Sullivan Upper School, HOLYWOOD
Sullivan Upper School is a grammar school for pupils in Holywood.
Data last updated 18 Oct 2026
Sullivan Upper School in detail
School in Northern Ireland
Sullivan Upper School is a voluntary school in Northern Ireland, where schools are inspected by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) rather than Ofsted.
1078 pupils are enrolled, 4% are entitled to free school meals and 12% are Catholic and 48% Protestant.
31 pupils (3% of those enrolled) are on the special educational needs register at stages 1 to 3 of the Code of Practice, 19 of them with a statement.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state secondary schools to Sullivan Upper School are Priory College (0.2 miles), Ashfield Girls' High School (2.1 miles), Ashfield Boys' High School (2.1 miles) and Campbell College (2.4 miles).
Priory CollegeAshfield Girls' High SchoolAshfield Boys' High SchoolCampbell College
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Sullivan Upper School.
7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Sullivan School Abbey Ring, 140 metres away.
Primary schools nearby
The primary schools closest to Sullivan Upper School are Sullivan Upper School (0.2 miles), St Patrick's Primary School (0.2 miles), Holywood Primary School (0.4 miles) and Knocknagoney Primary School (1.4 miles). As a grammar school, Sullivan Upper School admits pupils mainly on the results of a transfer test, by the criteria in its own admissions policy.
Sullivan Upper SchoolSt Patrick's Primary SchoolHolywood Primary SchoolKnocknagoney 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 Sullivan Upper School in January 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 (156 pupils)
98.7%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C, including English and maths
98.7%
5+ GCSEs at A* to C
A-levels, Year 14 (142 pupils)
88%
3+ A-levels at A* to C
99.3%
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.
Keep up with Sullivan Upper School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute and house prices
Special educational needs
31
Pupils on the SEN register (stages 1 to 3)
2.9%
of pupils enrolled
19
With a statement (stage 3)
12
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
Sullivan Upper School
Questions parents ask about Sullivan Upper School
When was Sullivan Upper School last inspected?
The Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) last published an inspection report on Sullivan Upper School in January 2019.
What are exam results like at Sullivan Upper School?
In 2024/25, of the 156 Year 12 pupils at Sullivan Upper School, 98.7% achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C including English and maths, and 98.7% achieved five or more at A* to C in any subjects (equivalent qualifications count). Of the 142 pupils finishing an A-level or equivalent course in Year 14, 88% achieved three or more A-levels at grades A* to C, and 99.3% 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 Sullivan Upper School?
Northern Ireland does not use catchment areas. Places at Sullivan Upper 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 Sullivan Upper School?
Apply through the Education Authority's online admissions system, naming Sullivan Upper School. Applications usually open in January, and post-primary places may depend on an entrance assessment taken in the previous autumn.
Where is Sullivan Upper School?
Sullivan Upper School is at BELFAST ROAD, HOLYWOOD, DOWN, BT18 9EP.