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Completing Year 10 under special circumstances

Year 10 education through an alternative pathway

This information is for students who are:

  • enrolled in a non-government non-systemic school, and
  • seeking approval to complete Year 10 under special circumstances (other than an apprenticeship or traineeship).

This pathway for completing Year 10 of secondary education comes under 21B(5)(d) of the Education Act 1990 (NSW) (the Act).

The following information is a summary of Sections 3.2 and 3.3 of the Loading . For full details please refer to Sections 3.2 and 3.3 of the Guidelines.

Student eligibility requirements

  • These instructions are only for students currently enrolled in a non-government non-systemic school.
  • Unintended and/or unforeseen circumstances must have arisen that prevent the student from completing education following the regular pathways provided in the Act.
  • Documentary evidence of how the student's education program to date provides an adequate basis for the completion of Year 10 of secondary education.
  • Applications must be received by the end of Term 2.
  • Students must continue to attend school until the approval is received.

What you need before you start

  • Documentary evidence of the student's program of education to date including:
    • a statement of each individual subject or course studied and completed and the result or grade achieved (from Year 7 onwards)
    • the original certificate or any educational qualification achieved as a result of this course of study (where applicable)
    • a statement of record of attendance during the period of study (where applicable)
    • other information relevant to the application.
  • NESA Loading  (other than an apprenticeship or traineeship).

Steps for students enrolled in non-government non-systemic schools

Step 1

Notify NESA of the intention to seek approval for completion of Year 10 under special circumstances.

Contact:

Board Endorsed Courses and Programs via curriculum@nesa.nsw.edu.au or 02 9367 8333.

Information needed:

  • student details
  • parent or caregiver details
  • brief explanation of special circumstances.

Step 2

Parent or caregiver to complete the Loading .

Information needed:

  • documentary evidence of student's education program to date
  • associated certificates or qualifications achieved as a result
  • record of attendance
  • other relevant documentary evidence
  • explanation of why the student’s education amounts to an adequate basis for regarding the student’s education as complete.

Step 3

Parent or caregiver to email the completed application and any additional supporting documentation to curriculum@nesa.nsw.edu.au.

Step 4

The Board Endorsement Panel will consider the application and make a decision.

Step 5

The parent or caregiver will be notified of the Board Endorsement Panel's decision.

Step 6

If approved the student will receive Approval for the Completion of Year 10 under Special Circumstances.

Step 7

The parent or caregiver takes the notice of approval for the completion of Year 10 under special circumstances to the school principal for a Certificate for Exemption from Enrolment at School (for the sole purpose of completion of education under special circumstances).

Please note that students must continue to attend school until the approval is received.