Hester Hornbrook Academy vs Julia Gillard Community College
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in Victoria, 29 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Hester Hornbrook Academy
Melbourne · Independent special · 10-12
701 students · ICSEA 943
Julia Gillard Community College
Werribee · Independent special · 11-12
54 students · ICSEA 941
| Measure | Hester Hornbrook Academy Melbourne VIC | Julia Gillard Community College Werribee VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | 10-12 | 11-12 |
| Students | 701 | 54 |
| Girls / boys | 390 / 311 | 25 / 29 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 5 | 11 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +223% | – |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 943 | 941 |
| ICSEA percentile | 22th | 22th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 3% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 54% | 53% |
| Students per teacher | 14.0 | 7.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 49.9 | 7.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 125.0 | 3.0 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 25% |
| Indigenous students | 7% | 11% |
| Suburb | Melbourne 3000 | Werribee 3030 |
| Council area | Melbourne | Wyndham |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.hhacademy.vic.edu.au | jgillardcc.vic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Hester Hornbrook Academy has the higher ICSEA (943 vs 941), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Julia Gillard Community College has fewer students per teacher (7.1 vs 14.0).
- •Hester Hornbrook Academy is the larger school with 701 students compared with 54.
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 Hester Hornbrook Academy better than Julia Gillard Community College?
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 Hester Hornbrook Academy and Julia Gillard Community College?
About 29 km in a straight line, between Melbourne and Werribee in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Hester Hornbrook Academy has 14.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Julia Gillard Community College has 7.1.
How do Hester Hornbrook Academy and Julia Gillard Community College rank in VIC?
Hester Hornbrook Academy is unranked and Julia Gillard Community College is unranked among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.