NSW should have 'selective primary schools' for gifted children: academic

NSW should consider selective primary schools for its most gifted students and give them the same early intervention as students with special needs, according to a leading academic in gifted education.

Buying their way in: selective schools test overhaul

NSW's highly competitive selective school entry test is under review as the government moves to address concerns that wealthy families are buying their way into selective schools through expensive tutoring services.

Sydney Uni unveils genetically-identical clone of iconic jacaranda

A few hours after sunset on Thursday, the jacaranda tree that has been missing for nearly nine months was returned to the University of Sydney's quadrangle.

'Don't bring kids into it': Scientologists target schools

A Church of Scientology group has been targeting schools in NSW and Victoria with brochures and documentaries about the dangers of psychiatrists, antidepressants and ADHD medication.

Schools 'spending less than a cup of coffee per student' on key area

Since he graduated from high school three years ago, Paul Nguyen has done about 1000 hours of paid work and 6000 hours of volunteer work at youth centres and councils.

Playing with fire: early childhood education incorporates risk

Sixty children aged from six months to five years of age at a Newcastle childcare centre were taught how to play with fire, powertools and knives – everything that most modern parents avoid.

'They're so young': Parents fear pollution impact

Parents are concerned about smokestacks that may be built near their children's schools in North Sydney.

The different reasons men and women become teachers

Men often go into teaching because they are interested in a particular subject while women want to shape children's future and make a social contribution, a new study has found.

'Blown away': The classroom move that can improve test scores

At least one day a week, Amanda Lloyd's year 4 class can be found building shelters in the playground or drawing maps as they walk around the school.

'Money grab': $300,000 degrees 'capitalising on students' dreams'

Medical students want public universities banned from the "money-grabbing" practice of offering domestic full-fee-paying places for medical degrees.

Teachers 'should have no fear of being filmed': Call for classroom CCTV

A proposal to install surveillance cameras in classrooms to combat the abuse of children with disabilities has met opposition from the teachers' union.

Public school students fall behind as price not right

Students in public schools are missing out on important learning opportunities because of their parents' inability to pay, with one teacher saying parental attitudes are also to blame.

The public schools where parents pay thousands in fees

• EXCLUSIVE

Parent contributions top $500,000 a year at some NSW public schools, with 22 schools earning the same in voluntary fees as 1764 other schools, new data reveals.

Schools and universities welcome alternative to HSC exams

Students from three Sydney high schools will be able to get into university without having to sit HSC exams or get an ATAR under special agreements with a growing number of universities around Australia.

The deadly hidden disorder inside our universities

• EXCLUSIVE

Rebecca Gallagher was less than six months into her first semester when she was found dead inside her University of Sydney college dormitory.

'Electronic abuse': the big time-waster for principals

• EXCLUSIVE

Principals are increasingly forced to adjudicate spats on social media that involve "destructive comments" and "electronic abuse" that is hurled between students and parents, who use online forums to attack teachers or complain about their school.

University of Sydney will not 'take control of residential colleges', says Michael Spence

The University of Sydney's vice-chancellor Dr Michael Spence says the university has no plans to take over the residential colleges, following claims by a St Paul's alumnus that Dr Spence's recent criticism of the scandal-plagued institution is part of a bid "to get control of the colleges".

The French artist turning school toilet blocks into art

From tired looking demountables to old brick walls and even toilet blocks. Once drab Sydney schools are being transformed into works of art.

Court orders government to release $6.5m funding for Islamic School

A Federal Court judge orders the federal government to no longer withhold funding to one of Australia's largest Islamic schools.

Old computers and slow Wi-Fi putting NSW schools at risk

Students at NSW public schools are struggling with out-of-date computers and slow wireless networks and the key program that provides technology to all schools has not had a funding increase since 2004 despite soaring enrolments, a new Auditor General's report reveals.

'Complex, confusing and inconsistent': plan to increase uni ATAR transparency

Students will be able to see minimum and maximum ATARs for all university course offers from next month and the misleading term ATAR "cut-off" will be phased out, under a new national admissions transparency plan .