Slemish College, BALLYMENA
Slemish College is a grammar school for pupils in Ballymena.
Data last updated 18 Oct 2026
Slemish College in detail
School in Northern Ireland
Slemish College is a gmi school in Northern Ireland, where schools are inspected by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) rather than Ofsted.
1076 pupils are enrolled, 20% are entitled to free school meals, 35% are Catholic and 36% Protestant and 2% are newcomer pupils.
181 pupils (17% of those enrolled) are on the special educational needs register at stages 1 to 3 of the Code of Practice, 86 of them with a statement.
Slemish College in its own words
In its own words: "The College opened in response to parental demand for an integrated college in the Ballymena area, at a time of significant sectarian tension in the Harryville area. At the time of opening, community relations in the school's immediate area were at an all time low, reflected by the Harryville Chapel dispute."
Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, hockey, tennis, athletics, badminton, cross-country, drama and choir.
Vision and values (school website)Clubs (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state secondary schools to Slemish College are Cambridge House Grammar School (1.1 miles), St Louis Grammar School (1.2 miles), Ballymena Academy (1.3 miles) and St Patrick's College (1.4 miles).
Cambridge House Grammar SchoolSt Louis Grammar SchoolBallymena AcademySt Patrick's College
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Slemish College.
10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Slemish College, 70 metres away.
Primary schools nearby
The primary schools closest to Slemish College are Harryville Primary School (0.4 miles), Ballykeel Primary School (0.5 miles), Camphill Primary School (0.6 miles) and Ballymena Primary School (1.3 miles). As a grammar school, Slemish College admits pupils mainly on the results of a transfer test, by the criteria in its own admissions policy.
Harryville Primary SchoolBallykeel Primary SchoolCamphill Primary SchoolBallymena 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 Slemish College in March 2019.
Source: Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI), Northern Ireland.
About
Slemish College is a co-educational integrated secondary school in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.
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 (141 pupils)
75.2%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C, including English and maths
97.9%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C
A-levels, Year 14 (82 pupils)
74.4%
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 Slemish College
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute and house prices
Special educational needs
181
Pupils on the SEN register (stages 1 to 3)
16.8%
of pupils enrolled
86
With a statement (stage 3)
95
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 Slemish College
When was Slemish College last inspected?
The Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) last published an inspection report on Slemish College in March 2019.
What are exam results like at Slemish College?
In 2024/25, of the 141 Year 12 pupils at Slemish College, 75.2% achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C including English and maths, and 97.9% achieved five or more at A* to C in any subjects (equivalent qualifications count). Of the 82 pupils finishing an A-level or equivalent course in Year 14, 74.4% 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 Slemish College?
Northern Ireland does not use catchment areas. Places at Slemish 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 Slemish College?
Apply through the Education Authority's online admissions system, naming Slemish College. Applications usually open in January, and post-primary places may depend on an entrance assessment taken in the previous autumn.
Where is Slemish College?
Slemish College is at 147A LARNE ROAD, BALLYMENA, ANTRIM, BT42 3HA.