New data reveals the most crowded schools across the Hunter region

The most crowded schools across the Hunter region have been revealed with new data on student-teacher ratios. See if your school makes the list.

Teacher-student ratios have revealed the most crowded classrooms.

The schools with Hunter’s most crowded classrooms have been revealed.

An analysis of national data from the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority has revealed the schools where teachers have the most students in their classes.

The figures show in 2023 in the Hunter Region there were more students per teacher at St John the Baptist Primary School than any other school.

According to the 2023 data – the most up to date that includes all state and private schools nationally – St John the Baptist Primary School had 20.4 students for every teacher, the highest in the area.

It had 397 students enrolled and 19 full-time equivalent teachers.

The second highest student-teacher ratios were at St Therese’s Primary School where there was an average of 20 students for every teacher at the school. It had 571 students enrolled and 28 full-time equivalent teachers.

At St Joseph’s Primary School there were 19.9 students for every teacher, the Hunter Region’s third highest.

It had 389 students enrolled and 19 full-time equivalent teachers.

According to ACARA the national average student teacher ratio in 2023 was 12.6 students for every teacher, a drop from the 13.3 ratio in 2021.

New Lambton Public School has 19.9 students per teacher.

At a primary school level it is sitting at 13.6 and in secondary it’s 11.8.

Catholic schools have the highest national ratio for primary schools with a 14.1 ratio, followed by 13.5 for Government schools and 12 for independent schools.

Catholic schools also have the highest national ratio for secondary schools with 12 students for every teacher, followed by 11.9 for state schools and 11.5 for Independent schools.

Meanwhile, the Hunter Region’s least crowded classroom was at Mount George Public School where there was an average of 6.3 students for every teacher at the school.

It had 22 students enrolled and 3 full-time equivalent teachers.

Student-teacher ratios do not take into account teacher aides or non-teaching staff at schools, only the full-time equivalent teachers.

Schools with the highest student to teacher ratio in Hunter:

■ St John the Baptist Primary School: 20.4 students per teacher

■ St Therese’s Primary School: 20 students per teacher

■ St Joseph’s Primary School: 19.9 students per teacher

■ St Aloysius Catholic Primary School: 19.9 students per teacher

■ New Lambton Public School: 19.9 students per teacher

■ Belair Public School: 19.7 students per teacher

■ St Joseph’s Primary School: 19.6 students per teacher

■ Hinton Public School: 19.6 students per teacher

■ St Paul’s Primary School: 19.1 students per teacher

■ Dora Creek Public School: 19.1 students per teacher