Grammar schools in Orkney Islands
There are no grammar schools in Orkney Islands.
Grammar schools are state secondaries that select by ability, usually through an 11+ test. Only 46 of the 226 local authorities in the UK still have any — Orkney Islands is one of the majority that does not, so local state secondaries admit without a selective test.
The nearest is Dominican College, about 301.4 miles away in Causeway Coast and Glens. Most grammar schools accept out-of-area applicants, though distance is often a tie-breaker when a school is oversubscribed.
Nearest grammar schools to Orkney Islands
Straight-line distance from the centre of Orkney Islands — not a travel time.
| School | Area | Distance | Intake | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dominican College | PORTSTEWART | 301.4 miles | — | — |
| Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith | Penrith | 303.0 miles | Mixed | Good |
| Loreto College | COLERAINE | 303.5 miles | — | — |
| Coleraine Grammar | COLERAINE | 303.6 miles | — | — |
| Dalriada School | BALLYMONEY | 305.0 miles | — | — |
| Larne Grammar School | LARNE | 308.7 miles | — | — |
Published admissions priorities
These are extracts from school-specific arrangements for the entry years shown, in priority order. They are not the full policy or a prediction of an offer. Check the linked arrangement for test eligibility, deadlines and all remaining priorities.
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith — 2026 entry
- Looked After/Previously Looked After Children (incl. state care outside England) (published source)
- Current Family Association: sibling attending the school at time of admission (published source)
- Up to 10 places (2 per form group, PAN 160): Pupil Premium/Service Premium students (published source)
Schools in Orkney Islands
Orkney Islands has 23 open schools. Browse all Orkney Islands schools with Ofsted ratings, catchment areas and admission criteria, or see them on the map.
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