The guide is recognised as the definitive ranking of the UK’s top schools
Stock image of Strathearn School in East Belfast(Image: Strathearn School/Facebook)
The top schools in Northern Ireland have been named in the annual The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026.
Strathearn School in East Belfast has been crowned State Secondary School of the Year in Northern Ireland for Academic Excellence, and 31st on the UK ranking. Rathmore Grammar School in South Belfast has been named as Secondary School of the Year in Northern Ireland.
The state Secondary School of the Year is based on schools that have improved most over the last year in the table, according to background from the Sunday Times.
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The top ten schools in Northern Ireland have been named on the list and given a regional rank in the guide published online on Friday, December 5.
A statement from the Sunday Times said: “Recognised as the definitive ranking of the UK’s top primary and secondary state and independent schools, this guide remains an essential resource for parents seeking the very best in education for their children.
“The guide includes a fully searchable national database of more than 2,000 schools by name, local authority, town and postcode. As well as an assessment of academic results on a school-by-school basis, Parent Power enables parents to compare the performance of a given school with other schools in the same area, local authority or nationally.”
Helen Davies, editor of The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide, added: “The educational landscape is testing – budget challenges, rising student mental health issues, special educational needs and an increasingly uncertain future.
“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.”
The top 10 secondary schools in Northern Ireland
Regional rank
National
rank
School Name
Location
1
31
Strathearn School
*State Secondary School of the Year in Northern Ireland for Academic Excellence
Belfast
2
35
Rathmore Grammar School
*State Secondary School of the Year in Northern Ireland
Belfast
3
36
St Dominic’s Grammar School for Girls
Belfast
4
46=
Friends’ School Lisburn
Lisburn
5
48
Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock
Belfast
6
53
Lumen Christi College
Derry
7
61=
Sullivan Upper School
Holywood
8
64
Banbridge Academy
Banbridge
9
65
St Louis Grammar School
Ballymena
10
69
Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School
Belfast
You can read the full guide from The Sunday Times by clicking here.
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