Best secondary schools in Derry City and Strabane
14 of 14 secondary schools ranked by 5+ GCSEs A*-C · all Derry City and Strabane 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 14 rated Good or Outstanding
- Median 5+ GCSEs A*-C: 94.5% (best 100.0%)
| # | School | 5+ GCSEs A*-C | Ofsted | Places | Catchment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foyle College LONDONDERRY grammar | 100.0% | — | — | approximate |
| 2 | Lumen Christi College LONDONDERRY grammar | 99.2% | — | — | approximate |
| 3 | St Cecilia's College LONDONDERRY | 99.2% | — | — | approximate |
| 4 | Thornhill College LONDONDERRY grammar | 98.0% | — | — | approximate |
| 5 | Lisneal College LONDONDERRY | 96.8% | — | — | approximate |
| 6 | St Mary's College LONDONDERRY | 95.5% | — | — | approximate |
| 7 | St Brigid's College LONDONDERRY | 94.9% | — | — | approximate |
| 8 | Strabane Academy STRABANE grammar | 94.1% | — | — | approximate |
| 9 | Castlederg High School CASTLEDERG | 86.8% | — | — | approximate |
| 10 | St Patricks & St Brigids College LONDONDERRY | 86.8% | — | — | approximate |
| 11 | St Joseph's Boys' School LONDONDERRY | 86.7% | — | — | approximate |
| 12 | Holy Cross College STRABANE | 82.1% | — | — | approximate |
| 13 | St Columb's College LONDONDERRY grammar | 81.4% | — | — | approximate |
| 14 | Oakgrove Integrated College LONDONDERRY | 57.0% | — | — | approximate |
Applying in Derry City and Strabane
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 14 November 2026 · 2027 entry AQE/GL transfer test — Assessment Paper 1, for children starting Year 8 in September 2027.
- Transfer test (SEAG) — Paper 2 21 November 2026 · 2027 entry AQE/GL transfer test — Assessment Paper 2.
- Transfer test (SEAG) results released 1 May 2027 · 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 Derry City and Strabane admission criteria.
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