Ballymena Academy, BALLYMENA
Ballymena Academy is a grammar school for pupils in Ballymena.
Data last updated 18 Oct 2026
Ballymena Academy in detail
School in Northern Ireland
Ballymena Academy is a voluntary school in Northern Ireland, where schools are inspected by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) rather than Ofsted.
1228 pupils are enrolled, 5% are entitled to free school meals, 5% are Catholic and 74% Protestant and 1% are newcomer pupils.
68 pupils (6% of those enrolled) are on the special educational needs register at stages 1 to 3 of the Code of Practice, 15 of them with a statement.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state secondary schools to Ballymena Academy are St Louis Grammar School (0.5 miles), Cambridge House Grammar School (0.5 miles), Dunclug College (1.2 miles) and St Patrick's College (1.3 miles).
St Louis Grammar SchoolCambridge House Grammar SchoolDunclug CollegeSt Patrick's College
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Ballymena Academy.
Primary schools nearby
The primary schools closest to Ballymena Academy are St Colmcille's Primary School (0.4 miles), Carniny Primary School (0.6 miles), Ballymena Primary School (0.6 miles) and Harryville Primary School (0.9 miles). As a grammar school, Ballymena Academy admits pupils mainly on the results of a transfer test, by the criteria in its own admissions policy.
St Colmcille's Primary SchoolCarniny Primary SchoolBallymena Primary SchoolHarryville Primary School
Sources: Department of Education (NI) school data; NaPTAN (Department for Transport)
Key Information
Department of Education (NI)Inspection
The Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) last published an inspection report on Ballymena Academy in May 2018.
Source: Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI), Northern Ireland.
About
Ballymena Academy is a mixed gender, voluntary grammar school in the market town of Ballymena in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1828 as a small provincial school for children in the town and surrounding agricultural hinterland.
From Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Special Measures
Exam results, 2024/25
GCSEs, Year 12 (170 pupils)
94.7%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C, including English and maths
96.5%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C
A-levels, Year 14 (149 pupils)
86.6%
3+ A-levels at A* to C
100%
2+ A-levels at A* to E
Equivalent qualifications count towards these figures.
The Department of Education says these figures are not a fair way to compare one school with another: they take no account of the pupils each school takes in, or of anything else that affects results. Read them alongside everything else you know about the school.
Keep up with Ballymena Academy
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute and house prices
Special educational needs
68
Pupils on the SEN register (stages 1 to 3)
5.5%
of pupils enrolled
15
With a statement (stage 3)
53
At stages 1 to 2
From the Department of Education (NI) school census. The department does not publish very small counts, which show here as "Not published".
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Questions parents ask about Ballymena Academy
When was Ballymena Academy last inspected?
The Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) last published an inspection report on Ballymena Academy in May 2018.
What are exam results like at Ballymena Academy?
In 2024/25, of the 170 Year 12 pupils at Ballymena Academy, 94.7% achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C including English and maths, and 96.5% achieved five or more at A* to C in any subjects (equivalent qualifications count). Of the 149 pupils finishing an A-level or equivalent course in Year 14, 86.6% achieved three or more A-levels at grades A* to C, and 100% achieved two or more at A* to E. The Department of Education says these figures are not a fair way to compare one school with another: they take no account of the pupils each school takes in, or of anything else that affects results. Read them alongside everything else you know about the school.
How are places allocated at Ballymena Academy?
Northern Ireland does not use catchment areas. Places at Ballymena Academy are allocated on the school's published admissions criteria through the Education Authority's transfer process, and post-primary schools may use an entrance assessment.
How do I apply to Ballymena Academy?
Apply through the Education Authority's online admissions system, naming Ballymena Academy. Applications usually open in January, and post-primary places may depend on an entrance assessment taken in the previous autumn.
Where is Ballymena Academy?
Ballymena Academy is at 89 GALGORM ROAD, BALLYMENA, ANTRIM, BT42 1AJ.