A Co Derry grammar school has been named as the top performing secondary school in Northern Ireland, according to the annual Sunday Times Schools Guide.
The comprehensive guide is released online today and St Mary's Grammar School in Magherafelt is named as the top school in Northern Ireland.
The next three top spots went to three Belfast schools with Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School, Our Lady and St Patrick's College in Knock and Strathearn School taking second, third and fourth place respectively.
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The top performing secondary schools in Northern Ireland are revealed in the 30th edition of Parent Power, The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2023.
It is the definitive guide to secondary schools using the first post-pandemic set of results for state and independent schools since Covid-19 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In fifth place in the top ten list of the top schools in Northern Ireland is Friends' School Lisburn followed by St Dominic's in Belfast, Lumen Christi College in Derry, Holywood's Sullivan Upper School, Rainey Endowed School in Magherafelt and Banbridge Academy.
Paul McClean, the new principal of St Mary's Grammar School in Magherafelt, although “delighted” with the accolade, says that grades are not his number one goal.
“More important than any set of grades or access to university is leaving St Mary’s with a value system that sets pupils up for life,” he said. “It is about respect for others and respect for themselves.
“There are so many challenges and competing priorities in young peoples’ lives that the safety and support of parents and schools working closely together is a necessary element to each pupil reaching their potential.”
More than 1,600 schools can be searched by name, local authority, town and postcode, allowing families to find the best school in their area. The quality of Northern Irish grammar schools shines through yet again in the national rankings, with seven schools in the top 50.
The strength of relationships between parents, pupils and teachers and the wider community is key to the school’s success. No more so than when they gather on the sidelines to cheer on sports teams.
But strong performance based on selection is not without controversy. Last month a research paper by academics from Queen's University Belfast said Northern Ireland’s education system perpetuated divisions in wider society.
Parent Power is widely acknowledged as the most authoritative survey of the country's best schools.
The rankings in the secondary school league tables are determined by the percentage of examination entries gaining A*-B at A-level (which is given double weighting) and the percentage of entries returning A* and A grades, and those graded 9, 8 and 7, at GCSE and iGCSE.
Helen Davies, editor of The Sunday Times Parent Power guide, added: “These have been a challenging few years for teachers, pupils and their parents, and the success of many in our league table is testament to the stamina and support shown by all concerned.
"It is also clear that more attention is being placed on wellbeing and mental health – from meditation rooms to counselling support, even therapy dogs – and schools are being proactive to bring about positive changes.
“League tables are not the only criteria a parent can use when choosing a school, but they are a good starting point. We want to champion schools that are doing wonderful work.
“We want our children to be well-nurtured and well-taught. In choosing a school parents are making one of the biggest decisions in their family life, and Parent Power and The Sunday Times is here to help.”
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