John Palmer Public School vs The Ponds School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
John Palmer Public School
The Ponds · Government primary · K-6
950 students · ICSEA 1125
The Ponds School
The Ponds · Government special · U
120 students · ICSEA 1038
| Measure | John Palmer Public School The Ponds NSW | The Ponds School The Ponds NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 77 Top 10% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #112 of 1,619 | – |
| National rank (type) | #417 of 4,908 | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Special |
| Year range | K-6 | U |
| Students | 950 | 120 |
| Girls / boys | 429 / 521 | 44 / 76 |
| Foundation intake | 103 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +1% | +9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1125 | 1038 |
| ICSEA percentile | 90th | 63th |
| Top SEA quarter | 52% | 25% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 5% | 23% |
| Students per teacher | 17.1 | 5.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 55.7 | 23.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 9.4 | 23.1 |
| Language background other than English | 68% | 60% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 6% |
| Suburb | The Ponds 2769 | The Ponds 2769 |
| Council area | Blacktown | Blacktown |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | johnpalmer-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | theponds-s.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •John Palmer Public School has the higher ICSEA (1125 vs 1038), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •The Ponds School has fewer students per teacher (5.0 vs 17.1).
- •John Palmer Public School is the larger school with 950 students compared with 120.
- •The Ponds School has grown faster over five years (9% vs 1%).
The Success Index summarises community advantage, resourcing and momentum from ACARA data. It does not measure teaching quality, results or fit. Methodology.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring The Ponds
Frequently asked questions
Is John Palmer Public School better than The Ponds 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 John Palmer Public School and The Ponds School?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between The Ponds and The Ponds in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
John Palmer Public School has 17.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Ponds School has 5.0.
How do John Palmer Public School and The Ponds School rank in NSW?
John Palmer Public School is 112th of 1,619 and The Ponds School is unranked among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.