Student Resource Package – Targeted Initiatives

Student Excellence Program Funding (Reference 120)

Student Excellence Program (SEP) funding is provided to enable schools to expand their support for high-ability students.

Eligibility

SEP funding is provided to all schools except for:

• camp/outdoor schools irrespective of their listed school type (that is, 'Camp' school types, Somers School Camp, Outdoor School, Rubicon Outdoor School)
• hospital-based schools (Monash Children’s Hospital School and Yalingbu Yirramboi)
• language schools
• selective entry schools (including MacRobertson Girls High School, Melbourne High School, Nossal High School, Suzanne Cory High School, John Monash Science School, Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School)
• Centre for Higher Education Studies
• Parkville College
• Victorian School of Languages.

Specialist schools can submit a request to the Student Excellence Unit for consideration for funding.

Funding

SEP funding allocations are calculated by the department, with allocations based on the number of students enrolled at the school (their cohort size).

Funding is provided to schools through the Student Resource Package (SRP) as a 100% cash allocation.

SEP funding allocations are communicated in the Indicative SRP and updated if required in the Confirmed SRP based on enrolment data collected through the February census. SEP funding operates within a capped budget which means that cohort allocations may be adjusted up or down depending on both changes in total enrolments from all schools and the spread of these enrolments across cohorts.

Use of funding

SEP funding is provided to enable schools to expand their support for high-ability students, such as delivering and coordinating programs for high-ability students, appointing a high ability practice leader or undertaking professional learning to support this.

Schools can decide how to use the funding allocation to best meet the needs of their high-ability students, and examples include:

• time release, time allowance, and/or a special payment for teachers to perform the role of high-ability practice leader
• participating in relevant professional learning activities including the use of Casual Relief Teachers
• delivering masterclasses for students in the Victorian High-Ability Program
• student participation in the Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series activities/events
• other programs for high-ability students
• student transport costs to access extension program events
• co-ordination time for high-ability programs
• parent information evenings
• guest speakers for high-ability students
• classroom resources for extension activities.

Schools may pool funds, for example to collaborate with other schools to deliver masterclasses.

Accountability

Schools receiving SEP funding are required to code any expenditure of SEP funding to the sub-program code 8502 in CASES21.

Where a school uses SEP funding to either support the appointment of a high-ability practice leader, make a special payment, or support the release of a teacher, this expense will be managed through eduPay and will not appear in the CASES21 ledger.

More information

For further information, refer to the Student Excellence Program or contact student.excellence@education.vic.gov.au