Western Sydney’s fastest growing schools revealed
One school in Blacktown City is ranked among the top 10 fastest-growing schools in western Sydney, according to data from the federal government.
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The western Sydney schools that are booming have been revealed.
An analysis of Federal Government data has revealed the western Sydney region schools where student numbers have risen the most in the past five years.
Between 2013 and 2018 enrolment at Oran Park Anglican College has increased by 675.7 per cent, faster than any other school in the region.
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority figures are the most up to date enrolment numbers that include all state and private schools nationally.
According to the latest public data that includes public and private schools, student numbers have grown from 70 to 543, the fastest growth in the region.
The second fastest growing school was Irfan College, where the student body increased by 490.5 between 2013 and 2018.
Enrolment numbers grew from 42 in 2013 to 248 in 2018.
Over those five years Pal Buddhist School had the third biggest enrolment boom in the area 65 more students at the school in 2018 than in 2013 — a 325.0 per cent increase.
Warakirri College’s has experienced significant growth since it opened its doors in Blacktown in January 2017. Principal Carolyn Blanden said enrolments had surged from seven students to more than 120 in less than three years.
The independent school offers an alternative for students who may have dropped out of the mainstream schooling system due to mental health, behavioural or personal challenges.
Ms Blanden said demand for alternative schools like Warakirri continued to rise.
“The need in this market segment is so high, at Blacktown, we’ve put on more staff and we’re advertising for more staff again,” Ms Blanden said.
“We have room for extra classrooms, but ultimately we will have to open an additional college in western Sydney.”
She said the key appeal of the school was its provision of a mainstream curriculum in an alternative learning environment.
“What makes the school special is it is really flexible in the way the curriculum is delivered and the way we cater for the challenges the kids have,” she said.
“There are a couple of other schools like this in the area. Either they are much smaller, so there are fewer places or they don’t offer a HSC like we do.
“When students come for an interview they’re delighted to have a place like this where the teachers are understanding of things which are challenging, especially anxiety and depression constraints.”
SCHOOLS WITH FASTEST GROWTH BETWEEN 2013 AND 2018
Oran Park Anglican College (Oran Park): 675.7 per cent change
Irfan College (Cecil Park): 490.5 per cent change
Pal Buddhist School (Canley Vale): 325.0 per cent change
Western Grammar School (Plumpton): 283.8 per cent change
St Benedict’s Catholic College (Oran Park): 270.5 per cent change
Warakirri College (Fairfield): 261.5 per cent change
Wilton Public School (Wilton): 230.9 per cent change
Al Hikma College (Lakemba): 182.9 per cent change
Alpha Omega Senior College (Auburn): 176.1 per cent change
Bellfield College (Rossmore): 157.1 per cent change