Montagu Bay Primary School vs The Cottage School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Tasmania, 1.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Montagu Bay Primary School
Montagu Bay · Government primary · K-6
318 students · ICSEA 1081
The Cottage School
Bellerive · Independent primary · Prep-6
77 students · ICSEA 1113
| Measure | Montagu Bay Primary School Montagu Bay TAS | The Cottage School Bellerive TAS |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 70 Top 25% | 76 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #15 of 132 | – |
| National rank (type) | #989 of 4,908 | – |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 318 | 77 |
| Girls / boys | 157 / 161 | 37 / 40 |
| Foundation intake | 46 | 12 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -10% | +15% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1081 | 1113 |
| ICSEA percentile | 79th | 87th |
| Top SEA quarter | 38% | 48% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 12% | 3% |
| Students per teacher | 14.2 | 9.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 21.3 | 7.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 7.6 | 6.6 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 3% |
| Indigenous students | 5% | 5% |
| Suburb | Montagu Bay 7018 | Bellerive 7018 |
| Council area | Clarence | Clarence |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | montagubayprimary.education.tas.edu.au/ | www.cottageschool.tas.edu.au |
The verdict
- •The Cottage School scores higher on the Success Index (76.2 vs 70.3).
- •The Cottage School has the higher ICSEA (1113 vs 1081), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •The Cottage School has fewer students per teacher (9.9 vs 14.2).
- •Montagu Bay Primary School is the larger school with 318 students compared with 77.
- •The Cottage School has grown faster over five years (15% vs -10%).
- •Montagu Bay Primary School is a government school while The Cottage School is an independent 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 Montagu Bay Primary School better than The Cottage School?
On the Success Index, The Cottage School ranks higher (76.2 vs 70.3 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 Montagu Bay Primary School and The Cottage School?
About 1.7 km in a straight line, between Montagu Bay and Bellerive in Tasmania.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Montagu Bay Primary School has 14.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Cottage School has 9.9.
How do Montagu Bay Primary School and The Cottage School rank in TAS?
Montagu Bay Primary School is 15th of 132 and The Cottage School is unranked among primary schools in Tasmania on the 2025 Success Index.