High potential and gifted education

Some students learn faster and more easily than others. These students may shine in creativity, thinking, leadership or sport.

At our school, we recognise and nurture these strengths early. We support advanced learners with great lessons and activities to help them grow and thrive.

Why choose us for your high potential or gifted child?

Recognising potential and developing talent

Our teachers find potential and nurture our students to be the best they can be.

Tailored lessons

Each student has different abilities. Teachers respond to each student’s ability by providing extra challenges and extension activities to keep learning exciting and engaging.

Rich opportunities and activities

Students can take part in opportunities to develop their talent in the arts, sport, leadership and more.

Opening doors to wider experiences

Our students can participate in a wide range of state-wide opportunities that aim to extend and enrich student potential.

What is high potential and gifted education?

High potential and gifted education (HPGE) is how our school supports students with advanced learning needs.

We do this through:

effective teaching strategies like enrichment, extension and acceleration

tailored support during lessons that stretch, challenge and inspire

access to a wide range of opportunities both within and beyond our school.

Our high potential and gifted education opportunities

Our students engage with HPGE education in the classroom, in our school, and across NSW.

In our classroom

In our classrooms, teachers use personalised learning and differentiated instruction to identify and develop students’ individual strengths and talents. Learning experiences are adjusted in depth, complexity and pace to provide appropriate challenge, while maintaining strong support structures. Students are offered opportunities for extension through enriched curriculum tasks, interest-based learning, project-based work and the use of assistive and digital technologies. Teachers work closely with families, therapists and support staff to ensure that high potential is recognised holistically and that learning goals reflect both students’ abilities and wellbeing needs.

Across our school

Across Lakeside School, high potential and gifted education is supported through a whole-school, collaborative approach. Staff engage in ongoing professional learning to build shared understanding of identifying and supporting high potential learners in an SSP context. School-wide programs promote student voice, leadership, sensory engagement, creativity, independence and social development. Data from individual learning plans, observations and assessments is used to monitor progress and inform targeted support. Our school culture values strengths, celebrates achievement and ensures that high expectations are balanced with care, inclusion and wellbeing.

Across NSW

Lakeside School connects with broader High Potential and Gifted Education initiatives across NSW through the NSW Department of Education. This includes access to professional learning, resources and networks that support best practice in identifying and nurturing high potential students. Where appropriate, students may engage in external programs, community partnerships or virtual learning opportunities that extend their interests and abilities beyond the school setting. These connections ensure our practices remain current, evidence-based and aligned with statewide priorities, while continuing to meet the unique needs of our students and community.

Help for your high potential child

If your child shows signs of high potential, contact us. We can share how our HPGE support can guide their learning journey.

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Student opportunities and activities

Discover the opportunities our students have at our school.

Learning

Find out about our approach to learning and supporting students to progress.