Sefton High School operates one of the most respected partially selective streams in NSW. Located in south-western Sydney, its selective stream has built a strong academic reputation that many families regard as comparable to some fully selective schools.
Widely regarded as the gold standard of partially selective schools. Many families consider Sefton's selective stream a genuine alternative to fully selective entry.
Key Features
Languages: Arabic, Japanese
Estimated Cutoff Scores
How Sefton compares under the old and new test systems.
Entry Requirements
- 1Sit the NSW Selective High School Placement Test (May 2026)
- 2List Sefton as a preference on your application
- 3Score competitively across all four modules: Reading, Maths, Thinking Skills, and Writing
- 4Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
How to Prepare
A structured approach to preparing for Sefton entry.
A strong, balanced performance across all four sections is key to gaining entry to Sefton. Consistent practice across Reading, Maths, Thinking Skills, and Writing will build the confidence and speed needed for test day.
Assess Current Level
Target Your Weaknesses
Master Time Management
Polish Your Writing
Simulate Exam Day
Practise under timed conditions to build exam stamina and focus on any weaker areas. Use AI writing feedback to refine your typed responses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from parents about Sefton.
Sefton High School is partially selective. It operates a selective stream alongside its comprehensive intake. The selective stream typically offers around 60 places per year and has one of the strongest reputations among partial selective schools in NSW.
Sefton's selective stream is estimated to require scores in the range of 82-90 out of 120 on the new computer-based test format (equivalent to approximately 175-190 out of 300 on the old system). These are estimates — NSW DoE does not publish official cut-off scores.
Sefton's selective stream has an excellent reputation and many families consider it comparable to some fully selective schools. Students in the selective stream follow an accelerated academic pathway and consistently achieve strong HSC results. However, the broader school also includes comprehensive-intake students.
Sefton High School typically offers around 60 places in its selective stream each year, which is smaller than the 120-180 places at most fully selective schools. This can make competition for places quite intense among south-western Sydney families.
This depends on your priorities. Sefton's selective stream delivers strong academic outcomes and may offer a shorter commute for south-western Sydney families. Some parents prefer the environment of a fully selective school where all students are selectively placed. Consider commute time, school culture, and your child's preferences when deciding.