St Columban's Primary School, Belfast
St Columban's Primary School is a primary school for pupils in Belfast.
Data last updated 25 Oct 2026
St Columban's Primary School in detail
School in Northern Ireland
St Columban's Primary School is a catholic maintained school in Northern Ireland, where schools are inspected by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) rather than Ofsted.
329 pupils are enrolled, 68% are entitled to free school meals, 90% are Catholic and 0% Protestant and 4% are newcomer pupils.
65 pupils (20% of those enrolled) are on the special educational needs register at stages 1 to 3 of the Code of Practice, 30 of them with a statement.
St Columban's Primary School in its own words
From the headteacher's welcome: "Choosing the right school for your son or daughter is an important responsibility for you and we are very aware that you are placing all your trust in us. As soon as you step through the front door, you will realise that you are in a special centre of excellence."
The school runs after-school care.
Headteacher's welcome (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to St Columban's Primary School are Sacred Heart Primary School (under 0.1 miles), Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagain (0.1 miles), Cliftonville Integrated Primary School (0.3 miles) and Holy Cross Boys' Primary School (0.4 miles).
Sacred Heart Primary SchoolBunscoil Bheann MhadagainCliftonville Integrated Primary SchoolHoly Cross Boys' Primary School
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of St Columban's Primary School.
14 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Ardoyne Avenue, 90 metres away.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to St Columban's Primary School are Belfast Royal Academy (0.4 miles), Belfast Model School For Girls (0.6 miles), St Malachy's College (0.7 miles) and Mercy College Belfast (1.1 miles).
Belfast Royal AcademyBelfast Model School For GirlsSt Malachy's CollegeMercy College Belfast
Sources: Department of Education (NI) school data; NaPTAN (Department for Transport)
Key Information
Department of Education (NI)Inspection
Schools in Northern Ireland are inspected by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI), not Ofsted. Find St Columban's Primary School's reports on the inspectorate's website.
Keep up with St Columban's Primary School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute and house prices
Special educational needs
65
Pupils on the SEN register (stages 1 to 3)
19.8%
of pupils enrolled
30
With a statement (stage 3)
35
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".
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Questions parents ask about St Columban's Primary School
How are places allocated at St Columban's Primary School?
Northern Ireland does not use catchment areas. Places at St Columban's Primary 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 St Columban's Primary School?
Apply through the Education Authority's online admissions system, naming St Columban's Primary School. Applications usually open in January, and post-primary places may depend on an entrance assessment taken in the previous autumn.
Where is St Columban's Primary School?
St Columban's Primary School is at 31-51 Oldpark Avenue, Belfast, BT14 6HH.