Bendigo Special Developmental School vs Nelson Park School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in Victoria, 147 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
Nelson Park School
Bell Park · Government special · U
334 students · ICSEA 938
| Measure | Bendigo Special Developmental School Kangaroo Flat VIC | Nelson Park School Bell Park VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | U | U |
| Students | 167 | 334 |
| Girls / boys | 46 / 121 | 98 / 236 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +26% | +1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 940 | 938 |
| ICSEA percentile | 21th | 20th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 6% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 50% | 58% |
| Students per teacher | 4.1 | 5.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 40.1 | 57.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 66.4 | 68.6 |
| Language background other than English | 15% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 16% | 11% |
| Suburb | Kangaroo Flat 3555 | Bell Park 3215 |
| Council area | Greater Bendigo | Greater Geelong |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Major Cities |
| Website | www.bendigosds.vic.edu.au/ | www.nelsonpark.vic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Bendigo Special Developmental School has the higher ICSEA (940 vs 938), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Bendigo Special Developmental School has fewer students per teacher (4.1 vs 5.8).
- •Nelson Park School is the larger school with 334 students compared with 167.
- •Bendigo Special Developmental School has grown faster over five years (26% vs 1%).
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 Nelson Park 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 Nelson Park School?
About 147 km in a straight line, between Kangaroo Flat and Bell Park in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bendigo Special Developmental School has 4.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Nelson Park School has 5.8.
How do Bendigo Special Developmental School and Nelson Park School rank in VIC?
Bendigo Special Developmental School is unranked and Nelson Park School is unranked among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.