Establishing a School Centre

What's Involved in Becoming Part of the Extension Program?

Commitment to Teaching Extension Studies

If you are accepted for Extension Program Teacher Training, it is expected that upon completion of your training, you will actively participate in the Program by running an Extension Program class at your school.

More specifically, you should be committed to establishing your school as an Extension Program School Centre within two years of completing teacher training. This intention must be stated on your teacher training application form and in the letter of support from your school Principal.

In the interests of delivering an equitable and accessible extension studies program, School Centres are strongly encouraged to offer Extension Program classes not only to students from their own school, but also to students from other schools.

School Centres may decide to offer a class only if a minimum number of enrolments is received. The University of Melbourne Extension Program will request details about minimum class sizes from School Centres in September.

How do I set up my school as an Extension Program School Centre?

This is an issue you need to discuss carefully with your Principal and any other relevant staff at your school before deciding to undertake training. In particular, you should consider the following:

Teaching load and funding

You will need to discuss with your principal how teaching Extension Program classes at your school will affect your teaching load and how your Extension Program teaching will be funded.

The University of Melbourne currently charges no fees to teachers for Extension Program teacher training, or to participating students. As a consequence, the University is unable to offer financial assistance to schools that teach an Extension Program class.

Some Extension Program School Centres charge fees to participating students to cover administrative and/or teaching costs. Whilst the University of Melbourne Extension Program does not regulate the level of fees charged by schools, it is recommended that any fees charged are kept as low as possible. This is to help ensure that Extension Program studies remain accessible to as many students as possible. You will be requested to confirm your participation as an Extension Program School Centre and provide details of any fees in September of each year.

Extension Program School Centres are responsible for invoicing students for fees and the collection of monies.

Timetabling of classes

Extension Program classes should be scheduled after normal school hours, so that as many students as possible may attend, both from your own school and from other schools. You will be requested to provide timetable details in September of each year. The commencing and finishing dates of classes are determined by the school and are not required to coincide with the University’s semester dates. In general, most classes at Extension Program School Centres commence sometime in February or March.

The due dates for assessment and end of semester examinations are determined by the University, and examinations will be held during the official University examination period (usually a three week period in June and November).