Channel Christian School vs The Cottage School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Tasmania, 19 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Channel Christian School
Margate · Independent primary · Prep-6
150 students · ICSEA 1092
The Cottage School
Bellerive · Independent primary · Prep-6
77 students · ICSEA 1113
| Measure | Channel Christian School Margate TAS | The Cottage School Bellerive TAS |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 75 Top 10% | 76 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #8 of 132 | – |
| National rank (type) | #501 of 4,908 | – |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 150 | 77 |
| Girls / boys | 71 / 79 | 37 / 40 |
| Foundation intake | 21 | 12 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +55% | +15% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1092 | 1113 |
| ICSEA percentile | 82th | 87th |
| Top SEA quarter | 37% | 48% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 5% | 3% |
| Students per teacher | 14.2 | 9.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 10.6 | 7.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 8.5 | 6.6 |
| Language background other than English | 19% | 3% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 5% |
| Suburb | Margate 7054 | Bellerive 7018 |
| Council area | Kingborough | Clarence |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.cst.tas.edu.au | www.cottageschool.tas.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (75.4 vs 76.2).
- •The Cottage School has the higher ICSEA (1113 vs 1092), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •The Cottage School has fewer students per teacher (9.9 vs 14.2).
- •Channel Christian School is the larger school with 150 students compared with 77.
- •Channel Christian School has grown faster over five years (55% vs 15%).
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 Channel Christian School better than The Cottage 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 Channel Christian School and The Cottage School?
About 19 km in a straight line, between Margate and Bellerive in Tasmania.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Channel Christian School has 14.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Cottage School has 9.9.
How do Channel Christian School and The Cottage School rank in TAS?
Channel Christian School is 8th of 132 and The Cottage School is unranked among primary schools in Tasmania on the 2025 Success Index.