Ngutu College vs Pennington School R-6
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 1.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Ngutu College
Woodville North · Independent combined · R-11
260 students · ICSEA 909
Pennington School R-6
Pennington · Government primary · U, R-6
262 students · ICSEA 934
| Measure | Ngutu College Woodville North SA | Pennington School R-6 Pennington SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 34 Lower 50% | 31 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #111 of 145 | #287 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #988 of 1,259 | #4046 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Combined | Primary |
| Year range | R-11 | U, R-6 |
| Students | 260 | 262 |
| Girls / boys | 129 / 131 | 124 / 138 |
| Foundation intake | 26 | 49 |
| Year 7 cohort | 21 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | – | -15% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 909 | 934 |
| ICSEA percentile | 13th | 19th |
| Top SEA quarter | 16% | 6% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 45% | 49% |
| Students per teacher | 9.4 | 10.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 27.7 | 24.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 40.4 | 17.2 |
| Language background other than English | 31% | 69% |
| Indigenous students | 51% | 23% |
| Suburb | Woodville North 5012 | Pennington 5013 |
| Council area | Charles Sturt | Charles Sturt |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.ngutucollege.org.au | penningtonr6.sa.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Ngutu College scores higher on the Success Index (33.8 vs 31.1).
- •Pennington School R-6 has the higher ICSEA (934 vs 909), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Ngutu College has fewer students per teacher (9.4 vs 10.6).
- •Pennington School R-6 is the larger school with 262 students compared with 260.
- •Ngutu College is a independent school while Pennington School R-6 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.
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 Ngutu College better than Pennington School R-6?
On the Success Index, Ngutu College ranks higher (33.8 vs 31.1 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 Ngutu College and Pennington School R-6?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between Woodville North and Pennington in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Ngutu College has 9.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Pennington School R-6 has 10.6.
How do Ngutu College and Pennington School R-6 rank in SA?
Ngutu College is 111th of 145 and Pennington School R-6 is 287th of 348 among combined schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.