Holy Cross College, STRABANE
Holy Cross College is a grammar school for pupils in Strabane.
Data last updated 18 Oct 2026
Holy Cross College in detail
School in Northern Ireland
Holy Cross College is a catholic maintained school in Northern Ireland, where schools are inspected by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) rather than Ofsted.
1517 pupils are enrolled, 33% are entitled to free school meals, 99% are Catholic and 0% Protestant and 0% are newcomer pupils.
307 pupils (20% of those enrolled) are on the special educational needs register at stages 1 to 3 of the Code of Practice, 111 of them with a statement.
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Holy Cross College.
7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Holy Cross College, 150 metres away.
Primary schools nearby
The primary schools closest to Holy Cross College are St Mary's Primary School (0.2 miles), Gaelscoil U?? Dhochartaigh (0.7 miles), St Catherine???s Primary School (0.9 miles) and Strabane Controlled Primary School (1.5 miles). As a grammar school, Holy Cross College admits pupils mainly on the results of a transfer test, by the criteria in its own admissions policy.
St Mary's Primary SchoolGaelscoil U?? DhochartaighSt Catherine???s Primary SchoolStrabane Controlled 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 Holy Cross College in April 2018.
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 (246 pupils)
59.8%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C, including English and maths
82.1%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C
A-levels, Year 14 (126 pupils)
50.8%
3+ A-levels at A* to C
96.8%
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 Holy Cross College
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute and house prices
Special educational needs
307
Pupils on the SEN register (stages 1 to 3)
20.2%
of pupils enrolled
111
With a statement (stage 3)
196
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 Holy Cross College
When was Holy Cross College last inspected?
The Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) last published an inspection report on Holy Cross College in April 2018.
What are exam results like at Holy Cross College?
In 2024/25, of the 246 Year 12 pupils at Holy Cross College, 59.8% achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C including English and maths, and 82.1% achieved five or more at A* to C in any subjects (equivalent qualifications count). Of the 126 pupils finishing an A-level or equivalent course in Year 14, 50.8% achieved three or more A-levels at grades A* to C, and 96.8% 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 Holy Cross College?
Northern Ireland does not use catchment areas. Places at Holy Cross 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 Holy Cross College?
Apply through the Education Authority's online admissions system, naming Holy Cross College. Applications usually open in January, and post-primary places may depend on an entrance assessment taken in the previous autumn.
Where is Holy Cross College?
Holy Cross College is at 35 Melmount Road, STRABANE, TYRONE, BT82 9EF.