Sefton High School: how selective entry works
Independent. Not affiliated with the NSW Department of Education.
Sefton High School is a co-ed, partially selective school in Sefton, with 441NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published Year 7 selective places for boys and 441NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published for girls for entry in 2027. Those places come through the NSW Selective test, not the catchment.
Sefton's selective places come from the Selective test. A free section needs no account.
How does a child get a selective place at Sefton?
By sitting the NSW Selective test. 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published The NSW Department of Education runs the test and makes every Year 7 selective offer. Sefton describes its two ways in as academically selective enrolment through the Department's testing, and community enrolment based on the local area2Sefton High School · 13 October 2026 · Published.
You apply online to the Department, naming up to 33NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published schools. Your child sits the test in Year 61NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, and offers go by test performance and the order of your school choices3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Apply online
Expected November 2026–February 20274NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected, for entry in 2028.
Reserve list
When a Sefton place is declined, the school's reserve list moves to the next child. 6NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
Is Sefton fully selective?
No. Sefton is partially selective, which the Department describes as selective classes inside a local high school1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. Selective classes and local classes share the same school site.
How many selective places are there for boys and girls?
The Department lists 441NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published Year 7 selective places for boys and 441NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published for girls for entry in 2027. The numbers match because coeducational schools have equal places for girls and boys from the 2027 intake7NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
places for boys in Year 7 selective classes, entry in 2027
places for girls in Year 7 selective classes, entry in 2027
Entry is still based on test performance7NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published, for boys and girls alike. Unfilled places go to the other gender7NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Where is Sefton High School, and how do students get there?
The Department lists the school at Hector Street, Sefton1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, in the Sydney - Parramatta8NSW Education data · 13 October 2026 · Published region.
The nearest rail station, the school's travel page says, is Sefton Station; students walk from there, and the school has no bus9Sefton High School · 13 October 2026 · Published. Plan your child's whole trip with that in mind.
Students may be eligible for free or subsidised travel to and from school10Transport for NSW · 13 October 2026 · Published. The Department notes that less travel could reduce harm to schoolwork and wellbeing3NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. Plan your commute opens the school in your own map app. 8NSW Education data · 13 October 2026 · Published
Who can apply for the selective stream at Sefton?
Any child who sits the Selective test. The selective stream ignores the catchment, so you can apply to any selective school, in or out of your area1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Your family must be living in NSW by the start of the entry year4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. Conditions may apply to non-citizens4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. The application is free11NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
What about the Sefton catchment zone?
The catchment only matters for the community stream. Sefton says it is at or near capacity, with very little scope for out-of-area places in the community stream12Sefton High School · 13 October 2026 · Published. 2Sefton High School · 13 October 2026 · Published
The Department's non-local enrolment policy applies to community students, not to the selective intake12Sefton High School · 13 October 2026 · Published, the school's Enrolment page says. So living outside the zone doesn't count against a selective application.
Can my child join the selective stream after Year 7?
Possibly, when a vacancy comes up. Sefton says Years 8 to 11 applications use Department of Education application forms, which become available in June each year12Sefton High School · 13 October 2026 · Published. 13NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
| Sefton, Years 8 to 11 | What is known |
|---|---|
| The last round, entry in 2027 | Opened 17 June 202613NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, closed 24 July 202613NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| The form, according to the Department | the school's own online form or the Department's general form13NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Documents to include | a copy of your child's birth certificate, citizenship or passport, and any extra forms the school asks for13NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Vacancies | depend on students leaving, and some schools have none in some years13NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| The next round | Not published13NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Not published |
The school's page and the Department's page describe the form differently. Check both when applications open, and follow the newer one.
Where should Sefton go in your list of choices?
List only schools you would genuinely like your child to attend3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, in the order you prefer, up to 33NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. A higher spot gives Sefton no extra weight. 3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published See how to order choices.
The two nearest selective schools are single-sex: Auburn Girls and Granville Boys. A family with a daughter might list Sefton first and Auburn Girls second.
| Sefton as choice 1, Auburn Girls as choice 2 | What follows |
|---|---|
| Your daughter reaches Sefton's level | A Sefton offer; Auburn Girls shows "not applicable". 6NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| She reaches the Auburn Girls level only | An Auburn Girls offer, maybe with a Sefton reserve place. 6NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| She reaches neither | No offer. 6NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
For a son, Granville Boys plays the same part. Waiting on the Sefton list after declining a lower offer brings no certainty of a later reserve offer3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Is Sefton a good fit for your child?
