selective classes
Alexandria Park community School
Armindale High, Armidale
Auburn Girls High
Blacktown Boys High
Blacktown Girls High
Bonnyrigg High School
Chatswood High School
Duval High, Armidale
Elizabeth Marcarthur High
Gorokan High School
Grafton High, Grafton
Granville Boys High School
Karabar High, Queanbeyan
Kooringal High, Wagga Wagga
Macquarie Fields High School
Peel High School, Tamworth
Prairiewood High School
Rose Bay Secondary College
Ryde Secondary College
Sefton High School
Sydney Secondary College, Balmain Campus
Sydney Secondary College, Blackwattle Bay Campus
Sydney Secondary College, Leichhardt Campus
Tempe High School
Agricultural High Schools
Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School, Tamworth
Hurlstone Agricultural High School, Glenfield
James Ruse Agricultural High School, Carlingford
Yanco Agricultural High School, Yanco