Schools can decide how to use the Student Excellence Program funding allocation in order to best meet the needs of their high-ability students. Many schools are already running programs for high-ability students, and this funding can be used to support these programs. The funding may be used in a variety of ways and the lists below are indicative and not prescriptive.
Worked examples (illustrative only)
Regional Primary School
A regional primary school with 450 students receives Student Excellence Program (SEP) funding of $11,055 in 2023. The school makes a special payment to a classroom teacher to be the school’s high-ability practice leader and releases the teacher for one period per week for the full school year.
In addition, the teacher’s classes are covered by a casual relief teacher (CRT) for 2 days per term for the school year, giving the teacher time to engage in professional learning as well as HAPL responsibilities.
The school collaborates with 5 local primary schools to organise a masterclass for students participating in the Victorian High-Ability Program. The funding is used for CRT coverage while the teachers design and deliver the sessions, plus materials and equipment for a science-related activity.
The school has for some years offered students the opportunity to take part in the UNSW/ICAS assessments in English and mathematics and uses some of their funding to defray the entry fee for their disadvantaged students.
Metropolitan Secondary School
A metropolitan secondary school of 1,635 students receives Student Excellence Program (SEP) funding of $38,570 in 2023.
The school makes a special payment to a classroom teacher to be the school’s high-ability practice leader and releases the teacher for 3 periods per week for the full school year.
The school uses its funding for CRTs to support attendance of the high-ability practice leader in targeted professional learning opportunities.
One of the school’s existing administrative staff is given additional hours at peak periods to provide administrative assistance for the program.
The school allocates $2,000 towards the delivery of two masterclasses for students participating in the Victorian High-Ability Program in conjunction with 4 neighbouring schools. The funding contributes towards CRT coverage to allow teachers to design and deliver the sessions, plus a guest speaker from a university.
The school uses some of the funding for CRTs to supervise students attending activities within the Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series.
The school uses some of the funding to engage an external expert as a ‘critical friend’ in improving its provision for high-ability students.
Further information
For further information, please contact Student Excellence at
student.excellence@education.vic.gov.au.