Best secondary schools in Newry, Mourne and Down
23 of 23 secondary schools ranked by 5+ GCSEs A*-C · all Newry, Mourne and Down 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 23 rated Good or Outstanding
- Median 5+ GCSEs A*-C: 91.0% (best 100.0%)
| # | School | 5+ GCSEs A*-C | Ofsted | Places | Catchment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Down High School DOWNPATRICK grammar | 100.0% | — | — | approximate |
| 2 | Our Lady's Grammar School NEWRY grammar | 100.0% | — | — | approximate |
| 3 | Sacred Heart Grammar School NEWRY grammar | 100.0% | — | — | approximate |
| 4 | Assumption Grammar School BALLYNAHINCH grammar | 99.3% | — | — | approximate |
| 5 | St Joseph's High School NEWRY | 99.1% | — | — | approximate |
| 6 | St Mary's High School NEWRY | 97.6% | — | — | approximate |
| 7 | Abbey Christian Brothers Grammar School NEWRY grammar | 96.8% | — | — | approximate |
| 8 | St Paul's High School NEWRY | 93.3% | — | — | approximate |
| 9 | St Malachy's High School CASTLEWELLAN | 91.8% | — | — | approximate |
| 10 | St Colman's College NEWRY grammar | 91.3% | — | — | approximate |
| 11 | Newtownhamilton High School NEWRY | 91.2% | — | — | approximate |
| 12 | St Mark's High School NEWRY | 91.0% | — | — | approximate |
| 13 | The High School Ballynahinch BALLYNAHINCH | 90.5% | — | — | approximate |
| 14 | St Colman's High School & Sixth Form College BALLYNAHINCH | 90.2% | — | — | approximate |
| 15 | St Joseph's Boys' High School NEWRY | 89.0% | — | — | approximate |
| 16 | St Louis Grammar School KILKEEL grammar | 87.3% | — | — | approximate |
| 17 | Lecale Trinity Grammar School DOWNPATRICK grammar | 85.4% | — | — | approximate |
| 18 | Kilkeel High School NEWRY | 78.5% | — | — | approximate |
| 19 | St Colmcille's High School CROSSGAR | 77.3% | — | — | approximate |
| 20 | Blackwater Integrated College DOWNPATRICK | 76.7% | — | — | approximate |
| 21 | Shimna Integrated College NEWCASTLE | 74.0% | — | — | approximate |
| 22 | Saintfield High School SAINTFIELD | 68.1% | — | — | approximate |
| 23 | Newry High School NEWRY | 63.8% | — | — | approximate |
Applying in Newry, Mourne and 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 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 Newry, Mourne and Down admission criteria.
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