Half of Tamworth schools at or near capacity

While the state government says the figures do not mean a school is overcrowded, NSW Labor has slammed the lack of forward planning and educational resources.

There are 14 schools with a 100 per cent utilisation rate, such as Westdale and South Gunnedah public schools, while a further five sit in low-to-high 90 per cent mark, including both Oxley Vale Public School and Oxley High School.

Of those 19 schools, only Tamworth Public School has a major upgrade planned, which will increase its student intake by 200.

*See the full list of schools at the bottom of the story

Labor spokesperson for Tamworth Daniel Moohkey said the government’s own figures showed the electorate’s schools were “bursting at the seams”.

“You can’t have a first-rate education in second-rate classrooms,” he said.

“On top of this, the Tamworth schools’ maintenance backlog was estimated at $12.4 million after the government announced a so-called maintenance blitz. What kind of maintenance blitz leaves a backlog that large?

“These repairs aren’t luxury items. It’s for basic things like heaters and fans that are broken, leaking taps, peeling paint and badly worn carpet.”

A Department of Education spokesperson said a 100 per cent utilisation rate did not mean that a school was overcrowded.

“It means that all of the school’s current teaching spaces, permanent and demountable, are being used for teaching and learning,” the spokesperson said.

“Enrolment numbers in schools are dynamic, changing all the time. The data provided is a snapshot at a certain point of time.”

The spokesperson said the department monitored population trends, and in the case of sustained enrolment increases, it provided more permanent facilities.

New England district P&C president Rachael Sowden said given the growth rate of the region, it was an issue to “keep an eye on”.

“Historically, it's not something they’ve been great at managing,” she said.

Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson was approached for comment, but failed to respond before deadline.

Timbumburi Public School – 100%

Carroll Public School – 100%

Duri Public School – 100%

Mullaley Public School – 100%

Nemingha Public School – 100%

Niangala Public School – 100%

Nundle Public School – 100%

Somerton Public School –  100%

Tamworth Public School – 100%

Tintinhull Public School – 100%

Westdale Public School – 100%

Woolomin Public School – 100%

Yarrowitch Public School – 100%

Gunnedah South Public School – 100%

Peel High School – 97.56%

Tamworth South Public School – 96.67%

Tamworth West Public School – 94.74%

Oxley Vale Public School – 93.33%

Oxley High School Tamworth – 92.59%

Kootingal Public School – 88.89%

Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School – 77.50%

Werris Creek Public School – 71.43%

Moonbi Public School – 66.67%

Tamworth High School – 66.10%

Manilla Central School – 61.29%

Curlewis Public School – 60.00%

Hillvue Public School – 58.33%

Gunnedah High School – 58.00%

Walcha Central School – 53.33%

Attunga Public School – 50.00%

Bendemeer Public School – 50.00%

Currabubula Public School – 50.00%

Dungowan Public School – 50.00%

Nowendoc Public School – 50.00%

Tambar Springs Public School – 50.00%

Woolbrook Public School – 50.00%

Gunnedah Public School – 43.75%

Barraba Central School – 40.00%