NSW Schools Expand Gifted Programs, Bridging Elite-Public Gap

0:00In Sydney, it's March 1st. Here's what is happening. Over 750,000 students in New South Wales public comprehensive schools can now tap into specialist gifted programs this year. The overhaul, called Inspire, rolls out enrichment streams, extension classes, and STEM activities right in local schools, moving beyond just to lead. Selective options. Education Minister Pru Carr laid out the details at a recent summit. She pointed out how the focus on selective schools left high potential kids underserved elsewhere, pushing families to seek better challenges. This comes as competition for those spots heats up. In the past five years, 37,000 parents skipped their local public schools for Catholic or private ones. To fight that trend, the state ease catchment rules refreshed over 2,000 school websites, added preschools on sites, and switched some single sex highs to co-ed. Eight non-selective schools launched extension classes this year, including Port Hacking High, Chiffley College, and Regional Spots,

1:00like Couringall High. In Wagon Wagon, another 20 joined by 2027 picked based on demand from testing data. Teachers are compact in curriculums to keep pace with quick learners. Students love skipping repetition, staying challenged with friends nearby. Experts say without this, give to kids in the top 10 percent often tune out or underachieve. Over 30 schools get upgrades like stem labs to support intellectual, creative, and other talents. A message from our sponsor supports today's story. It is a pillow that plays your podcast and music without earbuds, built for listening in bed, S-O-L-L-I-SoliPillow.com