Every public school student in NSW can now access opportunities to pursue their talents and potential at their local school, with the ground-breaking Inspire program rolling out as part of the State Government’s commitment to put high potential and gifted education (HPGE) offerings in all public schools.
The fulfilment of the major policy commitment will be announced today by NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Prue Car at the SMH Schools Summit.
All public schools in NSW are now embedding HPGE in their teaching practices and co-curricular activities, with a range of new programs tailored to each school, such as enrichment streams, extension opportunities and STEM programs.
The Inspire program brings together all schools’ high potential and gifted offerings under one banner, shared on school websites, giving parents and carers easy access to information about the opportunities available at their local school.
“We are determined to ensure our public schools are places of excellence, where all students can access opportunities to develop their talents and reach their full potential,” said Minister Car.
“The Inspire program ensures high potential and gifted students in NSW public schools are identified and their teachers are equipped to provide world-class opportunities for these students to be challenged and pursue their talents.”
Paired with an updated school-finder website, where schools are now proactively sharing their availability of places with local communities, parents can more easily plan their child’s schooling if they wish to explore the option of a non-local school, said the Minister.
As part of the Inspire program, new extension classes are also being offered across comprehensive public high schools.
HPGE Extension Classes are now running in eight public high schools, with more schools to join the initiative next year. The schools were selected to address unmet demand for extension class offerings.
The high schools running new classes in 2026 are:
- Chifley College: Dunheved Campus
- Kooringal High School
- Hunters Hill High School
- Lisarow High School
- Elderslie High School
- Georges River College: Peakhurst Campus
- Port Hacking High School
- Riverstone High School
“Importantly, teachers are receiving targeted training to deliver these opportunities in every school, something that can happen thanks to the Minns Labor Government’s wage reform which has seen vacancies shrink to a 12-year-low,” said Minister Car.
“Selective schools and opportunity classes are no longer the only public pathways for gifted students to pursue excellence. Parents, carers and the community will see high potential and gifted education in action in their local public schools.”
