Holroyd School vs Sir Eric Woodward Memorial School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in New South Wales, 22 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Holroyd School
Merrylands · Government special · U
189 students · ICSEA 983
Sir Eric Woodward Memorial School
St Ives · Government special · U
75 students · ICSEA 983
| Measure | Holroyd School Merrylands NSW | Sir Eric Woodward Memorial School St Ives NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | U | U |
| Students | 189 | 75 |
| Girls / boys | 56 / 133 | 26 / 49 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +2% | -6% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 983 | 983 |
| ICSEA percentile | 39th | 39th |
| Top SEA quarter | 14% | 18% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 44% | 40% |
| Students per teacher | 4.8 | 3.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 39.7 | 23.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 37.2 | 9.2 |
| Language background other than English | 87% | 38% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 9% |
| Suburb | Merrylands 2160 | St Ives 2075 |
| Council area | Cumberland | Ku-ring-gai |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | holroyd-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | sirericwoo-s.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Sir Eric Woodward Memorial School has fewer students per teacher (3.2 vs 4.8).
- •Holroyd School is the larger school with 189 students compared with 75.
- •Holroyd School has grown faster over five years (2% vs -6%).
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 Holroyd School better than Sir Eric Woodward Memorial 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 Holroyd School and Sir Eric Woodward Memorial School?
About 22 km in a straight line, between Merrylands and St Ives in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Holroyd School has 4.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Sir Eric Woodward Memorial School has 3.2.
How do Holroyd School and Sir Eric Woodward Memorial School rank in NSW?
Holroyd School is unranked and Sir Eric Woodward Memorial School is unranked among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.