Forster Public School vs Great Lakes College Senior Campus
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 3.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Forster Public School
Forster · Government primary · K-6
573 students · ICSEA 934
Great Lakes College Senior Campus
Tuncurry · Government high school · 11-12
349 students · ICSEA 988
| Measure | Forster Public School Forster NSW | Great Lakes College Senior Campus Tuncurry NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 27 Lower 50% | 50 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1423 of 1,619 | #280 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #4342 of 4,908 | #738 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | K-6 | 11-12 |
| Students | 573 | 349 |
| Girls / boys | 256 / 317 | 171 / 178 |
| Foundation intake | 90 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 145 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -23% | -13% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 934 | 988 |
| ICSEA percentile | 19th | 41th |
| Top SEA quarter | 7% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 46% | 33% |
| Students per teacher | 14.4 | 8.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 39.9 | 39.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 10.1 | 10.6 |
| Language background other than English | 8% | 6% |
| Indigenous students | 26% | 15% |
| Suburb | Forster 2428 | Tuncurry 2428 |
| Council area | Mid-Coast | Mid-Coast |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | forster-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | glcsenior-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Great Lakes College Senior Campus scores higher on the Success Index (50.3 vs 27.1).
- •Great Lakes College Senior Campus has the higher ICSEA (988 vs 934), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Great Lakes College Senior Campus has fewer students per teacher (8.8 vs 14.4).
- •Forster Public School is the larger school with 573 students compared with 349.
- •Great Lakes College Senior Campus has grown faster over five years (-13% vs -23%).
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 Forster Public School better than Great Lakes College Senior Campus?
On the Success Index, Great Lakes College Senior Campus ranks higher (50.3 vs 27.1 out of 100). The index measures community advantage and momentum from ACARA data, not teaching quality, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Forster Public School and Great Lakes College Senior Campus?
About 3.6 km in a straight line, between Forster and Tuncurry in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Forster Public School has 14.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Great Lakes College Senior Campus has 8.8.
How do Forster Public School and Great Lakes College Senior Campus rank in NSW?
Forster Public School is 1423rd of 1,619 and Great Lakes College Senior Campus is 280th of 539 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.