Heatherwood School vs Whitehorse Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Heatherwood School
Donvale · Government special · U
214 students · ICSEA 991
Whitehorse Primary School
Blackburn North · Government primary · Prep-6
302 students · ICSEA 1123
| Measure | Heatherwood School Donvale VIC | Whitehorse Primary School Blackburn North VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 73 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | – | #330 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | – | #744 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | U | Prep-6 |
| Students | 214 | 302 |
| Girls / boys | 84 / 130 | 141 / 161 |
| Foundation intake | – | 27 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -17% | -27% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 991 | 1123 |
| ICSEA percentile | 43th | 90th |
| Top SEA quarter | 11% | 49% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 40% | 6% |
| Students per teacher | 4.6 | 13.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 46.6 | 22.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 35.2 | 6.0 |
| Language background other than English | 17% | 36% |
| Indigenous students | 4% | 2% |
| Suburb | Donvale 3111 | Blackburn North 3130 |
| Council area | Manningham | Whitehorse |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.heatherwood.vic.edu.au | www.whitehorseps.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Whitehorse Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1123 vs 991), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Heatherwood School has fewer students per teacher (4.6 vs 13.5).
- •Whitehorse Primary School is the larger school with 302 students compared with 214.
- •Heatherwood School has grown faster over five years (-17% vs -27%).
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 Heatherwood School better than Whitehorse 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 Heatherwood School and Whitehorse Primary School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Donvale and Blackburn North in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Heatherwood School has 4.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Whitehorse Primary School has 13.5.
How do Heatherwood School and Whitehorse Primary School rank in VIC?
Heatherwood School is unranked and Whitehorse Primary School is 330th of 1,290 among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.