Down High School, DOWNPATRICK
Down High School is a grammar school for pupils in Downpatrick.
Data last updated 18 Oct 2026
Down High School in detail
School in Northern Ireland
Down High School is a controlled school in Northern Ireland, where schools are inspected by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) rather than Ofsted.
961 pupils are enrolled, 5% are entitled to free school meals and 26% are Catholic and 49% Protestant.
72 pupils (8% of those enrolled) are on the special educational needs register at stages 1 to 3 of the Code of Practice, 21 of them with a statement.
Down High School in its own words
From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Down High School, a thriving co-educational grammar school situated in the historic town of Downpatrick. The school is justly known for high academic standards and outstanding examination results, yet high quality pastoral care sits at the heart of our pursuit of excellence and guides every aspect of school life."
Headteacher's welcome (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state secondary schools to Down High School are Lecale Trinity Grammar School (0.4 miles), St Patrick's Grammar School (0.4 miles), De La Salle High School (0.5 miles) and Blackwater Integrated College (0.6 miles).
Lecale Trinity Grammar SchoolSt Patrick's Grammar SchoolDe La Salle High SchoolBlackwater Integrated College
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Down High School.
9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Down High School, 100 metres away.
Primary schools nearby
The primary schools closest to Down High School are Downpatrick Primary School (0.1 miles), Our Lady and St Patrick Primary School (0.6 miles), St Brigid's Primary School (0.6 miles) and St Colmcille's Primary School (1 mile). As a grammar school, Down High School admits pupils mainly on the results of a transfer test, by the criteria in its own admissions policy.
Downpatrick Primary SchoolOur Lady and St Patrick Primary SchoolSt Brigid's Primary SchoolSt Colmcille's 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 Down High School in May 2019.
Source: Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI), Northern Ireland.
About
Down High School is a controlled co-educational grammar school located in Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland. The school has students from the ages of eleven to eighteen in the senior school; there are 953 students (2024/25).
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 (127 pupils)
100%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C, including English and maths
100%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C
A-levels, Year 14 (128 pupils)
89.8%
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 Down High School
SEAG Familiarisation Afternoon | Thursday 15 October | 2.30pm
1 Oct 2026
First year in new building brings GCSE Success
24 Aug 2026
Down High Pupils receive their AS and A-Level Results
14 Aug 2026
Sixth Form Intake Day | Thursday 20th August | 9.30am
10 Aug 2026
WE ARE HIRING | Teacher of Technology (Part-time, Fixed-term)
10 Aug 2026
Official Opening of Down High School
29 Jun 2026
From Down High School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Keep up with Down High School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute and house prices
Special educational needs
72
Pupils on the SEN register (stages 1 to 3)
7.5%
of pupils enrolled
21
With a statement (stage 3)
51
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 Down High School
When was Down High School last inspected?
The Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) last published an inspection report on Down High School in May 2019.
What are exam results like at Down High School?
In 2024/25, of the 127 Year 12 pupils at Down High School, 100% achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C including English and maths, and 100% achieved five or more at A* to C in any subjects (equivalent qualifications count). Of the 128 pupils finishing an A-level or equivalent course in Year 14, 89.8% 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 Down High School?
Northern Ireland does not use catchment areas. Places at Down 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 Down High School?
Apply through the Education Authority's online admissions system, naming Down High School. Applications usually open in January, and post-primary places may depend on an entrance assessment taken in the previous autumn.
Where is Down High School?
Down High School is at MOUNT CRESCENT, DOWNPATRICK, DOWN, BT30 6EU.