Dalriada School, BALLYMONEY
Dalriada School is a grammar school for pupils in Ballymoney.
Data last updated 18 Oct 2026
Dalriada School in detail
School in Northern Ireland
Dalriada School is a voluntary school in Northern Ireland, where schools are inspected by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) rather than Ofsted.
900 pupils are enrolled, 7% are entitled to free school meals and 8% are Catholic and 62% Protestant.
44 pupils (5% of those enrolled) are on the special educational needs register at stages 1 to 3 of the Code of Practice, 29 of them with a statement.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state secondary schools to Dalriada School are Our Lady of Lourdes High School (0.4 miles) and Ballymoney High School (0.8 miles).
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Dalriada School.
9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Dalriada School, 110 metres away.
Primary schools nearby
The primary schools closest to Dalriada School are Ballymoney Controlled Integrated Primary School (under 0.1 miles), St Brigid's Primary School (0.5 miles), Leaney Primary School (0.9 miles) and Landhead Primary School (1.8 miles). As a grammar school, Dalriada School admits pupils mainly on the results of a transfer test, by the criteria in its own admissions policy.
Ballymoney Controlled Integrated Primary SchoolSt Brigid's Primary SchoolLeaney Primary SchoolLandhead 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 Dalriada School in February 2020.
Source: Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI), Northern Ireland.
About
Dalriada School is a mixed grammar school in Ballymoney in the north of County Antrim in Northern Ireland, named after the Kingdom of Dál Riata. In 2008 the school won The Sunday Times Northern Ireland State Secondary School of the Year award.
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 (122 pupils)
98.4%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C, including English and maths
99.2%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C
A-levels, Year 14 (118 pupils)
80.5%
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 Dalriada School
Prize Day 2026
18 Sep 2026
RSC Schools’ Analyst Competition
26 Aug 2026
Top of the Bench' Competition
25 Aug 2026
A Level Results 2026
17 Aug 2026
Year 8 Rugby Camp
14 Aug 2026
Anastasia, The Musical
21 May 2026
From Dalriada School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with Dalriada School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute and house prices
Special educational needs
44
Pupils on the SEN register (stages 1 to 3)
4.9%
of pupils enrolled
29
With a statement (stage 3)
15
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 Dalriada School
When was Dalriada School last inspected?
The Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) last published an inspection report on Dalriada School in February 2020.
What are exam results like at Dalriada School?
In 2024/25, of the 122 Year 12 pupils at Dalriada School, 98.4% achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C including English and maths, and 99.2% achieved five or more at A* to C in any subjects (equivalent qualifications count). Of the 118 pupils finishing an A-level or equivalent course in Year 14, 80.5% 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 Dalriada School?
Northern Ireland does not use catchment areas. Places at Dalriada 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 Dalriada School?
Apply through the Education Authority's online admissions system, naming Dalriada School. Applications usually open in January, and post-primary places may depend on an entrance assessment taken in the previous autumn.
Where is Dalriada School?
Dalriada School is at ST JAMES ROAD, BALLYMONEY, ANTRIM, BT53 6BL.