Principal ‘thrilled’ as grammar named top NI school: ‘We don’t look at a pupil’s religion’
The Belmont Road school ranked first of all grammar schools in NI, and 31st in the table of the top 150 state secondary schools across the UK.
“This is testament to the outstanding hard work, talent and determination of our pupils; the support and encouragement of their families at home; and the inspirational dedication of our superb team of teaching and non-teaching staff,” said Nicola Connery, as the school rose to the top spot after being listed equal second with Aquinas Diocesan Grammar in last year’s rankings.
Pupils at Strathearn School, Belfast.
This is the 33rd edition of the prestigious guide, with Strathearn picking up the honour of being named State Secondary School of the Year in Northern Ireland for Academic Excellence.
The rankings are based on 2025 examination results, when pupils at Strathearn School recorded 83% grades A*-B at A-level. The same year, 79% of all GCSE grades achieved by Strathearn pupils were A* or A — the highest year on record for the school.
“Having consistently ranked in the top cohort of grammar schools in this prestigious report, we are thrilled to rank in first place this year, particularly given the exceptionally high quality of grammar schools listed across Northern Ireland,” Mrs Connery added.
Whilst the rankings focus on examination results, Mrs Connery said that Strathearn’s success “transcends all aspects of school life”.
Strathearn School has been named top in Northern Ireland in the 2026 Sunday Times Parent Power Guide.
“Our ethos as a school centres on providing a caring and nurturing environment in which every pupil is celebrated for their own individual talents and is encouraged to realise their full potential across a wide range of both curricular and extra-curricular areas,” she explained.
“We’re an all-girls school that prides itself in offering a range of opportunities in terms of academic and extracurricular, but underpinning everything is ensuring that their wellbeing is paramount.
“We make no difference. We’re open to everybody. We purposely don’t look at a pupil’s religion, because once you put on that uniform you become a Strathearn girl.”
Paying tribute to the staff at the school, Rosemary Bailie, chair of the Board of Governors at Strathearn, said: “Led by Mrs Connery, the staff of Strathearn School work exceptionally hard throughout the school year to encourage and empower our pupils to excel in all that they do, and this reflects in these latest rankings.”
South Belfast’s Rathmore Grammar School was named State Secondary School of the Year in Northern Ireland, having been listed as second in the Northern Ireland roll of honour and 35th overall across the UK.
Nicola Connery, principal at Strathearn School, Belfast
In all, five grammar schools from NI have made the top 50 across the UK.
St Dominic’s Grammar School for Girls in Belfast placed third in the listings (36th overall), with last year’s top school in Northern Ireland, Friends’ School Lisburn, named fourth (equal 46th overall). Making up the top five is Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock (48th overall).
Also inside the top 70 schools in the UK are Lumen Christi College in Derry (53rd), Sullivan Upper in Holywood (equal 61st), Banbridge Academy (64th), St Louis Grammar in Ballymena (65th) and Aquinas Diocesan Grammar Belfast (69th).
“The educational landscape is testing — budget challenges, rising student mental health issues, special educational needs, and an increasingly uncertain future,” said Helen Davies, editor of The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide.
“But there is also so much to celebrate from the dedication of teachers who are finding ever more innovative and impactful ways to enrich their students and give them the very best start in life.
“As well as celebrating the academic excellence of the top schools, it is uplifting to see how they are shaping their students to be ready for the 21st century and instilling a lifelong love of learning.”
Nicola Connery, principal at Strathearn School, Belfast
The accolade of State Secondary School of the Year went to Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet, with the school also ranked top as State Secondary School of the Year for academic achievement.
“Schools are ranked by performance at A-level and GCSE in summer 2025,” Ms Davies explained.
“The number of A*, A and B grades gained are expressed as a percentage of the total number of A-level entries overall. This is double-weighted. The number of nine, eight, seven grades gained at GCSE is expressed as a percentage of the total number of GCSE entries overall. We include IGCSEs sat in independent schools. This is single-weighted.
Pupils at Strathearn School, Belfast.
News Catch Up – Thursday 4 December
“School rankings are based on their combined performance in these examinations.”
Widely acknowledged as the most authoritative survey of the country’s top schools, the Sunday Times Parent Power Guide is published online today and will be available as a 28-page supplement on Sunday, December 7.
“Recognised as the definitive ranking of the UK’s top primary and secondary state and independent schools, the guide remains an essential resource for parents seeking the very best in education for their children,” Ms Davies added.
