Glenvale School vs Newcastle Senior School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in New South Wales, 66 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Glenvale School
Narara · Government special · U
159 students · ICSEA 963
Newcastle Senior School
Waratah · Government special · U
37 students · ICSEA 960
| Measure | Glenvale School Narara NSW | Newcastle Senior School Waratah NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | U | U |
| Students | 159 | 37 |
| Girls / boys | 29 / 130 | 9 / 28 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +7% | -27% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 963 | 960 |
| ICSEA percentile | 30th | 29th |
| Top SEA quarter | 7% | 12% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 47% | 40% |
| Students per teacher | 4.8 | 3.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 33.0 | 11.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 31.4 | 9.4 |
| Language background other than English | 11% | 21% |
| Indigenous students | 11% | 22% |
| Suburb | Narara 2250 | Waratah 2298 |
| Council area | Central Coast (NSW) | Newcastle |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | glenvale-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | newcastles-s.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Glenvale School has the higher ICSEA (963 vs 960), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Newcastle Senior School has fewer students per teacher (3.3 vs 4.8).
- •Glenvale School is the larger school with 159 students compared with 37.
- •Glenvale School has grown faster over five years (7% vs -27%).
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 Glenvale School better than Newcastle Senior 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 Glenvale School and Newcastle Senior School?
About 66 km in a straight line, between Narara and Waratah in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Glenvale School has 4.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Newcastle Senior School has 3.3.
How do Glenvale School and Newcastle Senior School rank in NSW?
Glenvale School is unranked and Newcastle Senior School is unranked among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.