Belfast High School, NEWTOWNABBEY
Belfast High School is a grammar school for pupils in Newtownabbey.
Data last updated 18 Oct 2026
Belfast High School in detail
School in Northern Ireland
Belfast High School is a voluntary school in Northern Ireland, where schools are inspected by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) rather than Ofsted.
972 pupils are enrolled, 6% are entitled to free school meals and 13% are Catholic and 53% Protestant.
64 pupils (7% of those enrolled) are on the special educational needs register at stages 1 to 3 of the Code of Practice, 33 of them with a statement.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state secondary schools to Belfast High School are Abbey Community College (1.7 miles); Hazelwood College (3.4 miles); Glengormley High School (3.5 miles); and Integrated College, Glengormley (3.5 miles).
Abbey Community CollegeHazelwood CollegeGlengormley High SchoolIntegrated College, Glengormley
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Belfast High School.
5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Belfast High School, 110 metres away.
Primary schools nearby
The primary schools closest to Belfast High School are Silverstream Primary School (0.5 miles), Whiteabbey Primary School (0.9 miles), Greenisland Primary School (1 mile) and Hollybank Primary School (1.3 miles). As a grammar school, Belfast High School admits pupils mainly on the results of a transfer test, by the criteria in its own admissions policy.
Silverstream Primary SchoolWhiteabbey Primary SchoolGreenisland Primary SchoolHollybank 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 Belfast High School in May 2018.
Source: Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI), Northern Ireland.
About
Belfast High School (BHS) is a co-educational voluntary grammar school in Jordanstown, Newtownabbey, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It was established in 1854 and is within the North Eastern Region of the Education Authority.
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 (143 pupils)
99.3%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C, including English and maths
99.3%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C
A-levels, Year 14 (104 pupils)
85.6%
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.
Latest from Belfast High School
Class of the 'mid 70s' Reunion
3 Oct 2026
School Dressage League
2 Oct 2026
Girls’ Rugby
1 Oct 2026
House System
1 Oct 2026
Christian Union
30 Sep 2026
SistersIN
29 Sep 2026
From Belfast High School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with Belfast High School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute and house prices
Special educational needs
64
Pupils on the SEN register (stages 1 to 3)
6.6%
of pupils enrolled
33
With a statement (stage 3)
31
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 Belfast High School
When was Belfast High School last inspected?
The Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) last published an inspection report on Belfast High School in May 2018.
What are exam results like at Belfast High School?
In 2024/25, of the 143 Year 12 pupils at Belfast High School, 99.3% achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C including English and maths, and 99.3% achieved five or more at A* to C in any subjects (equivalent qualifications count). Of the 104 pupils finishing an A-level or equivalent course in Year 14, 85.6% 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 Belfast High School?
Northern Ireland does not use catchment areas. Places at Belfast High School 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 Belfast High School?
Apply through the Education Authority's online admissions system, naming Belfast High School. Applications usually open in January, and post-primary places may depend on an entrance assessment taken in the previous autumn.
Where is Belfast High School?
Belfast High School is at 740 SHORE ROAD, NEWTOWNABBEY, ANTRIM, BT37 0PX.