Bendigo Special Developmental School vs Specimen 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
Specimen Hill Primary School
Golden Square · Government primary · Prep-6
234 students · ICSEA 934
| Measure | Bendigo Special Developmental School Kangaroo Flat VIC | Specimen Hill Primary School Golden Square VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 29 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #1239 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | – | #4220 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | U | Prep-6 |
| Students | 167 | 234 |
| Girls / boys | 46 / 121 | 101 / 133 |
| Foundation intake | – | 20 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +26% | -24% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 940 | 934 |
| ICSEA percentile | 21th | 19th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 7% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 50% | 56% |
| Students per teacher | 4.1 | 11.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 40.1 | 19.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 66.4 | 8.2 |
| Language background other than English | 15% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 16% | 13% |
| Suburb | Kangaroo Flat 3555 | Golden Square 3555 |
| Council area | Greater Bendigo | Greater Bendigo |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.bendigosds.vic.edu.au/ | www.shps1316.vic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Bendigo Special Developmental School has the higher ICSEA (940 vs 934), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Bendigo Special Developmental School has fewer students per teacher (4.1 vs 11.8).
- •Specimen Hill Primary School is the larger school with 234 students compared with 167.
- •Bendigo Special Developmental School has grown faster over five years (26% vs -24%).
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 Specimen 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 Specimen Hill Primary School?
About 3.8 km in a straight line, between Kangaroo Flat and Golden Square in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bendigo Special Developmental School has 4.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Specimen Hill Primary School has 11.8.
How do Bendigo Special Developmental School and Specimen Hill Primary School rank in VIC?
Bendigo Special Developmental School is unranked and Specimen Hill Primary School is 1239th of 1,290 among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.