Blackburn English Language School vs Burwood East Special Developmental School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in Victoria, 1.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Blackburn English Language School
Burwood East · Government special · Prep-10
344 students · ICSEA 1022
Burwood East Special Developmental School
Burwood East · Government special · U
79 students · ICSEA 1073
| Measure | Blackburn English Language School Burwood East VIC | Burwood East Special Developmental School Burwood East VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | Prep-10 | U |
| Students | 344 | 79 |
| Girls / boys | 166 / 178 | 18 / 61 |
| 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 | +37% | -9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1022 | 1073 |
| ICSEA percentile | 57th | 76th |
| Top SEA quarter | 25% | 29% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 29% | 15% |
| Students per teacher | 6.0 | 3.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 56.9 | 18.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 16.7 | 19.1 |
| Language background other than English | 100% | 52% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 0% |
| Suburb | Burwood East 3151 | Burwood East 3151 |
| Council area | Whitehorse | Whitehorse |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.blackburnels.vic.edu.au/ | www.besds.vic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Burwood East Special Developmental School has the higher ICSEA (1073 vs 1022), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Burwood East Special Developmental School has fewer students per teacher (3.8 vs 6.0).
- •Blackburn English Language School is the larger school with 344 students compared with 79.
- •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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Carnegie
Frequently asked questions
Is Blackburn English Language School better than Burwood East Special Developmental 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 Blackburn English Language School and Burwood East Special Developmental School?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Burwood East and Burwood East in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Blackburn English Language School has 6.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Burwood East Special Developmental School has 3.8.
How do Blackburn English Language School and Burwood East Special Developmental School rank in VIC?
Blackburn English Language School is unranked and Burwood East Special Developmental School is unranked among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.