Best secondary schools in Antrim and Newtownabbey
10 of 10 secondary schools ranked by 5+ GCSEs A*-C · all Antrim and Newtownabbey schools · primary schools
Ranked on 5+ GCSEs A*-C, 2024/25 — the most recent year each school has published. Official data, not our opinion — but the ranking is only as good as the measure, and a single number never describes a school.
- 0 of 10 rated Good or Outstanding
- Median 5+ GCSEs A*-C: 94.1% (best 100.0%)
| # | School | 5+ GCSEs A*-C | Ofsted | Places | Catchment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Antrim Grammar School ANTRIM grammar | 100.0% | — | — | approximate |
| 2 | Belfast High School NEWTOWNABBEY grammar | 99.3% | — | — | approximate |
| 3 | Ballyclare High School BALLYCLARE grammar | 98.4% | — | — | approximate |
| 4 | Edmund Rice College NEWTOWNABBEY | 98.2% | — | — | approximate |
| 5 | St Benedict's College RANDALSTOWN | 97.8% | — | — | approximate |
| 6 | Integrated College Glengormley NEWTOWNABBEY | 90.4% | — | — | approximate |
| 7 | Abbey Community College NEWTOWNABBEY | 89.8% | — | — | approximate |
| 8 | Crumlin Integrated College CRUMLIN | 89.2% | — | — | approximate |
| 9 | Parkhall Integrated College ANTRIM | 83.1% | — | — | approximate |
| 10 | Ballyclare Secondary School BALLYCLARE | 67.9% | — | — | approximate |
Applying in Antrim and Newtownabbey
Knowing which school is best is only half of it — these are the deadlines that decide whether you can apply at all.
- Transfer test (SEAG) — Paper 1 2026-11-14 · 2027 entry AQE/GL transfer test — Assessment Paper 1, for children starting Year 8 in September 2027.
- Transfer test (SEAG) — Paper 2 2026-11-21 · 2027 entry AQE/GL transfer test — Assessment Paper 2.
- Transfer test (SEAG) results released 2027-05-01 · 2027 entry Approximate — parents informed by the Education Authority which post-primary school their child has been allocated to (May 2027, exact date not yet published).
Rankings compare published results. They do not tell you which school your child will get into — that depends on where you live, sibling and faith priority, and how many people apply this year. Ask below, or check the Antrim and Newtownabbey admission criteria.
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