About Priority Schools Programs

Priority Schools Programs support government schools serving the highest densities of low socio-economic status families in New South Wales. The programs are underpinned by principles of equity and are part of the NSW government's commitment to social inclusion.

These programs provide resources to improve the literacy and numeracy achievements and engagement of students from low socio-economic status backgrounds. These are the most critical requirements for student achievement across the full range of education and training outcomes.

Priority Schools Programs resources support Priority Schools to do things differently with more, rather than, more of the same.

NSW Priority Schools Programs Guidelines 2009

Priority Schools Programs comprise the Priority Schools Funding Program and the Priority Action Schools Program.

The NSW Priority Schools Programs Guidelines 2009 outline the support provided to Priority Schools and the responsibilities of schools. The guidelines include information about the identification of Priority Schools, the purpose of the program resources, school planning, management of resources and accountability and reporting requirements.

Priority Schools Funding Program

There are over 580 schools receiving Priority School Funding Program resources: 420 primary schools, 90 high schools, 31 central schools and 39 schools for specific purposes.

Download the list of Priority Schools here.

Priority Action Schools Program

There are currently 118 Priority Schools receiving Priority Action School Program resources in 2009 in addition to the resources provided to all Priority Schools. From 2010 to 2012 there will be 101 Priority Action Schools . These schools have been identified as those most affected by the impact of high densities of low soico-economic status.

Download the list of 118 PAS schools for 2009 here.

The Priority Action Schools Expression of interest proforma is available here.

Priority Schools Program induction toolkit

The induction toolkit has been developed to support Priority School communities to further understand and respond to the educational implications of high densities of families from low socio-economic status backgrounds. 

The professional learning materials are intended to be used with the whole school community. They are accessible online in the Resources section of the website. They contain four key modules:

1. Understanding equity
2. School context
3. Raising expectations
4. School planning