Heaton Public School vs Margaret Jurd College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Heaton Public School
Jesmond · Government primary · K-6
162 students · ICSEA 955
Margaret Jurd College
Shortland · Independent special · U
103 students · ICSEA 889
| Measure | Heaton Public School Jesmond NSW | Margaret Jurd College Shortland NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 39 Lower 50% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #1130 of 1,619 | – |
| National rank (type) | #3534 of 4,908 | – |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Special |
| Year range | K-6 | U |
| Students | 162 | 103 |
| Girls / boys | 78 / 84 | 53 / 50 |
| Foundation intake | 22 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -12% | +45% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 955 | 889 |
| ICSEA percentile | 27th | 9th |
| Top SEA quarter | 11% | 9% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 43% | 56% |
| Students per teacher | 12.4 | 5.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 13.1 | 18.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 2.0 | 26.5 |
| Language background other than English | 57% | 0% |
| Indigenous students | 13% | 46% |
| Suburb | Jesmond 2299 | Shortland 2307 |
| Council area | Newcastle | Newcastle |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | heaton-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.mjc.nsw.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Heaton Public School has the higher ICSEA (955 vs 889), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Margaret Jurd College has fewer students per teacher (5.6 vs 12.4).
- •Heaton Public School is the larger school with 162 students compared with 103.
- •Margaret Jurd College has grown faster over five years (45% vs -12%).
- •Heaton Public School is a government school while Margaret Jurd College is an independent school, so fees and enrolment rules differ.
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 Heaton Public School better than Margaret Jurd College?
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 Heaton Public School and Margaret Jurd College?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Jesmond and Shortland in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Heaton Public School has 12.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Margaret Jurd College has 5.6.
How do Heaton Public School and Margaret Jurd College rank in NSW?
Heaton Public School is 1130th of 1,619 and Margaret Jurd College is unranked among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.