Public school enrolments growing

Public school enrolments are growing - student numbers in government schools have increased by more than 3600 over the past year, with the biggest gains in suburbs containing private colleges.

New data crunched by the Department of Education and Training shows 769 public primary schools and 233 public high schools (Year 10 to Year 12) boosted enrolments between 2009 and this year.

Government schools in northern Sydney, up against heavily advertised private schools, have recorded the greatest increase in students -- more than 3350 over the past three years.

Sydney region enrolments this year are up by 1750 on 2008 and the western Sydney region by more than 2200.

Education experts said well publicised success in the HSC was partly responsible for the increase in public school students.

Some government schools have increased their enrolments by more than 60 per cent over the past five years including Bondi Public and Maroubra Bay Public in Sydney's east, Darcy Road Public and Kellyville Ridge Public in the city's west, Leichhardt Public in the inner west and Wyong Creek Public in the Hunter/Central Coast region.

Secondary schools with increased enrolments include Rose Bay Secondary College in Sydney's east, Dulwich High and Ashfield Boys High in the inner west, Turramurra High and Killarney Heights High in northern Sydney.