Children across Northern Ireland are currently enjoying their Easter holidays, but the summer term is right around the corner.
It begins on Monday, April 28 for most pupils this year. This is the last term of the 2024/25 school year, and for this year’s primary school leavers, their final weeks of primary school, before they move on to secondary school in September. There are also only have a few weeks to go until offers day, when parents will find out which secondary schools have offered their child a place for the new school year. Offers are scheduled to arrive by letter or email on Saturday, May 10.
The transition from primary to secondary school can naturally be a big change for young people. Many parents will be also anxious for them to get placed in a school that not only pushes them to reach their full potential, but also supports and guides them during this time of change.
Late last year, the Sunday Times released its annual ‘Parent Power Guide’ - a league table comparing the GCSE and A Level results of state secondary schools across the UK in the 2023/24 school year, including Northern Ireland. The guide ranks schools on two different performance measures; the amount of A*, A and B grades earned out of the total number of A Levels sat by students, which is double-weighted, and the amount of A* and A grade equivalents (scores of 7, 8 or 9 in England’s numerical system) out of the total number of GCSE exams sat - which is single-weighted to calculate the final score.
It is worth remembering, however, that how a school’s pupils did in their exams isn’t everything. When considering a prospective school for your child, it can also be worth looking into things like how its performance has trended over time, recent Education and Training Inspectorate reports, and the school’s policies, values, and extracurriculars, to find the best fit for your family.
Here were the 20 schools that topped the chart this year:
17. Ballyclare High School
This is a selective grammar school in Ballyclare, County Antrim. It is mixed gender and non-denominational. This year 74.4% of A Levels sat by its students achieved A* to B grades, while 47.9% of GCSEs sat passed with A* or A equivalents (scores of 7, 8 or 9 in England’s numerical system). | Google
18. The Royal School, Dungannon
This is a broadly Christian grammar school, in Dungannon, County Tyrone, with a strong boarding community. This year 74.3% of A Levels sat by its students achieved A* to B grades, while 48% of GCSEs sat passed with A* or A equivalents (scores of 7, 8 or 9 in England’s numerical system). | Google
19. Enniskillen Royal Grammar School
Previously known as Portora Royal School, this is a selective grammar school in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh. This year 73.8% of A Levels sat by its students achieved A* to B grades, while 45.7% of GCSEs sat passed with A* or A equivalents (scores of 7, 8 or 9 in England’s numerical system). | Google
20. Methodist College Belfast
Rounding out the top 20 is a school known locally as Methody - a selective grammar school in Belfast. Although it was founded by the Methodist church, it is now interdenominational. Last year 67.9% of A Levels sat by its students achieved A* to B grades, while 54.4% of GCSEs sat passed with A* or A equivalents (scores of 7, 8 or 9 in England’s numerical system). | Google