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Blackall Range Independent School vs Nambour Special School

A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 4.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.

MeasureBlackall Range Independent School
Kureelpa QLD
Nambour Special School
Burnside QLD
Success Index
53
Top 50%
–
Not rated
State rank (type)#116 of 275–
National rank (type)#597 of 1,259–
SectorIndependentGovernment
TypeCombinedSpecial
Year rangePrep-12Prep-12
Students108132
Girls / boys54 / 5440 / 92
Foundation intake126
Year 7 cohort78
Year 12 cohort49
VCE median study score
VCAA, latest year
––
VCE study scores 40+––
5-year enrolment growth+21%-11%
ICSEA
Average 1000
10391002
ICSEA percentile64th48th
Top SEA quarter15%15%
Bottom SEA quarter14%34%
Students per teacher11.23.5
Teaching staff (FTE)9.637.5
Non-teaching staff (FTE)9.636.1
Language background other than English9%7%
Indigenous students3%9%
SuburbKureelpa 4560Burnside 4560
Council areaSunshine CoastSunshine Coast
RemotenessInner RegionalMajor Cities
Websitewww.brischool.com.au/nambourspecs.eq.edu.au

The verdict

  • •Blackall Range Independent School has the higher ICSEA (1039 vs 1002), indicating a more advantaged community.
  • •Nambour Special School has fewer students per teacher (3.5 vs 11.2).
  • •Nambour Special School is the larger school with 132 students compared with 108.
  • •Blackall Range Independent School has grown faster over five years (21% vs -11%).
  • •Blackall Range Independent School is a independent school while Nambour Special 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 Blackall Range Independent School better than Nambour Special 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 Blackall Range Independent School and Nambour Special School?

About 4.8 km in a straight line, between Kureelpa and Burnside in Queensland.

Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?

Blackall Range Independent School has 11.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Nambour Special School has 3.5.

How do Blackall Range Independent School and Nambour Special School rank in QLD?

Blackall Range Independent School is 116th of 275 and Nambour Special School is unranked among combined schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.