Edmund Rice College, NEWTOWNABBEY
Edmund Rice College is a grammar school for pupils in Newtownabbey.
Data last updated 18 Oct 2026
Edmund Rice College in detail
School in Northern Ireland
Edmund Rice College is a catholic maintained school in Northern Ireland, where schools are inspected by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) rather than Ofsted.
817 pupils are enrolled, 28% are entitled to free school meals, 93% are Catholic and 1% Protestant and 3% are newcomer pupils.
241 pupils (30% of those enrolled) are on the special educational needs register at stages 1 to 3 of the Code of Practice, 89 of them with a statement.
Edmund Rice College in its own words
From the headteacher's welcome: "In Edmund Rice College we provide a pupil centered, broad and balanced curriculum reflecting the needs of all pupils with the aim of maximising their life chances. We strive, as a school community, to ensure that each student has the opportunity to achieve their full potential."
Headteacher's welcome (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state secondary schools to Edmund Rice College are Glengormley High School (0.9 miles); Integrated College, Glengormley (0.9 miles); Hazelwood College (2.1 miles); and Belfast Boys' Model School (2.4 miles).
Glengormley High SchoolIntegrated College, GlengormleyHazelwood CollegeBelfast Boys' Model School
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Edmund Rice College.
5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Hightown Road (Edmund Rice College), 50 metres away.
Primary schools nearby
The primary schools closest to Edmund Rice College are Gaelscoil Eanna (0.3 miles), Glengormley Integrated Primary School (0.6 miles), Mossgrove Primary School (0.6 miles) and St Bernard's Primary School (0.7 miles). As a grammar school, Edmund Rice College admits pupils mainly on the results of a transfer test, by the criteria in its own admissions policy.
Gaelscoil EannaGlengormley Integrated Primary SchoolMossgrove Primary SchoolSt Bernard'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 Edmund Rice College in March 2018.
Source: Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI), Northern Ireland.
About
Edmund Rice College is a Roman Catholic school located in Glengormley, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is named after Edmund Ignatius Rice, founder of the Congregation of Christian Brothers.
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 (112 pupils)
61.6%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C, including English and maths
98.2%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C
A-levels, Year 14 (62 pupils)
38.7%
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 Edmund Rice College
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute and house prices
Special educational needs
241
Pupils on the SEN register (stages 1 to 3)
29.5%
of pupils enrolled
89
With a statement (stage 3)
152
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
Edmund Rice College
Showing 10 of 12 linked schools
Questions parents ask about Edmund Rice College
When was Edmund Rice College last inspected?
The Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) last published an inspection report on Edmund Rice College in March 2018.
What are exam results like at Edmund Rice College?
In 2024/25, of the 112 Year 12 pupils at Edmund Rice College, 61.6% achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C including English and maths, and 98.2% achieved five or more at A* to C in any subjects (equivalent qualifications count). Of the 62 pupils finishing an A-level or equivalent course in Year 14, 38.7% 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 Edmund Rice College?
Northern Ireland does not use catchment areas. Places at Edmund Rice College 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 Edmund Rice College?
Apply through the Education Authority's online admissions system, naming Edmund Rice College. Applications usually open in January, and post-primary places may depend on an entrance assessment taken in the previous autumn.
Where is Edmund Rice College?
Edmund Rice College is at 96-100 HIGHTOWN ROAD, NEWTOWNABBEY, ANTRIM, BT36 7AU.