Ascot Vale Heights School vs Blackburn English Language School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in Victoria, 21 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Ascot Vale Heights School
Ascot Vale · Government special · U
103 students · ICSEA 1021
Blackburn English Language School
Burwood East · Government special · Prep-10
344 students · ICSEA 1022
| Measure | Ascot Vale Heights School Ascot Vale VIC | Blackburn English Language School Burwood East VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | U | Prep-10 |
| Students | 103 | 344 |
| Girls / boys | 43 / 60 | 166 / 178 |
| Foundation intake | – | 31 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 32 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -9% | +37% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1021 | 1022 |
| ICSEA percentile | 56th | 57th |
| Top SEA quarter | 21% | 25% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 32% | 29% |
| Students per teacher | 4.1 | 6.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 24.3 | 56.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 22.6 | 16.7 |
| Language background other than English | 49% | 100% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 0% |
| Suburb | Ascot Vale 3032 | Burwood East 3151 |
| Council area | Moonee Valley | Whitehorse |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.ascotvalehs.vic.edu.au/ | www.blackburnels.vic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Blackburn English Language School has the higher ICSEA (1022 vs 1021), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Ascot Vale Heights School has fewer students per teacher (4.1 vs 6.0).
- •Blackburn English Language School is the larger school with 344 students compared with 103.
- •Blackburn English Language School has grown faster over five years (37% vs -9%).
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 Ascot Vale Heights School better than Blackburn English Language 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 Ascot Vale Heights School and Blackburn English Language School?
About 21 km in a straight line, between Ascot Vale and Burwood East in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Ascot Vale Heights School has 4.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Blackburn English Language School has 6.0.
How do Ascot Vale Heights School and Blackburn English Language School rank in VIC?
Ascot Vale Heights School is unranked and Blackburn English Language School is unranked among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.