Kurrambee School vs Para Meadows School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in New South Wales, 73 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Kurrambee School
Werrington · Government special · U
104 students · ICSEA 946
Para Meadows School
North Wollongong · Government special · U
113 students · ICSEA 945
| Measure | Kurrambee School Werrington NSW | Para Meadows School North Wollongong NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | U | U |
| Students | 104 | 113 |
| Girls / boys | 29 / 75 | 30 / 83 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -3% | +3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 946 | 945 |
| ICSEA percentile | 23th | 23th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 11% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 50% | 47% |
| Students per teacher | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 22.9 | 25.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 21.0 | 21.0 |
| Language background other than English | 35% | 23% |
| Indigenous students | 15% | 19% |
| Suburb | Werrington 2747 | North Wollongong 2500 |
| Council area | Penrith | Wollongong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | kurrambee-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | parameadow-s.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Kurrambee School has the higher ICSEA (946 vs 945), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Para Meadows School is the larger school with 113 students compared with 104.
- •Para Meadows School has grown faster over five years (3% vs -3%).
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 Kurrambee School better than Para Meadows 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 Kurrambee School and Para Meadows School?
About 73 km in a straight line, between Werrington and North Wollongong in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Kurrambee School has 4.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Para Meadows School has 4.5.
How do Kurrambee School and Para Meadows School rank in NSW?
Kurrambee School is unranked and Para Meadows School is unranked among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.