Rathmore Grammar School, BELFAST
Rathmore Grammar School is a grammar school for pupils in Belfast.
Data last updated 18 Oct 2026
Rathmore Grammar School in detail
School in Northern Ireland
Rathmore Grammar School is a voluntary school in Northern Ireland, where schools are inspected by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) rather than Ofsted.
1258 pupils are enrolled, 10% are entitled to free school meals, 87% are Catholic and 1% Protestant and 2% are newcomer pupils.
54 pupils (4% 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 Rathmore Grammar School are Hunterhouse College (0.5 miles), St Colm's High School (1 mile), Malone Integrated College (1.2 miles) and St Genevieve's High School (1.6 miles).
Hunterhouse CollegeSt Colm's High SchoolMalone Integrated CollegeSt Genevieve's High School
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Rathmore Grammar School.
1 bus stop is within a five-minute walk; the closest is Rathmore Grammer School, 400 metres away.
Primary schools nearby
The primary schools closest to Rathmore Grammar School are St Anne's Primary School (0.3 miles), Dunmurry Primary School (0.5 miles), Finaghy Primary School (0.8 miles) and Seymour Hill Primary School (0.9 miles). As a grammar school, Rathmore Grammar School admits pupils mainly on the results of a transfer test, by the criteria in its own admissions policy.
St Anne's Primary SchoolDunmurry Primary SchoolFinaghy Primary SchoolSeymour Hill 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 Rathmore Grammar School in December 2018.
Source: Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI), Northern Ireland.
About
Rathmore Grammar School, normally referred to simply as "Rathmore", is a Catholic grammar school in Finaghy, Belfast, Northern Ireland. The current and second lay principal of the school is Arthur Donnelly, who succeeded Thérèse Hamilton as principal at the beginning of the academic year 2021/22.
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 (183 pupils)
98.9%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C, including English and maths
98.9%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C
A-levels, Year 14 (155 pupils)
94.2%
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 Rathmore Grammar School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute and house prices
Special educational needs
54
Pupils on the SEN register (stages 1 to 3)
4.3%
of pupils enrolled
29
With a statement (stage 3)
25
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
Rathmore Grammar School
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Questions parents ask about Rathmore Grammar School
When was Rathmore Grammar School last inspected?
The Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) last published an inspection report on Rathmore Grammar School in December 2018.
What are exam results like at Rathmore Grammar School?
In 2024/25, of the 183 Year 12 pupils at Rathmore Grammar School, 98.9% achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C including English and maths, and 98.9% achieved five or more at A* to C in any subjects (equivalent qualifications count). Of the 155 pupils finishing an A-level or equivalent course in Year 14, 94.2% 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 Rathmore Grammar School?
Northern Ireland does not use catchment areas. Places at Rathmore Grammar 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 Rathmore Grammar School?
Apply through the Education Authority's online admissions system, naming Rathmore Grammar School. Applications usually open in January, and post-primary places may depend on an entrance assessment taken in the previous autumn.
Where is Rathmore Grammar School?
Rathmore Grammar School is at KINGSWAY, FINAGHY, BELFAST, ANTRIM, BT10 0LF.