St Columbanus' College, BANGOR
St Columbanus' College is a grammar school for pupils in Bangor.
Data last updated 18 Oct 2026
St Columbanus' College in detail
School in Northern Ireland
St Columbanus' College is a catholic maintained school in Northern Ireland, where schools are inspected by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) rather than Ofsted.
805 pupils are enrolled, 27% are entitled to free school meals, 39% are Catholic and 23% Protestant and 5% are newcomer pupils.
266 pupils (33% of those enrolled) are on the special educational needs register at stages 1 to 3 of the Code of Practice, 69 of them with a statement.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state secondary schools to St Columbanus' College are Glenlola Collegiate (1.3 miles), Bangor Academy and 6th Form College (1.3 miles), Bangor Grammar School (1.4 miles) and Movilla High School (5 miles).
Glenlola CollegiateBangor Academy and 6th Form CollegeBangor Grammar SchoolMovilla High School
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of St Columbanus' College.
16 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Churchill In, 70 metres away.
Primary schools nearby
The primary schools closest to St Columbanus' College are Ballyholme Primary School (0.2 miles), Towerview Primary School (0.5 miles), Kilmaine Primary School (0.6 miles) and Ballymagee Primary School (1.1 miles). As a grammar school, St Columbanus' College admits pupils mainly on the results of a transfer test, by the criteria in its own admissions policy.
Ballyholme Primary SchoolTowerview Primary SchoolKilmaine Primary SchoolBallymagee 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 Columbanus' College in April 2020.
Source: Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI), Northern Ireland.
About
St. Columbanus' College is a Roman Catholic secondary school situated on the Ballymaconnell Road, Bangor, County Down, 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 (118 pupils)
60.2%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C, including English and maths
80.5%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C
A-levels, Year 14 (58 pupils)
43.1%
3+ A-levels at A* to C
96.6%
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 St Columbanus' College
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute and house prices
Special educational needs
266
Pupils on the SEN register (stages 1 to 3)
33.0%
of pupils enrolled
69
With a statement (stage 3)
197
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 St Columbanus' College
When was St Columbanus' College last inspected?
The Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) last published an inspection report on St Columbanus' College in April 2020.
What are exam results like at St Columbanus' College?
In 2024/25, of the 118 Year 12 pupils at St Columbanus' College, 60.2% achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C including English and maths, and 80.5% achieved five or more at A* to C in any subjects (equivalent qualifications count). Of the 58 pupils finishing an A-level or equivalent course in Year 14, 43.1% achieved three or more A-levels at grades A* to C, and 96.6% 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 Columbanus' College?
Northern Ireland does not use catchment areas. Places at St Columbanus' 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 Columbanus' College?
Apply through the Education Authority's online admissions system, naming St Columbanus' College. Applications usually open in January, and post-primary places may depend on an entrance assessment taken in the previous autumn.
Where is St Columbanus' College?
St Columbanus' College is at BALLYMACONNELL ROAD, BANGOR, DOWN, BT20 5PU.