NSW curriculum
The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) sets the curriculum for Kindergarten to Year 12, ensuring high-quality education across NSW.
Key learning areas:
Key learning areas (KLAs) describe broad areas of learning. In NSW, syllabuses are developed within the following KLAs.
- Creative arts
- English
- Human society and its environment (HSIE)
- Languages
- Mathematics
- Personal development, health & physical education (PDHPE)
- Science
- Technological and applied studies
- VET
Information for parents and carers
NESA provides advice about schooling in NSW. For information about learning at all stages of student development, and how NESA engages with parents, teachers and students: Information for parents and carers
Within these key learning areas there are courses and elective subjects.
Mandatory Courses in Years 7-10 are studied by all students in NSW public schools and are set by NESA.
Students choose from a range of elective courses that we offer depending on teacher expertise and the number of students interested in that subject. Information on elective courses is presented to students and parents at Parent Teacher Information Evenings for year 8 and 10.
Record of Student Achievement (RoSA)
Students who do not complete the HSC may receive a RoSA. Learn about eligibility, and the requirements for documents issued to school leavers by NESA by accessing the following link.
NSW Record of School Achievement.
In Years 11 and 12 students study for the Higher School Certificate (HSC).
HSC courses
There are two main types of HSC courses:
Board Developed Courses
These courses have exams that count towards the HSC and the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).Board Endorsed Courses
These courses count towards the HSC, but do not have a HSC exam and do not contribute towards the contribution of the ATAR.
Vocational education and training courses
Students in NSW have the option of studying VET courses at school or through TAFE NSW or other registered training providers.