St Malachy's High School, CASTLEWELLAN
St Malachy's High School is a grammar school for pupils in Castlewellan.
Data last updated 18 Oct 2026
St Malachy's High School in detail
School in Northern Ireland
St Malachy's High School is a catholic maintained school in Northern Ireland, where schools are inspected by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) rather than Ofsted.
1051 pupils are enrolled, 25% are entitled to free school meals, 96% are Catholic and 1% Protestant and 3% are newcomer pupils.
147 pupils (14% of those enrolled) are on the special educational needs register at stages 1 to 3 of the Code of Practice, 124 of them with a statement.
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of St Malachy's High School.
4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St. Malachy's High School Castlewellan, 40 metres away.
Primary schools nearby
The primary schools closest to St Malachy's High School are St Malachy's Primary School (0.2 miles), Bunscoil Bheanna Boirche (0.6 miles), St Patrick's Primary School (1.2 miles) and Annsborough Primary School (1.4 miles). As a grammar school, St Malachy's High School admits pupils mainly on the results of a transfer test, by the criteria in its own admissions policy.
St Malachy's Primary SchoolBunscoil Bheanna BoircheSt Patrick's Primary SchoolAnnsborough 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 Malachy's High School in December 2017.
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 (147 pupils)
59.2%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C, including English and maths
91.8%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C
A-levels, Year 14 (86 pupils)
50%
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 St Malachy's High School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute and house prices
Special educational needs
147
Pupils on the SEN register (stages 1 to 3)
14.0%
of pupils enrolled
124
With a statement (stage 3)
23
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 Malachy's High School
Questions parents ask about St Malachy's High School
When was St Malachy's High School last inspected?
The Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) last published an inspection report on St Malachy's High School in December 2017.
What are exam results like at St Malachy's High School?
In 2024/25, of the 147 Year 12 pupils at St Malachy's High School, 59.2% achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C including English and maths, and 91.8% achieved five or more at A* to C in any subjects (equivalent qualifications count). Of the 86 pupils finishing an A-level or equivalent course in Year 14, 50% 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 Malachy's High School?
Northern Ireland does not use catchment areas. Places at St Malachy's High 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 Malachy's High School?
Apply through the Education Authority's online admissions system, naming St Malachy's High School. Applications usually open in January, and post-primary places may depend on an entrance assessment taken in the previous autumn.
Where is St Malachy's High School?
St Malachy's High School is at 3 DUBLIN ROAD, CASTLEWELLAN, DOWN, BT31 9AG.