Nicholson Street Public School

Learning, Laughter, Life

Telephone02 9810 2863

Emailnicholson-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

High potential and gifted education

The High Potential and Gifted Education Policy applies to all NSW public schools, teachers, and students. It describes a framework to develop the talent of high potential and gifted students. The policy provides advice to implement effective learning and teaching practices. The policy is operating in all public schools in NSW from the 27 January, 2021. 

The policy promotes engagement and challenge for every student in every school across intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical domains of potential, while explicitly identifying and addressing the learning needs of high potential and gifted students.

Fundamental to the policy are issues of equity and excellence. High potential and gifted students have advanced learning capacity compared to same-age students and, as a result, require talent development opportunities and differentiated teaching and learning practices to ensure their specific learning needs are met.

High potential students are found among students of all backgrounds. Gaps in achievement, known as excellence gaps, may exist between different groups of high potential and gifted students unless specific support is provided. Such gaps further entrench inequality and disadvantage.

Guiding principles

  • All students, regardless of background or personal circumstances, require access to learning programs that meet their learning needs and support to aspire to, and achieve, personal excellence.
  • Our commitment to high expectations for all students includes high potential and gifted students.
  • Achieving excellence for high potential and gifted students is underpinned by effective school environments including quality teaching, learning and leadership.
  • Potential exists along a continuum, where differing degrees of potential require differing approaches and levels of adjustment and intervention.

Nicholson Street Public School staff have participated in extensive professional learning around the policy and are embedding the policy across all key learning areas this year.


Signs of high potential

High potential and gifted children tend to:

  • be intensely curious
  • learn new ideas or skills quickly and easily
  • display a good memory
  • ask complex questions
  • be creative
  • enjoy thinking in complex ways
  • require fewer repetitions when learning new things
  • become intensely focused in their area of interest or passion.

Children with high potential like to be challenged. If you observe your child is more advanced than their peers, in any area or domain, it is recommended that you discuss this with your child's teacher or other professional.

A rapid rate of learning means these children may enjoy opportunities beyond the typical level of other children their age.