Best secondary schools in Ards and North Down
12 of 12 secondary schools ranked by 5+ GCSEs A*-C · all Ards and North Down 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 12 rated Good or Outstanding
- Median 5+ GCSEs A*-C: 90.1% (best 100.0%)
| # | School | 5+ GCSEs A*-C | Ofsted | Places | Catchment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Columba's College NEWTOWNARDS | 100.0% | — | — | approximate |
| 2 | Regent House School NEWTOWNARDS grammar | 99.1% | — | — | approximate |
| 3 | Sullivan Upper School HOLYWOOD grammar | 98.7% | — | — | approximate |
| 4 | Bangor Grammar School BANGOR grammar | 95.6% | — | — | approximate |
| 5 | Glenlola Collegiate BANGOR grammar | 94.0% | — | — | approximate |
| 6 | Nendrum College NEWTOWNARDS | 91.5% | — | — | approximate |
| 7 | Priory Integrated College HOLYWOOD | 88.7% | — | — | approximate |
| 8 | St Columbanus' College BANGOR | 80.5% | — | — | approximate |
| 9 | Strangford Integrated College CARROWDORE | 80.5% | — | — | approximate |
| 10 | Glastry College NEWTOWNARDS | 78.7% | — | — | approximate |
| 11 | Bangor Academy and 6th Form College BANGOR | 73.0% | — | — | approximate |
| 12 | Movilla High School NEWTOWNARDS | 70.7% | — | — | approximate |
Applying in Ards and North Down
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 Ards and North Down admission criteria.
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