Educational psychology specialists are calling for the overhaul of public selective schooling system across NSW after statistics revealed just 2 per cent of students at Penrith High come from the lowest socio-educational background.

The findings come as Parramatta Catholic Education executive director Greg Whitby called for “equity in education” and the dismantling of the selective school system.

University of Technology, Sydney lecturer Christina Ho said public selective schools had become the “most elitist” form of education in the state.

“The vast majority of selective school students are from very highly advantaged backgrounds,” Ms Ho told the Press. “Students that come from the lowest socio-educational advantaged families make up only 2 per cent of the student population at Penrith High School.”

In 2017, Education Department secretary Mark Scott revealed parents could spend more than $20,000 a year on preparation for selective high school testing.

Ms Ho said children of families who did not have the resources required to prepare students for these tests “just aren’t likely to get in”.

“Some children may do better at these schools if they have the financial support behind them, but the disadvantages of selective schools far outway the advantages,” she said.

“There are reports of mental health issues and stories of ruined childhoods, but there are also reports of self-harm and even suicide for students preparing for these tests and students attending these schools. We need to rethink whether we need this kind of intensity in schooling — if you are a parent of a gifted child, you should be confident that they will be catered for at their local school.”

Macquarie University educational psychology lecturer Penny Van Bergen said schools that were more diverse had more benefits.

“Going and sitting for a test and failing can cause considerable family pressure, which can lead to risk of student wellbeing,” Ms Van Bergen said.

Education Minister Rob Stokes said the department was conducting a review of selective schools to ensure it did not “create a rigid, separated public education system”.

A P and C spokesman from Penrith Selective High was not available for comment.

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