Sweeping review flagged for NSW selective school testing after tests postponed from crowd control chaos

A sweeping review is set to probe what led to chaotic scenes outside selective school test venues in one Aussie state, which resulted in tests being cancelled and police having to control crowds of parents.

A sweeping review into the administration of this year’s opportunity class and selective high school testing across NSW, after “significant disruptions” resulted in 20,000 having their tests postponed and police getting involved in crowd control.

The state’s Department of Education this year decided to host some of the selective school entrance exams in large halls in Randwick, Canterbury and Sydney Olympic Park.

While the majority of testing centres across NSW delivered the testing as planned, the three major venues were significantly disrupted when parents arrived to pick up their children from morning sessions.

Police were even deployed to assist with the massive crowds that followed, and afternoon tests had to be put off.

Chaotic scenes erupted at selective school testing centres earlier in May as parents attempted to pick up their children, resulting in police being called in. Picture: Reddit

Selective tests at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney Olympic Park and Canterbury Racecourse were all postponed as a result of the chaos. Picture: 9News

In a statement, NSW Deputy Premier Prue Car said Dr Michele Bruniges AM - a former secretary of the Australian Department of Education - had been appointed to head the independent review into the issues which led to the tests being disrupted.

She said Dr Bruniges would look at the challenges facing those testing venues, why they occurred and would “provide recommendations on how to prevent any repeat” of the issues.

NSW Deputy Premier Prue Car said the disruptions which occurred were ‘not acceptable’. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Dr Bruniges will also look at the department’s delivery of the rescheduled and re-sit tests - which were held over May 17-18 and 24-25 - and recommend on how testing should be done in the future.

“The disruption that occurred at the three large testing centres on the first day of testing was not acceptable,” Ms Car said.

“That’s why I have ordered an independent review to ensure that it does not happen again and determine the path forward informed by expert advice.”

On May 2, police were called to control a crowd of about 2600 parents and students waiting to get into and exit the exam room at Canterbury Park Racecourse about noon on May 2.

The Daily Telegraph reports staff barricaded the doors when some parents became “aggressive”.

A NSW Police spokesman said police were called to the racecourse on King St after reports of traffic and crowd control issues.

Students whose exams were disrupted re-sat their selective tests over dates on May 17-18 and 24-25, Ms Car said. Picture: Supplied

“Officers attached to Burwood Police Area Command were told about 1300 students had finished exams and were trying to leave with their parents, while another 1300 students plus parents attempted to enter the facility,” the spokesman said.

“Police assisted with movement of crowds and traffic to ensure safety at the scene. Traffic has now returned to normal.

“We haven’t been notified of injuries so far.”

Originally published as Sweeping review flagged for NSW selective school testing after tests postponed from crowd control chaos