HopeTown School vs Niland School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in New South Wales, 78 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
HopeTown School
Wyong · Government special · U
43 students · ICSEA 797
Niland School
Blackett · Government special · U
34 students · ICSEA 801
| Measure | HopeTown School Wyong NSW | Niland School Blackett NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | U | U |
| Students | 43 | 34 |
| Girls / boys | 0 / 43 | 8 / 26 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +2% | +10% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 797 | 801 |
| ICSEA percentile | 3th | 3th |
| Top SEA quarter | 1% | 2% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 84% | 79% |
| Students per teacher | 3.7 | 3.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 11.7 | 10.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.4 | 9.0 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 16% |
| Indigenous students | 35% | 35% |
| Suburb | Wyong 2259 | Blackett 2770 |
| Council area | Central Coast (NSW) | Blacktown |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | hopetown-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | niland-s.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Niland School has the higher ICSEA (801 vs 797), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •HopeTown School is the larger school with 43 students compared with 34.
- •Niland School has grown faster over five years (10% vs 2%).
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 HopeTown School better than Niland 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 HopeTown School and Niland School?
About 78 km in a straight line, between Wyong and Blackett in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
HopeTown School has 3.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Niland School has 3.4.
How do HopeTown School and Niland School rank in NSW?
HopeTown School is unranked and Niland School is unranked among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.