Forrest Parade School vs Palmerston College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Northern Territory, 2.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Forrest Parade School
Bellamack · Government special · T-6
118 students · ICSEA 939
Palmerston College
Driver · Government high school · 7-12
1,267 students · ICSEA 884
| Measure | Forrest Parade School Bellamack NT | Palmerston College Driver NT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 22 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #21 of 23 |
| National rank (type) | – | #1378 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Secondary |
| Year range | T-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 118 | 1,267 |
| Girls / boys | 27 / 91 | 574 / 693 |
| Foundation intake | 17 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 228 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 140 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +36% | +4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 939 | 884 |
| ICSEA percentile | 21th | 8th |
| Top SEA quarter | 12% | 4% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 37% | 54% |
| Students per teacher | 5.8 | 11.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 20.4 | 110.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 34.6 | 76.3 |
| Language background other than English | 41% | 30% |
| Indigenous students | 36% | 39% |
| Suburb | Bellamack 0832 | Driver 0830 |
| Council area | Palmerston | Palmerston |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | forrestparadeschool.nt.edu.au/wp/ | www.palmerstoncollege.nt.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Forrest Parade School has the higher ICSEA (939 vs 884), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Forrest Parade School has fewer students per teacher (5.8 vs 11.4).
- •Palmerston College is the larger school with 1,267 students compared with 118.
- •Forrest Parade School has grown faster over five years (36% vs 4%).
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 Windsor Gardens
Frequently asked questions
Is Forrest Parade School better than Palmerston College?
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 Forrest Parade School and Palmerston College?
About 2.3 km in a straight line, between Bellamack and Driver in Northern Territory.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Forrest Parade School has 5.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Palmerston College has 11.4.
How do Forrest Parade School and Palmerston College rank in NT?
Forrest Parade School is unranked and Palmerston College is 21st of 23 among special schools in Northern Territory on the 2025 Success Index.