Bendigo Special Developmental School vs Big Hill Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 3.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bendigo Special Developmental School
Kangaroo Flat · Government special · U
167 students · ICSEA 940
Big Hill Primary School
Big Hill · Government primary · Prep-6
221 students · ICSEA 980
| Measure | Bendigo Special Developmental School Kangaroo Flat VIC | Big Hill Primary School Big Hill VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 38 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #1113 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | – | #3569 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | U | Prep-6 |
| Students | 167 | 221 |
| Girls / boys | 46 / 121 | 91 / 130 |
| Foundation intake | – | 27 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +26% | -23% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 940 | 980 |
| ICSEA percentile | 21th | 38th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 11% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 50% | 38% |
| Students per teacher | 4.1 | 15.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 40.1 | 13.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 66.4 | 5.8 |
| Language background other than English | 15% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 16% | 10% |
| Suburb | Kangaroo Flat 3555 | Big Hill 3555 |
| Council area | Greater Bendigo | Greater Bendigo |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.bendigosds.vic.edu.au/ | www.bighillps.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Big Hill Primary School has the higher ICSEA (980 vs 940), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Bendigo Special Developmental School has fewer students per teacher (4.1 vs 15.9).
- •Big Hill Primary School is the larger school with 221 students compared with 167.
- •Bendigo Special Developmental School has grown faster over five years (26% vs -23%).
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 Bendigo Special Developmental School better than Big Hill Primary 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 Bendigo Special Developmental School and Big Hill Primary School?
About 3.8 km in a straight line, between Kangaroo Flat and Big Hill in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bendigo Special Developmental School has 4.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Big Hill Primary School has 15.9.
How do Bendigo Special Developmental School and Big Hill Primary School rank in VIC?
Bendigo Special Developmental School is unranked and Big Hill Primary School is 1113th of 1,290 among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.