Senior secondary schooling in Western Australia covers students in Year 11 and Year 12.
General features of Senior Secondary courses and programs
| Courses and Programs | General Features |
| Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) courses | Student results in ATAR courses are used by the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) to calculate a student’s Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). The ATAR is used to determine eligibility for university entrance. |
| General Courses | These courses are not externally examined. However, they each have an externally set task (EST) which is set by the Authority. General courses are for students who are typically aiming to enter further vocationally based training or the workforce straight from school. General courses may be used for alternative entry to some university courses. |
| Vocational Education and Training (VET) industry specific courses | These courses include a full VET qualification and mandatory workplace learning. VET industry specific courses contribute towards the WACE as course units. Qualifications undertaken through VET industry specific courses can be used to meet the Certificate II or higher requirement of the WACE. VET industry specific courses are for students aiming to enter further vocationally based training or the workforce straight from school. Some VET qualifications may be used for alternative entry to some university courses. Information about alternative entry should be sought directly from universities. |
| Foundation Courses | These courses provide a focus on functional literacy and numeracy skills, practical work‐related experience and the opportunity to build personal skills that are important for life and work. Foundation courses are for students who have not been able to demonstrate the minimum standard for literacy and/or numeracy before Year 11 and are unlikely to do so before the end of Year 12 without significant levels of support. |
| Preliminary courses | Preliminary courses are for students who have been identified as having a learning difficulty and/or an intellectual disability. They provide a relevant option for students who: – cannot access the ATAR, General or Foundation course content with adjustment and/or disability provisions – are unable to progress directly to training from school – require modified and/or independent education plans – have been identified as having a recognised disability under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and meet the above criteria. Preliminary courses do not contribute to achievement of the WACE. |
| Endorsed programs | These programs provide access to areas of learning not covered by WACE courses or VET programs and contribute to the WACE as unit equivalents. Endorsed programs are for students wishing to participate in programs which are delivered in a variety of settings by schools, workplaces, universities and community organisations. |
| ASDAN | ASDAN is a not-for-profit, curriculum development organisation and internationally recognised awarding body based in the United Kingdom. ASDAN offers a wide range of curriculum programs and qualifications for all abilities, mainly in the 11-25 age groups. In 2009-2010, the Department of Education introduced the ASDAN Preparatory Award Programs which have been designed for students with special educational needs and disability. Each award program provides a real-life context to promote the development of personal, social, independent, ICT and work-related skills. |
Individual Pathways are developed for every students in Senior School.
