Caroline Chisholm School vs Chalmers Road School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in New South Wales, 8.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Caroline Chisholm School
Padstow · Government special · U
104 students · ICSEA 1004
Chalmers Road School
Strathfield · Government special · U
79 students · ICSEA 1006
| Measure | Caroline Chisholm School Padstow NSW | Chalmers Road School Strathfield NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | U | U |
| Students | 104 | 79 |
| Girls / boys | 28 / 76 | 13 / 66 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +7% | +14% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1004 | 1006 |
| ICSEA percentile | 49th | 50th |
| Top SEA quarter | 11% | 16% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 34% | 36% |
| Students per teacher | 4.5 | 5.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 23.3 | 15.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 21.0 | 15.2 |
| Language background other than English | 86% | 90% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 3% |
| Suburb | Padstow 2211 | Strathfield 2135 |
| Council area | Canterbury-Bankstown | Strathfield |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | carolchish-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | chalmersrd-s.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Chalmers Road School has the higher ICSEA (1006 vs 1004), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Caroline Chisholm School has fewer students per teacher (4.5 vs 5.2).
- •Caroline Chisholm School is the larger school with 104 students compared with 79.
- •Chalmers Road School has grown faster over five years (14% vs 7%).
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 Caroline Chisholm School better than Chalmers Road 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 Caroline Chisholm School and Chalmers Road School?
About 8.2 km in a straight line, between Padstow and Strathfield in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Caroline Chisholm School has 4.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Chalmers Road School has 5.2.
How do Caroline Chisholm School and Chalmers Road School rank in NSW?
Caroline Chisholm School is unranked and Chalmers Road School is unranked among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.