Aspect Hunter School vs Hunter River Community School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in New South Wales, 3.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Aspect Hunter School
Thornton · Independent special · U
290 students · ICSEA 1008
Hunter River Community School
Metford · Government special · U
70 students · ICSEA 958
| Measure | Aspect Hunter School Thornton NSW | Hunter River Community School Metford NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | U | U |
| Students | 290 | 70 |
| Girls / boys | 88 / 202 | 19 / 51 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +49% | +0% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1008 | 958 |
| ICSEA percentile | 51th | 28th |
| Top SEA quarter | 16% | 6% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 25% | 50% |
| Students per teacher | 4.4 | 4.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 65.7 | 15.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 64.1 | 13.8 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 15% |
| Indigenous students | 13% | 11% |
| Suburb | Thornton 2322 | Metford 2323 |
| Council area | Maitland | Maitland |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.autismspectrum.org.au/ | hunterrivc-s.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Aspect Hunter School has the higher ICSEA (1008 vs 958), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Aspect Hunter School is the larger school with 290 students compared with 70.
- •Aspect Hunter School has grown faster over five years (49% vs 0%).
- •Aspect Hunter School is a independent school while Hunter River Community School is a government school, so fees and enrolment rules differ.
The Success Index summarises community advantage, resourcing and momentum from ACARA data. It does not measure teaching quality, results or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Aspect Hunter School better than Hunter River Community School?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Aspect Hunter School and Hunter River Community School?
About 3.1 km in a straight line, between Thornton and Metford in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Aspect Hunter School has 4.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Hunter River Community School has 4.4.
How do Aspect Hunter School and Hunter River Community School rank in NSW?
Aspect Hunter School is unranked and Hunter River Community School is unranked among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.