Primary schools for entry to opportunity classes

In the opportunity class placement process, primary schools:

• inform parents how they can apply and when
• direct parents to the website for application information
• may assist parents to apply online
• provide the Unit extra information about applicants, such as reasonable adjustments for disability
• comment on appeals from parents.

Documents to assist primary schools with opportunity class entry

Access to the following documents (when available) is via login to the DoE staff portal:

• Information bulletin for primary schools (PDF 312 KB).
• Intention to apply form for metropolitan and regional applicants (docx 39KB)
• Intention to apply form for rural and remote applicants (docx 41.5 KB)

Primary schools with opportunity classes for entry to opportunity classes

• inform parents how they can apply and when
• direct parents to the website for application information (PDF 583 KB)
• may assist parents to apply online
• provide school assessment scores for applicants
• give the Team extra information about applicants, such as disability test provisions
• process appeals from parents
• participate in appeals panels (for opportunity classes and selective high schools)
• inform the Unit when vacancies occur.

Documents to assist primary schools with opportunity classes with opportunity class entry

Access to the following document (when available) is via login to the DoE staff portal:

• Information bulletin for principals of schools with opportunity classes (PDF 403KB)
• Information bulletin for primary schools (PDF 312 KB)
• Intention to apply form for metropolitan and regional applicants (docx 39 KB)

Public schools as test centres for opportunity class placement

In the placement process, public schools:

• make their schools available as test centres on test days
• keep test materials secure at all times
• arrange teaching staff to administer the test
• certify collection of test materials.

Documents to assist public schools with opportunity class entry

Access to the following document (available early July) is via login to the DoE staff portal:

• Test administrator's handbook
• Test administration record
• Spare PIDS form
• Incident report form
• Packing instructions for return of test materials

Primary schools for entry to selective high schools in Year 7

Primary schools are not required to provide school assessment scores for entry to Year 7 in 2024.

Primary school principals will continue the usual process of confirming information entered by parents in their applications and by adding relevant information on student background, disability and reasonable adjustments.

In the selective high school placement process, primary schools:

• inform parents how they can apply and when
• direct parents to the website for application information
• may assist parents to apply online
• respond to requests for details about reasonable adjustments for studnets with disability in the School recommendation form
• give the Unit extra information about applicants, such as confirmation of reasonable adjustments for disability.

Documents to assist primary schools with selective high school entry

Access to the following documents is via login to the DoE staff portal:

• Information for applicants (PDF 870KB)
• Information bulletin for primary school principals (PDF 279KB).
• Guide to the SHS SCOUT report (PDF 395KB) showing students who have applied prior to the closing date
• Word version of Intention to apply form (PDF 14KB)
• Instructions (PDF 1.46MB) for the updated processing site in SHS and OC Schools' site.

Selective high schools for entry to selective high schools in Year 7

In the selective high school placement process, selective high schools:

• direct parents to the website for application information
• make their schools available as test centres on test days if required
• convene selection committees
• participate in appeals panels
• send enrolment information to students placed
• inform the Unit of vacancies
• check students' eligibility when enrolling
• negotiate any delayed enrolment.

Documents to assist selective high schools with selective high school entry

Access to the following document (when available) is via login to the DoE staff portal:

• Information bulletin for principals of selective high schools (PDF 196KB).
• Information for applicants (PDF 2MB).

High schools for entry to selective high schools in Year 7

In the selective high school placement process, high schools:

• receive reports of local students who may attend a selective high school the following year
• make their schools available as test centres on test days if required
• keep test materials secure at all times
• assist test centre staff with the conduct of the test
• assist in courier collection of test materials.

Documents to assist high schools with selective high school entry

Access to the following document (when available) is via login to the DoE staff portal:

• Information bulletin for principals of high schools (PDF 142 KB).
• Information for applicants (PDF 2MB).

High schools as selective high school test centres

In the placement process, high schools:

• make their schools available as test centres on test days if required
• keep test materials secure at all times
• support the set up and dismantling of the test centre
• assist in courier collection of test materials.

External invigilation

In 2023, the selective education placement tests will be supervised by invigilators provided by the test supplier, Cambridge University Press and Assessment and local partner Janison.

The use of external invigilation will:

• provide a more consistent and equitable test experience for all students across the state
• include the opportunity for local secondary school Presiding Officers (POs) and test supervisors to be engaged by Janison to supervise the test (the department will communicate the change directly to the POs and test supervisors and make the introductions to Janison)
• support future improvements to the selective education test format and delivery.

The Selective Education Unit will provide more information to support schools in establishing and setting up as a test centre.

Test centre facilities

The following information may help when considering appropriate test centre facilities at your school.

• An area suitable for testing students under strict examination conditions.
  • This area should be located away from potential noises or other disruptions, especially during school recess and lunch breaks.
  • The school auditorium, multi-purpose centre or other areas that can accommodate large groups would be most appropriate.
• Separate rooms to accommodate students with disabilities requiring reasonable adjustments for the test, which meet the Disability Standards for Education 2005
• A suitable area for students to wait under supervision before the tests and in the breaks
• Student and staff access to toilets
• Test centre equipment e.g. whiteboard and markers, chalkboard and chalk, duster and a clock
• Your school will be reimbursed costs for setting up and dismantling the test room according to the number of applicants sitting the test at your centre.

Documents to assist test centre high schools with selective high school entry

Access to the following document (when available) is via login to the DoE staff portal:

• Test information for parents and students. To be updated.
• Other documents relating to administration of the Selective High School Placement Test are yet to be confirmed.

Selective high schools for entry in Years 8-12

After the Year 7 placement process finishes, selective high schools:

• receive applications for any vacancies in Years 8 to 12
• assess students and inform them of the placement outcome
• respond to requests for information about reviews
• conduct reviews
• enrol successful students and manage reserve lists.

Documents to assist selective schools for Years 8-12 entry

Access to the following documents (when available) is via login to the DoE staff portal:

• Information for principals of selective high schools (PDF 236KB)
• Supplementary information for boarder agricultural high schools (PDF 212KB)
• Word versions of sample letters (PDF 62KB)
• Word versions of sample letters for agricultural high schools (PDF 37KB)
• Application information (PDF 197KB) (public access)
• Application form (PDF 123KB) (public access) Available when applications are open.

Contact us

For more information or support on any of the above information please contact:

Selective Education Unit

ssu@det.nsw.edu.au

1300 880 367