Student Excellence Program funding and its uses

Guidance for high-ability practice leaders on Student Excellence Program (SEP) funding and ways in which it can be allocated by schools.

Overview

All eligible schools receive a Student Excellence Program (SEP) funding allocation through the Student Resource Package (SRP) to support them in implementing the Student Excellence initiatives in their school. Schools can use the funding to develop, deliver and coordinate their programs for high-ability students, or to undertake professional learning to support this. 

The Student Excellence Program (SEP) funding rates can be found at Student Resource Package – Targeted Initiatives: Student Excellence Program Funding.

Which schools are eligible for Student Excellence Program (SEP) funding?

Schools do not have to apply for funding. All eligible schools will receive a Student Excellence Program (SEP) funding allocation through the Student Resource Package (SRP) to support the implementation of the initiative in their school. Eligible school types include:

  • primary
  • secondary
  • primary/secondary combined.

School types and specific schools that are not eligible for Student Excellence Program (SEP) funding include:

  • English language schools
  • Camp/outdoor schools
  • Selective Entry High Schools
  • John Monash Science School
  • Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School
  • The Victorian School of Languages
  • The Centre for Higher Education Studies.

Special schools will not automatically receive funding but can submit a request to Student Excellence for consideration via email: student.excellence@education.vic.gov.au.

How much Student Excellence Program (SEP) funding does my school receive?

Student Excellence Program (SEP) funding is allocated based on the number of student enrolments in Victorian government primary and secondary schools. 

Schools receive a per school allocation related to their cohort size categorisation.  

Targeted Student Excellence Program (SEP) funding operates within a capped budget. This means that cohort allocations may be adjusted up or down depending on:

  • changes in total enrolments from all schools
  • the spread of these enrolments across cohorts.

The Student Excellence Program funding rates can be found at Student Resource Package – Targeted Initiatives: Student Excellence Program Funding.

Accountability

Schools must code any expenditure of Student Excellence Program funding to the sub-program code 8502 on CASES21.

Please be aware that where a school is using Student Excellence Program funding either to employ a high-ability practice leader, to pay a special payment, or to support the release of a teacher, this expense will be managed through eduPay and will not appear in the CASES21 ledger.

Appropriate use of funding

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.

Time release, time allowance and/or a special payment for staff

  • For teachers to perform the role of high-ability practice leader
  • To employ casual relief teachers to release high-ability practice leaders
  • To pay education support staff to provide administrative support for the program
  • For teachers in a cluster of schools to co-construct curriculum with a view to further extending high-ability primary school students
  • To engage an external or internal expert for an in-service session on supporting high-ability students
  • To enable a reduction in teaching allotment for teachers whose students are operating significantly above the expected level, to aid with planning and differentiation

Resources for supporting high-ability students

  • Supporting delivery of masterclasses for students in the Victorian High-Ability Program, for example, venue and catering costs for face-to-face sessions.
  • Supporting the participation of students in the Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series, for example, transport costs for students to attend activities.
  • Purchasing the text for the Victorian High-Ability Program Secondary English course.
  • Classroom resources or guest speakers for extension or enrichment activities that are not already funded.
  • Supporting primary students to access the secondary curriculum or supporting secondary students to access VCE subjects through Virtual School Victoria or the Victorian Virtual Learning Network.
  • Administering standardised assessments to all students upon entry to the school to identify high-ability students.
  • Facilitating students’ participation in outreach programs, competitions and tests, for example, Tournament of Minds.
  • Running information evenings, including guest speakers, for parents of high-ability students. See Victorian Association for Gifted and Talented Children (VAGTC) and the VAGTC Resource Book (8th edition) for more information and ideas.

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.