Best In Class Campaign: Data reveals which Geelong region classrooms are the least crowded

The Geelong region’s most and least crowded classrooms have been revealed. SEE HOW YOUR SCHOOL RANKED

Whittington Primary School ranked in the top five schools with the least crowded classrooms in the Geelong region. Teachers Shannon Griffin and Darcy Wilson read with students Abilesh Punniyamoorthy, Evie-Jayde Connelly, Mumbi Njogu and Logan Shrestha. Picture: Brad Fleet

A school principal has declared small class sizes key to learning success as Geelong’s most and least crowded classrooms have been revealed.

An analysis of Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) 2023 national data shows the ratios of students to full-time equivalent teachers.

Schools with the least number of students per teacher were Bell Park North Primary School, St Thomas Aquinas School, Geelong Grammar School, Woodline Primary and Whittington Primary School.

Whittington Primary School teachers Shannon Griffin and Darcy Wilson with students Abilesh Punniyamoorthy, Evie-Jayde Connelly, Mumbi Njogu and Logan Shrestha. Picture: Brad Fleet

Whittington Primary School had a ratio of 9.1, compared with a national average of 12.6.

The average at primary school level is 13.6 and at secondary is 11.8.

Whittington Primary School principal Shannon Cormack said smaller class sizes led to more success for students as they received directed, individualised learning.

“Small class sizes allow students to have targeted access to learning and it means teachers can give individual support on a needs basis for students to have success in the classroom,” she said.

“We run very small prep classrooms so we can give students the best start at school.

“It is the approach we have taken knowing it gives our students the best start to their education, particularly in the early years it is the key to setting them up for success throughout their education.

“I also allocate funds to ensure there is an integration aid in every classroom so not only do we have small class sizes but we also have a high level of support from teaching and education support staff.”

In 2023 there were more students per teacher at Portarlington Primary School than any other school in the region, with 16.4 students for every teacher.

It is understood the ratio has since decreased to about 13 students per teacher.

The second highest student-teacher ratio was at Lara Lake Primary School with an average of 16.3 students for every teacher.

A Department of Education spokesperson said Victoria had the best student to teacher ratio of all states.

“Victoria’s student-to-teacher ratio has improved significantly from 13.5 in 2015 to 12.2 in 2023, reflecting the increased investment in the state’s teaching workforce,” the spokesperson said.

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 have the highest national ratio for secondary schools with 12 students for every teacher, followed by 11.9 for government schools and 11.5 for independent schools.

Bell Park North Primary School had the smallest ratio of students to teachers at 6.5, however the school said the number was not accurate due to having two campuses.

Student to teacher ratios do not take into account teacher aides or non-teaching staff.

Originally published as Best In Class Campaign: Data reveals which Geelong region classrooms are the least crowded