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St Joseph's College, BELFAST

Secondary
Roman Catholic Maintained Secondary (non-grammar) school
Mixed

St Joseph's College is a grammar school for pupils in Belfast.

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Data last updated 18 Oct 2026

St Joseph's College in detail

School in Northern Ireland

St Joseph's College is a catholic maintained school in Northern Ireland, where schools are inspected by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) rather than Ofsted.

898 pupils are enrolled, 42% are entitled to free school meals, 70% are Catholic and 6% Protestant and 12% are newcomer pupils.

121 pupils (14% of those enrolled) are on the special educational needs register at stages 1 to 3 of the Code of Practice, 99 of them with a statement.

Compared with nearby schools

The nearest other state secondary schools to St Joseph's College are Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School (0.2 miles), Wellington College (0.5 miles), Methodist College (1.1 miles) and Lagan College (1.5 miles).

Aquinas Diocesan Grammar SchoolWellington CollegeMethodist CollegeLagan College

Getting there

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of St Joseph's College.

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Aquinas Grammar School, 90 metres away.

Primary schools nearby

The primary schools closest to St Joseph's College are St Michael's Primary School (0.1 miles), Cregagh Primary School (0.4 miles), Rosetta Primary School (0.5 miles) and Holy Rosary Primary School (0.5 miles). As a grammar school, St Joseph's College admits pupils mainly on the results of a transfer test, by the criteria in its own admissions policy.

St Michael's Primary SchoolCregagh Primary SchoolRosetta Primary SchoolHoly Rosary Primary School

Sources: Department of Education (NI) school data; NaPTAN (Department for Transport)

Location

Key Information

Department of Education (NI)
Pupils:898
LA:Belfast
Phone:028 9049 1280
Address:518-572 RAVENHILL ROAD, BELFAST, BT6 0BY
Management:Catholic Maintained
Council:Belfast
Status:open

Inspection

The Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) last published an inspection report on St Joseph's College in May 2017.

Source: Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI), Northern Ireland.

URN:2030275

At a Glance

No

Boarding

No

Nursery

No

Special Measures

Exam results, 2024/25

GCSEs, Year 12 (129 pupils)

63.6%

5+ GCSEs at A* to C, including English and maths

90.7%

5+ GCSEs at A* to C

A-levels, Year 14 (43 pupils)

46.5%

3+ A-levels at A* to C

95.3%

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.

Source: Department of Education (NI), Summary of Annual Examination Results, via OpenDataNI (Open Government Licence).

Keep up with St Joseph's College

Getting There

Bus Stops

Aquinas Grammar School
93m · 2 min walk
187 Ravenhill Road
100m · 2 min walk
Aquinas & St Joseph's Colleges
127m · 2 min walk
St Jude's Cresent
215m · 3 min walk
Cherryvale Park
278m · 5 min walk

Commute and house prices

See commute times and house prices with Pro - £9 a month, or £90 a year, inc. VAT

Special educational needs

121

Pupils on the SEN register (stages 1 to 3)

13.5%

of pupils enrolled

99

With a statement (stage 3)

22

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".

Questions parents ask about St Joseph's College

When was St Joseph's College last inspected?

The Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) last published an inspection report on St Joseph's College in May 2017.

What are exam results like at St Joseph's College?

In 2024/25, of the 129 Year 12 pupils at St Joseph's College, 63.6% achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C including English and maths, and 90.7% achieved five or more at A* to C in any subjects (equivalent qualifications count). Of the 43 pupils finishing an A-level or equivalent course in Year 14, 46.5% achieved three or more A-levels at grades A* to C, and 95.3% 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 Joseph's College?

Northern Ireland does not use catchment areas. Places at St Joseph'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 Joseph's College?

Apply through the Education Authority's online admissions system, naming St Joseph'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 Joseph's College?

St Joseph's College is at 518-572 RAVENHILL ROAD, BELFAST, ANTRIM, BT6 0BY.

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