McCarthy Catholic College vs Tamworth Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 2.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
McCarthy Catholic College
West Tamworth · Catholic high school · 7-12
935 students · ICSEA 991
Tamworth Public School
Tamworth · Government primary · K-6
891 students · ICSEA 997
| Measure | McCarthy Catholic College West Tamworth NSW | Tamworth Public School Tamworth NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 43 Lower 50% | 43 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #323 of 539 | #1042 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #889 of 1,472 | #3252 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 935 | 891 |
| Girls / boys | 529 / 406 | 406 / 485 |
| Foundation intake | – | 106 |
| Year 7 cohort | 189 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 115 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +16% | 0% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 991 | 997 |
| ICSEA percentile | 42th | 46th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 20% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 30% | 28% |
| Students per teacher | 13.6 | 17.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 69.0 | 51.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 30.6 | 8.9 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 16% |
| Indigenous students | 13% | 20% |
| Suburb | West Tamworth 2340 | Tamworth 2340 |
| Council area | Tamworth | Tamworth |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | mccarthy.nsw.edu.au/ | tamworth-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (42.9 vs 42.5).
- •Tamworth Public School has the higher ICSEA (997 vs 991), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •McCarthy Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (13.6 vs 17.3).
- •McCarthy Catholic College is the larger school with 935 students compared with 891.
- •McCarthy Catholic College has grown faster over five years (16% vs 0%).
- •McCarthy Catholic College is a catholic school while Tamworth Public School is a government 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 McCarthy Catholic College better than Tamworth Public 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 McCarthy Catholic College and Tamworth Public School?
About 2.1 km in a straight line, between West Tamworth and Tamworth in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
McCarthy Catholic College has 13.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Tamworth Public School has 17.3.
How do McCarthy Catholic College and Tamworth Public School rank in NSW?
McCarthy Catholic College is 323rd of 539 and Tamworth Public School is 1042nd of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.