Inspire – 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?

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

We do this through:

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

At Glen Innes School, HPGE lives in everyday practice. We are committed to recognising and nurturing high potential and gifted students, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive at our school.

  • Our supportive classroom environments promote a sense of belonging and encourage risk-taking, creativity and collaboration.
  • Groups are flexible for collaboration and presentation, students take lead roles, and feedback is strengths-based with clear goals and self-assessment.
  • Students learn from tasks that promote choice, authenticity, and critical and creative thinking​ including cross-curricular projects.
  • When evidence shows a need for more, students are extended and have the opportunity to access advanced pathways.
  • We measure impact, not anecdotes, through student work, reflections and progress checks.
Across our school

Our school recognises that every student is individual, and we provide flexible and diverse opportunities for students to explore and grow their strengths outside the classroom.

  • All our students, including high potential and gifted students, are encouraged to take on leadership roles through student representative council leadership, mentoring programs and peer coaching and leadership of major events including ANZAC, Remembrance Day and NAIDOC assemblies.
  • The Stage 6 Night Library  provides targeted support and calm, well-equipped spaces that build confidence and sustained effort.
  • Opportunities to explore STEM pathways are extensive and include The National  Science and Engineering Challenge, Science teaching  with a strong focus on engaging students through hands-on, practical, and innovative approaches.  This style of teaching integrates creative projects and experiments that encourage students to think critically and problem-solve, fostering curiosity and a love for learning. Annual Siding Spring Observatory Depth Study - a multi‑day immersive astronomy program at Siding Spring Observatory for senior science students, giving them real observational and astrophysical experiences.
  • Our humanities students enjoy deepening their knowledge through immersive activities such as WW1 primary sources incursion and fieldwork which allows students to observe and interact with real-world phenomena, making abstract ideas more concrete.
  • Glen Innes High School has previously hosted Bell Shakespeare performances and activities as part of its English and drama enrichment. Author visits and poetry workshops provide students with direct exposure to creative professionals and an opportunity to develop additional skills in this area.
  • Talent in the arts is celebrated and extended through school ensembles, instrumental music, choir, dance, CAPERS, Talent Development Project, School Spectacular, Dance Spectacular, Dobell Drawing School and more, supported by a student stage crew who run sound, lighting, and production.
  • Students have the opportunity to develop leadership, observation, and decision-making skills through participation in Show Cattle judging at local, regional, and state events.
Across NSW

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

  • Glen Innes High School continues to prioritise sporting participation in a multitude of competitions including gala days, combined high schools knock out competitions and selection through to zone, regional and state carnivals.
  • Glen Innes High School competes annually in the Da Vinci Decathlon event which is a regional, state‑wide and national competition for students in years 7-10. The Da Vinci Challenge places an emphasis on interconnected thinking and academic creativity rather than standard tests.
  • The Premier’s Sporting Challenge promotes whole-school participation in physical activity with leadership pathways and collaborative learning. Students reflect and share their learning, so experiences build knowledge and character, contributing to the identity of themselves and their school.
  • Our students participate in the Science and Engineering Challenge, where they collaborate in hands-on STEM activities and innovative problem-solving tasks designed to inspire and extend high potential in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Our Year 7 Extension Class

Inquire, Innovate, Critically Thinking, Collaboration
At Glen Innes Extension Class, we nurture every student’s high potential by fuelling intellectual curiosity and creativity. Through challenging projects and tailored learning, students think critically, solve problems, and grow as confident, lifelong learners ready to make a difference.

Vision Statement

Our extension class is dedicated to nurturing the high potential of every student through the development of intellectual curiosity and creativity. It empowers students to inquire, innovate, think critically, and collaborate in a challenging and stimulating environment that supports complex problem-solving and the innovative expression of ideas.

Our vision is to recognise and nurture the diverse talents, intellectual curiosity and creative capacity of high potential and gifted learners from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Through challenging and engaging learning experiences, students develop critical thinking, creativity and innovative problem-solving skills. We aim to foster capable and considerate young people who collaborate with empathy, confidently express their ideas and use their abilities to make a meaningful and positive contribution to their school and wider community.

Contact the school

For more information about the extension class, please contact the school directly.

Phone: 63321322
Email: gleninnes-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Is my child suited for HPGE Extension? (Intellectual & Creative Domains)

Students who thrive in the HPGE Extension class typically demonstrate strong curiosity, advanced thinking skills, and a love of learning. In the intellectual domain, this may look like a child who quickly grasps new concepts, asks insightful questions, and enjoys problem-solving or working beyond their year level. In the creative domain, students often show originality, imagination, and a willingness to explore new ideas through writing, art, design, or innovative thinking. These learners are motivated, enjoy challenge, and benefit from opportunities to extend and deepen their understanding in a supportive, enriched environment.

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.

Contact us

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.