Supporting High-Ability Students

Policy

This policy outlines arrangements for supporting high-ability students in government schools, including implementation of the Student Excellence Program.

Summary

• Government schools work to enhance the educational opportunities of all students, including high-ability students.
• The Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0 outlines the importance of including a planned approach to learning extension and enrichment for high-ability students as part of a school’s documented whole-school curriculum plan.
• All schools receiving funding through the Student Excellence Program must appoint a high ability practice leader (HAPL) to lead the school’s support for high-ability students.
• High-ability students should be supported to access the department’s range of extension and enrichment opportunities, including the Victorian High-Ability Program, the Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series, and programs offered by the Centre for Higher Education Studies. Information on these programs is available in the Guidance tab.
• Each year the Victorian Education Excellence Awards recognises schools with an outstanding approach to supporting high-ability students.

Details

‘High ability’ is defined as having advanced learning capability and potential compared to same-age peers in one or more domains of learning.

Within their approach to supporting high-ability students, schools are encouraged to:

• access guidance and professional learning for school leaders and classroom teachers in supporting high-ability students (refer to the Resources tab)
• have a structured approach to identifying high-ability students
• facilitate high-ability students’ access to enrichment and extension programs and supports, either within or external to the school.

As part of the Student Excellence Program, all funded schools must appoint a HAPL and facilitate access to the:

• Victorian High Ability Program
• Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series.

Schools are also encouraged to facilitate access to other programs for high-ability students such as those offered by:

• Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHES)
• Koorie Academy of Excellence
• Science and mathematics specialist centres
• Victorian State Schools Spectacular
• School Sport Victoria Competition Pathway (PDF)
• National and international competitions.

For further information on the Student Excellence Program, refer to Student Excellence Program.

There are a range of schools and settings targeted to high-ability students. For more information, refer to Schools and settings targeted to high-ability students.

Each year the Victorian Education Excellence Awards recognises one primary and one secondary school with an outstanding approach to supporting high-ability students. The winning schools each receive a grant of up to $25,000 to further support their programs for high-ability students. For further information, please visit the Victorian Education Excellence Awards.

Related policies

• Designated Purpose Settings
• Enrolment
• Individual Education Plans (IEPS)
• Student Resource Package – Targeted Initiatives (Student Excellence Program)
• Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0

Contact

For general queries regarding support for high-ability students, including the Student Excellence Program and selective entry high school admissions, contact: student.excellence@education.vic.gov.au

For queries regarding funding under the Student Excellence Program, contact Schools Financial Management Support: schools.finance.support@education.vic.gov.au

Privacy and personally identifiable information

All personal information, including personally identifiable information, collected as part of this policy by staff, contractors, volunteers and service providers at Victorian schools, must be handled in accordance with the Schools' privacy policy and Protecting personally identifiable information guideline.

Advice on privacy is available from privacy@education.vic.gov.au

Records management

All records created or kept because of this policy must be handled in accordance with the schools' records management policy and recordkeeping guidelines.

Advice on records management is available from archives.records@education.vic.gov.au