Novo Education Space vs The Illawarra Grammar School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Novo Education Space
Wollongong · Independent special · 9-12
44 students · ICSEA 983
The Illawarra Grammar School
Wollongong West · Independent combined · K-12
970 students · ICSEA 1159
| Measure | Novo Education Space Wollongong NSW | The Illawarra Grammar School Wollongong West NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 80 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | – | #44 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | – | #107 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Special | Combined |
| Year range | 9-12 | K-12 |
| Students | 44 | 970 |
| Girls / boys | 25 / 19 | 464 / 506 |
| Foundation intake | – | 49 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 106 |
| Year 12 cohort | 7 | 92 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -50% | +23% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 983 | 1159 |
| ICSEA percentile | 39th | 96th |
| Top SEA quarter | 11% | 64% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 39% | 2% |
| Students per teacher | 4.9 | 9.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 9.0 | 99.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.8 | 45.4 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 36% |
| Indigenous students | 11% | 2% |
| Suburb | Wollongong 2500 | Wollongong West 2500 |
| Council area | Wollongong | Wollongong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.alescoillawarra.nsw.edu.au | www.tigs.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •The Illawarra Grammar School has the higher ICSEA (1159 vs 983), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Novo Education Space has fewer students per teacher (4.9 vs 9.7).
- •The Illawarra Grammar School is the larger school with 970 students compared with 44.
- •The Illawarra Grammar School has grown faster over five years (23% vs -50%).
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 Novo Education Space better than The Illawarra Grammar 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 Novo Education Space and The Illawarra Grammar School?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Wollongong and Wollongong West in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Novo Education Space has 4.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Illawarra Grammar School has 9.7.
How do Novo Education Space and The Illawarra Grammar School rank in NSW?
Novo Education Space is unranked and The Illawarra Grammar School is 44th of 314 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.