Friends' School, LISBURN
Friends' School is a grammar school for pupils in Lisburn.
Data last updated 18 Oct 2026
Friends' School in detail
School in Northern Ireland
Friends' School is a voluntary school in Northern Ireland, where schools are inspected by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) rather than Ofsted.
1093 pupils are enrolled, 3% are entitled to free school meals, 20% are Catholic and 51% Protestant and 2% are newcomer pupils.
50 pupils (5% of those enrolled) are on the special educational needs register at stages 1 to 3 of the Code of Practice, 40 of them with a statement.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state secondary schools to Friends' School are Wallace High School (0.2 miles), Fort Hill College (0.6 miles), Laurelhill Community College (0.9 miles) and Lisnagarvey High School (1 mile).
Wallace High SchoolFort Hill CollegeLaurelhill Community CollegeLisnagarvey High School
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Friends' School.
6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Friends School, 70 metres away.
Primary schools nearby
The primary schools closest to Friends' School are Friend's School (under 0.1 miles), Wallace High School (0.2 miles), Brownlee Primary School (0.3 miles) and St Joseph's Primary School (0.5 miles). As a grammar school, Friends' School admits pupils mainly on the results of a transfer test, by the criteria in its own admissions policy.
Friend's SchoolWallace High SchoolBrownlee Primary SchoolSt Joseph'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 Friends' School in January 2020.
Source: Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI), Northern Ireland.
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 (122 pupils)
88.5%
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.
Keep up with Friends' School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute and house prices
Special educational needs
50
Pupils on the SEN register (stages 1 to 3)
4.6%
of pupils enrolled
40
With a statement (stage 3)
10
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
Friends' School
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Questions parents ask about Friends' School
When was Friends' School last inspected?
The Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) last published an inspection report on Friends' School in January 2020.
What are exam results like at Friends' School?
In 2024/25, of the 143 Year 12 pupils at Friends' 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 122 pupils finishing an A-level or equivalent course in Year 14, 88.5% 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 Friends' School?
Northern Ireland does not use catchment areas. Places at Friends' 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 Friends' School?
Apply through the Education Authority's online admissions system, naming Friends' School. Applications usually open in January, and post-primary places may depend on an entrance assessment taken in the previous autumn.
Where is Friends' School?
Friends' School is at 6 MAGHERALAVE ROAD, LISBURN, ANTRIM, BT28 3BH.