Forbes North Public School vs Muswellbrook South Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 296 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Forbes North Public School
Forbes · Government primary · K-6
203 students · ICSEA 818
Muswellbrook South Public School
Muswellbrook · Government primary · K-6
439 students · ICSEA 819
| Measure | Forbes North Public School Forbes NSW | Muswellbrook South Public School Muswellbrook NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 19 Lower 50% | 19 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1592 of 1,619 | #1593 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #4818 of 4,908 | #4820 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 203 | 439 |
| Girls / boys | 105 / 98 | 203 / 236 |
| Foundation intake | 22 | 48 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -18% | -13% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 818 | 819 |
| ICSEA percentile | 3th | 3th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 1% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 73% | 79% |
| Students per teacher | 12.0 | 12.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 16.9 | 34.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.6 | 11.8 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 6% |
| Indigenous students | 54% | 46% |
| Suburb | Forbes 2871 | Muswellbrook 2333 |
| Council area | Forbes | Muswellbrook |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | forbesnth-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | muswellbrs-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (19.0 vs 19.0).
- •Muswellbrook South Public School has the higher ICSEA (819 vs 818), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Forbes North Public School has fewer students per teacher (12.0 vs 12.6).
- •Muswellbrook South Public School is the larger school with 439 students compared with 203.
- •Muswellbrook South Public School has grown faster over five years (-13% vs -18%).
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 Forbes North Public School better than Muswellbrook South Public 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 Forbes North Public School and Muswellbrook South Public School?
About 296 km in a straight line, between Forbes and Muswellbrook in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Forbes North Public School has 12.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Muswellbrook South Public School has 12.6.
How do Forbes North Public School and Muswellbrook South Public School rank in NSW?
Forbes North Public School is 1592nd of 1,619 and Muswellbrook South Public School is 1593rd of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.