Biala Special School vs Richmond Christian College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 2.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Biala Special School
Ballina · Independent special · U
33 students · ICSEA 898
Richmond Christian College
Ballina · Independent combined · K-12
327 students · ICSEA 1069
| Measure | Biala Special School Ballina NSW | Richmond Christian College Ballina NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 64 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #122 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | – | #390 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Special | Combined |
| Year range | U | K-12 |
| Students | 33 | 327 |
| Girls / boys | 11 / 22 | 158 / 169 |
| Foundation intake | – | 21 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 35 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 22 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +14% | +58% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 898 | 1069 |
| ICSEA percentile | 10th | 75th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 29% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 54% | 11% |
| Students per teacher | 4.9 | 13.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 6.7 | 25.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 10.3 | 15.3 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 24% |
| Indigenous students | 36% | 5% |
| Suburb | Ballina 2478 | Ballina 2478 |
| Council area | Ballina | Ballina |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.biala.org.au | www.richmond.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Richmond Christian College has the higher ICSEA (1069 vs 898), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Biala Special School has fewer students per teacher (4.9 vs 13.0).
- •Richmond Christian College is the larger school with 327 students compared with 33.
- •Richmond Christian College has grown faster over five years (58% vs 14%).
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 Biala Special School better than Richmond Christian College?
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 Biala Special School and Richmond Christian College?
About 2.3 km in a straight line, between Ballina and Ballina in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Biala Special School has 4.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Richmond Christian College has 13.0.
How do Biala Special School and Richmond Christian College rank in NSW?
Biala Special School is unranked and Richmond Christian College is 122nd of 314 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.