High potential and gifted education

At The Hospital School at Westmead, we understand that every learner is unique and capable of achieving excellence in their own way, even during times of illness or hospitalisation. We recognise that students may face varying challenges in their learning journey, and some may excel intellectually, creatively, physically, and social-emotionally, or other areas despite health challenges. It is our commitment to empower, challenge, and inspire all students, including those with high potential and gifted abilities, to reach their full potential while receiving care.

Students at The Hospital School at Westmead are provided with modified, flexible, and differentiated learning experiences designed to identify and extend their strengths, talents, and interests, across all areas of learning, within the context of their health and wellbeing needs. We empower learners where they’re at, ensuring that each student’s individual needs and circumstances guide their learning journey.

We work closely in partnership with families, healthcare professionals, and the wider community to support and nurture each student's learning journey. Through thoughtful programming, enrichment, and personalised learning opportunities, we empower every student to grow, achieve, and flourish. We support and recognise advanced learners, providing engaging lessons and activities that promote growth and resilience during their time with us.

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:

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 and across our school

At The Hospital School at Westmead, we are dedicated to nurturing the unique strengths and talents of every student, including those with high potential and gifted abilities. Our approach to student engagement is personalised and flexible, supporting students intellectually, creatively, physically, and emotionally in ways that respect their health and wellbeing needs. Through evidence-based teaching practices and collaborative partnerships, we provide enriching learning experiences that inspire growth, resilience, and excellence.

Our HPGE programs promote student agency, fluidity in learning, connection to their interests, and expansion of their abilities across the four domains of learning.

Evidence-Based Teaching and Support Practices:

    • Creative writing
    • 3D printing projects
    • film-making activities to encourage creative expression through programs like FilmBy and Digi Ed
    • Individual Education Plans (IEPs) tailored to each student’s strengths, needs, and health context
    • Formative and summative assessments to guide learning progress and inform teaching
    • Regular, constructive feedback and feedforward communication with students, families, medical and allied health teams
    • Collaboration with census schools to ensure coordinated care and learning continuity
    • Emphasis on student agency, enabling learners to take ownership of their educational journey
    • Flexible learning pathways to accommodate health fluctuations and individual interests
    • Strong connections with families, healthcare professionals, and the community to support holistic development

At The Hospital School at Westmead, we celebrate the potential in every learner, ensuring their educational experience is enriching, responsive, and empowering, even during times of illness or hospitalisation.

William’s story was published in the James Martin “In My World” competition, showcasing his creativity and originality. This achievement reflects the creative domain of potential, which involves imagination and invention. Our school supports talent development by encouraging creativity, innovation, risk-taking, and problem-solving, helping students like William to express their unique ideas and reach their full potential.
Sophie’s artwork was selected for the Christmas Card Project, demonstrating her strong creative abilities and unique imagination. This achievement aligns with the creative domain of potential, which focuses on originality and inventive thinking. At our school, we nurture talent by encouraging innovation, creativity, and thoughtful risk-taking, helping students like Sophie develop their artistic skills and confidence.
Students participating in Film By develop their creative potential by using imagination and originality to tell stories through filmmaking. This program supports the creative domain of potential by encouraging innovation, problem-solving, and risk-taking. By engaging in Film By’s workshops, festivals, students from public schools across NSW explore their creativity and build valuable skills in the art of cinema.

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

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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.