Main Arm Upper Public School vs Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 8.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Main Arm Upper Public School
Upper Main Arm · Government primary · K-6
88 students · ICSEA 1016
Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School
Mullumbimby · Independent combined · K-12
587 students · ICSEA 1070
| Measure | Main Arm Upper Public School Upper Main Arm NSW | Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School Mullumbimby NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 50 Top 50% | 59 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #869 of 1,619 | #154 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | #2660 of 4,908 | #482 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | K-6 | K-12 |
| Students | 88 | 587 |
| Girls / boys | 42 / 46 | 315 / 272 |
| Foundation intake | 9 | 52 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 50 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 34 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -3% | -10% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1016 | 1070 |
| ICSEA percentile | 54th | 75th |
| Top SEA quarter | 16% | 29% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 24% | 8% |
| Students per teacher | 17.3 | 10.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 5.1 | 58.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 1.6 | 46.1 |
| Language background other than English | 38% | 27% |
| Indigenous students | 7% | 6% |
| Suburb | Upper Main Arm 2482 | Mullumbimby 2482 |
| Council area | Byron | Byron |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | mainarmup-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.shearwater.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School scores higher on the Success Index (58.8 vs 50.4).
- •Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School has the higher ICSEA (1070 vs 1016), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School has fewer students per teacher (10.0 vs 17.3).
- •Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School is the larger school with 587 students compared with 88.
- •Main Arm Upper Public School has grown faster over five years (-3% vs -10%).
- •Main Arm Upper Public School is a government school while Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School 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 Main Arm Upper Public School better than Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School?
On the Success Index, Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School ranks higher (58.8 vs 50.4 out of 100). The index measures community advantage and momentum from ACARA data, not teaching quality, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Main Arm Upper Public School and Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School?
About 8.1 km in a straight line, between Upper Main Arm and Mullumbimby in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Main Arm Upper Public School has 17.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School has 10.0.
How do Main Arm Upper Public School and Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School rank in NSW?
Main Arm Upper Public School is 869th of 1,619 and Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School is 154th of 314 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.