Aspect Hunter School vs Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 3.7 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
Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School
Tarro · Catholic primary · K-6
260 students · ICSEA 1013
| Measure | Aspect Hunter School Thornton NSW | Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School Tarro NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 55 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #767 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | – | #2344 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | U | K-6 |
| Students | 290 | 260 |
| Girls / boys | 88 / 202 | 132 / 128 |
| Foundation intake | – | 45 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +49% | +23% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1008 | 1013 |
| ICSEA percentile | 51th | 53th |
| Top SEA quarter | 16% | 12% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 25% | 25% |
| Students per teacher | 4.4 | 14.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 65.7 | 17.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 64.1 | 6.7 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 15% |
| Indigenous students | 13% | 10% |
| Suburb | Thornton 2322 | Tarro 2322 |
| Council area | Maitland | Newcastle |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.autismspectrum.org.au/ | www.tarro.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1013 vs 1008), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Aspect Hunter School has fewer students per teacher (4.4 vs 14.9).
- •Aspect Hunter School is the larger school with 290 students compared with 260.
- •Aspect Hunter School has grown faster over five years (49% vs 23%).
- •Aspect Hunter School is a independent school while Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School is a catholic 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 Our Lady of Lourdes Primary 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 Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School?
About 3.7 km in a straight line, between Thornton and Tarro 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 Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School has 14.9.
How do Aspect Hunter School and Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School rank in NSW?
Aspect Hunter School is unranked and Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School is 767th of 1,619 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.