The Department asks you to think about your child's interests and abilities, academic and co-curricular needs, social and emotional needs, and any specialised support3NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. Tick what's true; nothing is saved.
Your child wants to go. The Department calls choosing a school your child wants to go to3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published an important consideration.
A co-ed school suits your child better than a single-sex one. 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
The train to Sefton, then a walk, works for your child. 9Sefton High School · 13 October 2026 · Published
Your child is happy to study a language in Year 8. 14Sefton High School · 13 October 2026 · Published
An accelerated path to the HSC interests your family. 15Sefton High School · 13 October 2026 · Published
You've visited, or plan to. 3NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published
What does Sefton say about itself?
Sefton offers an accelerated HSC pathway for high achieving students15Sefton High School · 13 October 2026 · Published. Its sport facilities include three basketball courts (one roofed), two European handball courts, two volleyball and netball courts, two cricket nets and a main oval16Sefton High School · 13 October 2026 · Published. We link to its pages and aren't connected to the school.
Which languages does Sefton teach?
A language is compulsory in Year 8, and from Year 9 French and Japanese may be electives, depending on student choices14Sefton High School · 13 October 2026 · Published. Ask which senior language courses will run in your child's year.
Is there a minimum score or ranking for Sefton?
No. There is no set minimum entry score6NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published for Sefton or any selective school. The result needed depends each year on how many children apply, how they perform, the places available and how many offers are declined6NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published.
| Question | Published answer |
|---|---|
| Sefton's selective score | No set minimum entry score6NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| How far Sefton's reserve list moves | Not published6NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Not published |
| Sefton's state rank | Not published1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Not published |
A school's HSC rank looks back at Year 12. It can't tell you what a Year 7 offer needs. For reviews, the Department suggests you ask friends, family and your community about their experiences3NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Does Sefton charge fees?
No attendance fees. Selective schools charge no attendance fees, except boarding1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, and Sefton takes no boarders. Applying, the test and enrolling are free11NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Contributions are at the discretion of parents and carers17NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. In 2026 the Department caps them at A$11017NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published for a secondary school. No student can be kept out of lessons or school activities for not paying17NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Electives can carry subject contributions. 17NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published
When are the next dates for Sefton?
Sefton follows the statewide selective dates. Exact dates for Year 7 entry in 2028: Not published4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Not published. The months below are expected.
November 2026–February 2027 Expected4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected
Apply, with Sefton as a choice
For a child in Year 5 in 2026.
early May 2027 Expected4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected
The test
August 2027 Expected4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected
Outcomes
Some older dates on Sefton's own Enrolment page differ from the Department's. Go by the Department's dates.
If this school is a higher choice than an offer you've accepted, you can stay on its reserve list after 3 December 2026, 3 pm (Sydney time)4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published only by declining that accepted offer by then. 6NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
How can my child prepare for Sefton's selective stream?
Every school uses the same test, so there's no Sefton-only preparation. The Department says coaching is not necessary18NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, and your child needs a small amount of preparation4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. It also offers free resources in the Student Resource Hub18NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Our free practice test runs the 418NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published sections at real timing: one full practice test with results, with a free account19SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published. It can't tell you whether Sefton will offer your child a place.
Which selective schools are near Sefton?
These three are nearest by straight line, from the Department's coordinates. The first two take only girls or only boys.
| School | Type | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Auburn Girls 8NSW Education data · 13 October 2026 · Published | Partially selective1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, girls | Hunter Street and Braemar Ave, Auburn1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Granville Boys 8NSW Education data · 13 October 2026 · Published | Partially selective1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, boys | 14 Mary Street, Granville1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Moorebank 8NSW Education data · 13 October 2026 · Published | Partially selective1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, co-ed | Bangalow Avenue, Moorebank1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
Questions parents ask about Sefton
Is Sefton High School fully selective?
No. It is one of 271NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published partially selective high schools in NSW, with a selective stream and a community stream. 2Sefton High School · 13 October 2026 · Published
When is the Sefton open day?
Most schools hold open days or tours, listed on their own websites3NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. Ask Sefton about a visit through its contact page.
Is Sefton High School a good school?
That depends on what your child needs, and there is no official ranking to settle it. 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Not published Use the checklist above, and visit if you can. 3NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published