Sydney Secondary College: how selective entry works

The college is partially selective: each Year 7 campus has selective classes inside a local high school^{1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}. ^{1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published} A selective seat comes only through the Selective test, and you apply to the NSW Department of Education.

The Department lists Balmain and Leichhardt as separate schools, each with its own places. So each campus takes its own spot among your 3^{2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published} choices. Places go by test performance and the order of your school choices^{2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}.

1. Pick your campus or campuses

   Balmain, Leichhardt, or both, in your order of preference. ^{1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}

2. Apply and sit the test

   Apply expected November 2026–February 2027^{3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected} for entry in 2028; the test is expected early May 2027^{3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected}.

3. One offer at most, at first

   Expected August 2027^{3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected}, from your highest qualifying choice. ^{4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}

4. Years 11 and 12 at Blackwattle Bay

   Students generally move there after Year 10. ^{1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}

How do the three campuses fit together?

Think of one college with a junior and a senior stage. The layout is Balmain and Leichhardt (Years 7–10), Blackwattle Bay (Years 11–12)^{1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}.

How is the selective class taught?

At Leichhardt, selective students in Years 7 and 8 are fully grouped in all subjects^{5Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt Campus · 13 October 2026 · Published}. In Years 9 and 10 they stay grouped together in core subjects, mixed in electives^{5Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt Campus · 13 October 2026 · Published}.

Leichhardt's selective students then move to Blackwattle Bay, where they can choose from all available HSC extension courses^{5Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt Campus · 13 October 2026 · Published}. Balmain runs selective, comprehensive (with enrichment and specialist programs) and special education streams^{6Sydney Secondary College Balmain Campus · 13 October 2026 · Published}.

Balmain is at Terry Street, Rozelle^{1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published} and Leichhardt at Balmain Road, Leichhardt^{1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}. Both are in the Sydney - Inner West^{8NSW Education data · 13 October 2026 · Published} region.

Blackwattle Bay is at Taylor St, Glebe^{1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}, so the senior trip changes. The Department notes less travel could reduce harm to schoolwork and wellbeing^{2NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}, and eligible students can get free or subsidised travel to and from school^{9Transport for NSW · 13 October 2026 · Published}.

Balmain campus and Leichhardt campus open in your own map app. ^{8NSW Education data · 13 October 2026 · Published 8NSW Education data · 13 October 2026 · Published}

Possibly, in Years 8 to 10. Applications for both campuses are managed by the Leichhardt campus^{6Sydney Secondary College Balmain Campus · 13 October 2026 · Published}. At Leichhardt, students may transfer into the selective stream in Years 8 to 10, if a place is available^{5Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt Campus · 13 October 2026 · Published}.

Check the Balmain or Leichhardt enrol page for which form to use. ^{11NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}

The Department asks you to weigh your child's interests and abilities, academic and co-curricular needs, social and emotional needs, and any specialised support^{2NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}. Tick what's true; nothing is saved or sent.

• ✓

  Your child wants to go. The Department calls choosing a school your child wants to go to^{2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published} an important consideration.

• ✓

  A move to a new campus for Years 11 and 12 suits your child. ^{1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}

• ✓

  Learning with the same selective class in most subjects suits your child. ^{5Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt Campus · 13 October 2026 · Published}

• ✓

  You like a school with selective, mainstream and special education streams side by side. ^{6Sydney Secondary College Balmain Campus · 13 October 2026 · Published}

• ✓

  You've tried the trip to each campus at school times.

• ✓

  You've booked a tour. ^{6Sydney Secondary College Balmain Campus · 13 October 2026 · Published}

No. There is no set minimum entry score^{4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published} for either campus. The level each year depends on how many children apply, how they perform, the places available and how many offers are declined^{4NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}.

A "cut-off" quoted online is not a Department figure, and HSC tables describe past Year 12 students. The Department suggests you ask friends, family and your community about their experiences^{2NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}.

Both campuses use the statewide Selective timetable. Exact dates for Year 7 entry in 2028: Not published^{3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Not published}. The months below are expected.

1. November 2026–February 2027 Expected^{3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected}

   Apply, with Balmain or Leichhardt on your list

   For a child in Year 5 in 2026.

2. early May 2027 Expected^{3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected}

   The Selective test

3. August 2027 Expected^{3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected}

   Outcomes

Balmain runs fortnightly school tours from Term 2, booked by calling reception^{6Sydney Secondary College Balmain Campus · 13 October 2026 · Published}. 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)^{3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published} only by declining that accepted offer by then. ^{4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}

These three are the nearest to either junior campus, by straight line from the Department's coordinates. Two of them are fully selective.

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