Caldera School vs Peterborough School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in New South Wales, 750 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Caldera School
Tweed Heads South · Government special · U
24 students · ICSEA 936
Peterborough School
Warilla · Government special · U
115 students · ICSEA 938
| Measure | Caldera School Tweed Heads South NSW | Peterborough School Warilla NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | U | U |
| Students | 24 | 115 |
| Girls / boys | 7 / 17 | 29 / 86 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -8% | +6% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 936 | 938 |
| ICSEA percentile | 20th | 21th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 5% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 45% | 52% |
| Students per teacher | 2.9 | 4.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 8.2 | 23.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 9.0 | 21.0 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 15% |
| Indigenous students | 33% | 16% |
| Suburb | Tweed Heads South 2486 | Warilla 2528 |
| Council area | Tweed | Shellharbour |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | caldera-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | peterboro-s.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Peterborough School has the higher ICSEA (938 vs 936), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Caldera School has fewer students per teacher (2.9 vs 4.9).
- •Peterborough School is the larger school with 115 students compared with 24.
- •Peterborough School has grown faster over five years (6% vs -8%).
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 Caldera School better than Peterborough 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 Caldera School and Peterborough School?
About 750 km in a straight line, between Tweed Heads South and Warilla in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Caldera School has 2.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Peterborough School has 4.9.
How do Caldera School and Peterborough School rank in NSW?
Caldera School is unranked and Peterborough School is unranked among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.