Cairnsfoot School vs Tallowood School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in New South Wales, 33 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cairnsfoot School
Brighton-Le-Sands · Government special · U
99 students · ICSEA 1036
Tallowood School
Kellyville · Government special · U
98 students · ICSEA 1034
| Measure | Cairnsfoot School Brighton-Le-Sands NSW | Tallowood School Kellyville NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | U | U |
| Students | 99 | 98 |
| Girls / boys | 23 / 76 | 25 / 73 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -3% | +3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1036 | 1034 |
| ICSEA percentile | 62th | 62th |
| Top SEA quarter | 17% | 20% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 24% | 24% |
| Students per teacher | 4.2 | 4.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 23.8 | 21.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 22.0 | 21.0 |
| Language background other than English | 76% | 56% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 4% |
| Suburb | Brighton-Le-Sands 2216 | Kellyville 2155 |
| Council area | Bayside (NSW) | The Hills |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | cairnsfoot-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | tallowood-s.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Cairnsfoot School has the higher ICSEA (1036 vs 1034), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cairnsfoot School is the larger school with 99 students compared with 98.
- •Tallowood School has grown faster over five years (3% vs -3%).
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 Cairnsfoot School better than Tallowood 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 Cairnsfoot School and Tallowood School?
About 33 km in a straight line, between Brighton-Le-Sands and Kellyville in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cairnsfoot School has 4.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Tallowood School has 4.5.
How do Cairnsfoot School and Tallowood School rank in NSW?
Cairnsfoot School is unranked and Tallowood School is unranked among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.