Best schools in Belfast
Grammar and integrated school choice matters in Northern Ireland, but the strongest moves still pair school performance with the postcode profile around it. This ranking covers 120 schools in the Belfast local authority. Postcode area BT5 has the highest average school score (85.7 across 3 schools), while BT62 sits at the lower end (51.0). 0% of ranked Belfast schools hold an Ofsted Outstanding or Good rating.
Top 10 schools in Belfast on the LocaleIQ model
Ordered by composite score within the Belfast comparison pool. Rankings reflect published data, not editorial opinion.
More schools in Belfast
Positions 11–30 in the Belfast ranking.
| # | School | LocaleIQ | Ofsted | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Rainey Endowed School | 95.2 | — | Secondary |
| 12 | Sullivan Upper School | 94.7 | — | Secondary |
| 13 | St Mary's Grammar School | 94.2 | — | Secondary |
| 14 | Assumption Grammar School | 93.7 | — | Secondary |
| 15 | Strathearn School | 93.2 | — | Secondary |
| 16 | Belfast High School | 92.8 | — | Secondary |
| 17 | Antrim Grammar School | 92.3 | — | Secondary |
| 18 | Lumen Christi College | 91.8 | — | Secondary |
| 19 | Sacred Heart Grammar School | 91.3 | — | Secondary |
| 20 | St Patrick's Academy | 90.8 | — | Secondary |
| 21 | St Malachy's College | 90.3 | — | Secondary |
| 22 | Belfast Royal Academy | 89.9 | — | Secondary |
| 23 | Dominican College | 89.4 | — | Secondary |
| 24 | Ballymena Academy | 88.9 | — | Secondary |
| 25 | Ballyclare High School | 88.4 | — | Secondary |
| 26 | Mount Lourdes Grammar School | 87.9 | — | Secondary |
| 27 | Dalriada School | 87.4 | — | Secondary |
| 28 | Lurgan College | 87 | — | Secondary |
| 29 | Foyle College | 86.5 | — | Secondary |
| 30 | Our Lady's Grammar School | 86 | — | Secondary |
Keep exploring Belfast
Questions about schools in Belfast
What is the best school in Belfast?
St Louis Grammar School is the top-ranked school in Belfast overall (LocaleIQ score 100 out of 100). 1,037 pupils. Primary and secondary schools are scored on separate metrics and peer pools — use the phase tabs above to compare like for like.
What is the best secondary school in Belfast?
St Louis Grammar School leads the Belfast secondary school ranking (LocaleIQ 100). 1,037 pupils. The Secondary tab above shows the full ranked list of Belfast secondary schools.
Are there any Outstanding-rated schools in Belfast?
None of the ranked schools in Belfast currently hold an Outstanding Ofsted rating. Ofsted re-inspects on a risk-based cycle, so ratings can change; check individual profiles for inspection dates.
Which area of Belfast has the best schools?
By average LocaleIQ score across postcode areas, BT5 has the strongest cluster — 85.7 average across 3 ranked schools. BT62 sits at the lower end (51.0 average). Grammar and integrated school choice matters in Northern Ireland, but the strongest moves still pair school performance with the postcode profile around it. Postcode averages mask individual variation — always review each school's full profile.
How many schools are ranked in Belfast?
This ranking covers 120 schools (primary and secondary) in the Belfast comparison pool. Use the Primary or Secondary tabs for phase-specific rankings. Schools without sufficient published data are excluded but may appear in the LocaleIQ directory.
Ranking data last computed 18 April 2026.