Aspect Hunter School vs Metford Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two 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
Metford Public School
Metford · Government primary · K-6
265 students · ICSEA 887
| Measure | Aspect Hunter School Thornton NSW | Metford Public School Metford NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 24 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #1509 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | – | #4582 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | U | K-6 |
| Students | 290 | 265 |
| Girls / boys | 88 / 202 | 119 / 146 |
| Foundation intake | – | 39 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +49% | -22% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1008 | 887 |
| ICSEA percentile | 51th | 8th |
| Top SEA quarter | 16% | 2% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 25% | 64% |
| Students per teacher | 4.4 | 12.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 65.7 | 21.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 64.1 | 6.6 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 12% |
| Indigenous students | 13% | 28% |
| Suburb | Thornton 2322 | Metford 2323 |
| Council area | Maitland | Maitland |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.autismspectrum.org.au/ | metford-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Aspect Hunter School has the higher ICSEA (1008 vs 887), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Aspect Hunter School has fewer students per teacher (4.4 vs 12.3).
- •Aspect Hunter School is the larger school with 290 students compared with 265.
- •Aspect Hunter School has grown faster over five years (49% vs -22%).
- •Aspect Hunter School is a independent school while Metford Public 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 Metford Public 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 Metford Public 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 Metford Public School has 12.3.
How do Aspect Hunter School and Metford Public School rank in NSW?
Aspect Hunter School is unranked and Metford Public School is 1509th of 1,619 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.