St Mary's High School, NEWRY
St Mary's High School is a grammar school for pupils in Newry.
Data last updated 18 Oct 2026
St Mary's High School in detail
School in Northern Ireland
St Mary'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.
578 pupils are enrolled, 39% are entitled to free school meals, 92% are Catholic and 1% Protestant and 10% are newcomer pupils.
130 pupils (23% of those enrolled) are on the special educational needs register at stages 1 to 3 of the Code of Practice, 32 of them with a statement.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state secondary schools to St Mary's High School are Our Lady's Grammar School (1.1 miles), St Joseph's Boys' High School (1.4 miles), Newry High School (1.5 miles) and Sacred Heart Grammar School (1.6 miles).
Our Lady's Grammar SchoolSt Joseph's Boys' High SchoolNewry High SchoolSacred Heart Grammar School
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of St Mary's High School.
8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St Marys High School, 40 metres away.
Primary schools nearby
The primary schools closest to St Mary's High School are Bunscoil an Iuir (0.3 miles), St Clare???s Abbey Primary School (0.6 miles), St Joseph's Convent Primary School (1 mile) and Windsor Hill Primary School (1 mile). As a grammar school, St Mary's High School admits pupils mainly on the results of a transfer test, by the criteria in its own admissions policy.
Bunscoil an IuirSt Clare???s Abbey Primary SchoolSt Joseph's Convent Primary SchoolWindsor Hill 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 Mary's High School 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 (84 pupils)
70.2%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C, including English and maths
97.6%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C
A-levels, Year 14 (36 pupils)
80.6%
3+ A-levels at A* to C
97.2%
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 Mary's High School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute and house prices
Special educational needs
130
Pupils on the SEN register (stages 1 to 3)
22.5%
of pupils enrolled
32
With a statement (stage 3)
98
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 Mary's High School
Questions parents ask about St Mary's High School
When was St Mary's High School last inspected?
The Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) last published an inspection report on St Mary's High School in March 2019.
What are exam results like at St Mary's High School?
In 2024/25, of the 84 Year 12 pupils at St Mary's High School, 70.2% achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C including English and maths, and 97.6% achieved five or more at A* to C in any subjects (equivalent qualifications count). Of the 36 pupils finishing an A-level or equivalent course in Year 14, 80.6% achieved three or more A-levels at grades A* to C, and 97.2% 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 Mary's High School?
Northern Ireland does not use catchment areas. Places at St Mary'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 Mary's High School?
Apply through the Education Authority's online admissions system, naming St Mary'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 Mary's High School?
St Mary's High School is at UPPER CHAPEL STREET, NEWRY, DOWN, BT34 2DT.