St Colman's College, NEWRY
St Colman's College is a grammar school for pupils in Newry.
Data last updated 18 Oct 2026
St Colman's College in detail
School in Northern Ireland
St Colman's College is a voluntary school in Northern Ireland, where schools are inspected by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) rather than Ofsted.
905 pupils are enrolled, 9% are entitled to free school meals and 96% are Catholic and 1% Protestant.
71 pupils (8% of those enrolled) are on the special educational needs register at stages 1 to 3 of the Code of Practice, 20 of them with a statement.
St Colman's College in its own words
In its own words: "With over 200 years of academic tradition, our core ethos is lived out each day through our mission, vision and values, guiding us to support and nurture our pupils to reach their academic and extra-curricular potential, and to build an effective partnership between parents, pupils, staff and the wider College community."
From the headteacher's welcome: "I am very pleased to introduce St. Colman’s College to you. Known throughout Ireland and beyond as Violet Hill College, it is a school which dates back 200 years to 1823 when it was established as the Dromore Diocesan Seminary."
Vision and values (school website)Headteacher's welcome (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state secondary schools to St Colman's College are Newry High School (0.4 miles), St Joseph's Boys' High School (0.4 miles), Abbey Christian Brothers Grammar School (0.6 miles) and Sacred Heart Grammar School (0.6 miles).
Newry High SchoolSt Joseph's Boys' High SchoolAbbey Christian Brothers Grammar SchoolSacred Heart Grammar School
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of St Colman's College.
2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Newry St Colemans College, 110 metres away.
Primary schools nearby
The primary schools closest to St Colman's College are St Patrick's Primary School (0.4 miles), St Ronan's Primary School (0.6 miles), Windsor Hill Primary School (0.8 miles) and St Joseph's Convent Primary School (0.8 miles). As a grammar school, St Colman's College admits pupils mainly on the results of a transfer test, by the criteria in its own admissions policy.
St Patrick's Primary SchoolSt Ronan's Primary SchoolWindsor Hill Primary SchoolSt Joseph's Convent 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 St Colman's College in March 2019.
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 (138 pupils)
89.1%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C, including English and maths
91.3%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C
A-levels, Year 14 (108 pupils)
85.2%
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.
Latest from St Colman's College
Recognition grows for St. Colman’s College’s leadership in artificial intelligence
22 Sep 2026
New Dining Hall Menus!
22 Sep 2026
J1 Pupils begin their journeys at Violet Hill
8 Sep 2026
St Colman’s College triumphs at All Ireland Cross Country
13 Mar 2026
Open Day - Saturday 17th January 2025
16 Dec 2025
St Colman’s College, Newry Prospectus Video
16 Dec 2025
From St Colman's College's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with St Colman's College
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute and house prices
Special educational needs
71
Pupils on the SEN register (stages 1 to 3)
7.8%
of pupils enrolled
20
With a statement (stage 3)
51
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
St Colman's College
Questions parents ask about St Colman's College
When was St Colman's College last inspected?
The Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) last published an inspection report on St Colman's College in March 2019.
What are exam results like at St Colman's College?
In 2024/25, of the 138 Year 12 pupils at St Colman's College, 89.1% achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C including English and maths, and 91.3% achieved five or more at A* to C in any subjects (equivalent qualifications count). Of the 108 pupils finishing an A-level or equivalent course in Year 14, 85.2% 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 St Colman's College?
Northern Ireland does not use catchment areas. Places at St Colman's 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 St Colman's College?
Apply through the Education Authority's online admissions system, naming St Colman's College. Applications usually open in January, and post-primary places may depend on an entrance assessment taken in the previous autumn.
Where is St Colman's College?
St Colman's College is at 46 ARMAGH ROAD, VIOLET HILL, NEWRY, DOWN, BT35 6PP.