Margaret Hendry School is a government primary in Taylor that combines strong instrumental music teaching with genuine pastoral care.
NAPLAN 15 points below national year-level averages and solid student growth; the result is a C overall.
Margaret Hendry School is a government primary in Taylor that combines strong instrumental music teaching with genuine pastoral care. The school suits families who value music in their child's education and those needing EAL or disability support. Known for its inquiry-led approach and Children's Parliament, the school fosters active learning and student voice. Community here is tight-knit, making it a natural fit for families seeking a progressive, caring primary where children are known well.
Margaret Hendry School draws students from the Margaret Hendry School.
Margaret Hendry School has an overall SchoolRank score of 49.8/100, rated "Average". This score is calculated from academic results, student growth, wellbeing, extracurricular programs, and value for money. Academically, the school scores 45/100, indicating developing performance relative to other Australian schools. The school's ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage) is 1054, well above the national average of 1,000. Notably, the school shows strong student growth over time (66/100), meaning students tend to improve well regardless of their starting point.
In 2025 NAPLAN testing at Margaret Hendry School, Year 3 students averaged 393 across the tested NAPLAN domains, below the national average of 407 for that year level, and Year 5 students averaged 473, below the national average of 490 for that year level. National averages are specific to each year level, because NAPLAN scores are scaled so older year levels score higher, a school-wide average can't be compared with a single national figure.
Margaret Hendry School is a medium-sized government primary school with approximately 626 students. It offers education for years K-6. As a government school, enrolment is generally available to students living within the school's designated catchment zone. Families outside the zone may apply for out-of-area placement subject to availability.
Margaret Hendry School is a government school, so there are no tuition fees. Families may be asked to contribute to voluntary school fees covering materials, excursions, and activities. The school has a value score of 47/100 on SchoolRank, which compares educational outcomes relative to cost, government schools typically score well on this measure.
Margaret Hendry School has a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.7:1. This is below the national average of approximately 14:1, meaning students generally receive more individual attention. Support staff make up 33% of the workforce, providing additional learning assistance and pastoral care. The student attendance rate is 88%, which is moderate.
Margaret Hendry School is located in Taylor, ACT, classified as a major cities school. With an ICSEA of 1054 (70th percentile), the school community's socio-educational advantage is around the national average. ICSEA measures the educational advantage of a school's community, not the school's quality, a lower ICSEA school with strong academic scores may indicate particularly effective teaching.