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Education

School system in Northern Ireland (Belfast)

63 replies

amahlert · 15/04/2016 15:05

Hi, my family and I are considering relocating from the US to Belfast.
I really have no idea how the NI school system works.
I have 2 kids. One is 9 yrs old, 3rd grade, one is 12 yrs old, 6th grade (US system).
What is the difference between primary, grammar, and secondary school?
How would my kids grades translate into the NI system?
While my kids are catholic on paper, we are non-religous, and open to any good school.
Also, I have been reading about catholic, protestant, and integrated schools. Are those all public (free) or private? Are the public schools good? How much is the average tuition it they are private?
And last but not least, one of my kids is bi-racial (half black). Will that be an issue? I found several news articles talking about recent attacks on foreigners.
We would like to live in Belfast, close to the university.

Thanks!

OP posts:

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HappyHugs · 27/01/2018 22:07

Hi Maggie. I am sure you will love Belfast, it’s a beautiful city.
Methodist College is diverse and has an excellent reputation and sounds like a good choice if you’re intending to live close to the university. However there are many excellent schools in the city so do have a look around for a best fit for your son. It is likely that to get a place at one of the grammar schools your child will need to take some sort of an entrance exam as they do all select the brightest kids academically. I’m not sure if any of the top schools are big on soccer - rugby seems to be the sport of choice. The Catholic grammars tend to play soccer more than rugby so that might be worth considering.
In terms of salary the average salary in Belfast in 2016 was quite low at about £19k per annum (I suspect the average academic salary would be much, much higher!) I would think to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle for a family of 3 as ou describe then £50k would give you plenty of room for extras. Not sure what your rent would be like though...depends very much what you’re looking at, and where...

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MaggieUrb · 29/01/2018 20:54

Thanks so much, HappyHugs, for all that detailed info. My husband would be earning slightly less than the amount you describe as being a good salary which would give room for lots of extras. I'm hoping I'll be able to find some work once there to add to the family budget too and thus things would be a bit easier on all of us money wise. I also think Belfast is a lovely city btw. We visited there last summer ...my first trip to the city and this despite having lived in Dublin for many years way back. Anyhow, have contacted Methody (and yes, they apparently do offer football though for older kids, it seems),and yes like you've said entrance is conditioned on an exam which my son could take from the US ahead of time. I will research other grammar schools too. Have you any to recommend? As for football, I've been assured there are lots of youth football clubs in Belfast so with a bit of luck we'll get something sorted our for our son. Have already done a bit of online research in the meantime. Again, many thanks for your input and info! Very helpful I can tell you. : )

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HappyHugs · 30/01/2018 23:29

Have a look at this
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/northern-ireland-gcse-and-alevel-school-league-tables-2017-35883148.html

Our Lady and St Pat’s scores very highly and is in Belfast as is Acquinis, Rathmore and friends are a little further out. Many of the others at the top of the list are too far from Belfast or are single sex girls. Check out the school websites too.

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/league-tables/gcse-northern-ireland-school-league-table-2017-35878506.html

Good luck!

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MaggieUrb · 02/02/2018 01:18

Thanks again, Happy Hugs, for all the valuable info. Already contacting schools there (Methody, Rathmore and Aquinas and others yet to be contacted ... like Wellington, I think) and getting busy with all the business of preparing for the big move. It's wonderful to get good info from folks living there! Do you know anything about football clubs there and if kids get in based on tryouts? Looking forward to life in Belfast but a million things to be done before we head out across the ocean : )

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HappyHugs · 05/02/2018 21:39

Your son won’t need to try out, he’ll just need to turn up and pay his fee 😊. He will get thrust into a team and play from the outset.
The closest club I know of for youth is Rosario which is in the ormeau area - so not far from university area. Be careful when choosing a soccer club, like many things here Sport can be divisive. I know people from both sides of the community who play with Rosario so it’s a fairly safe bet I imagine.
He’ll make loads of friends and love it!

Ps I have a son of a similar age so don’t be afraid to ask any questions.

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HappyHugs · 05/02/2018 21:48

Ps - since your son turns 13 in July he will go into Year 9 which is the second year of secondary level education. He will therefore cover a wide curriculum (mine does about 16 subjects) until the end of Year 10 when he will choose his 9-10 subjects for GCSE which are taken over years 11-12 with assessments throughout year 12 (and in some cases year 11, eg some kids do maths a year early and complete additional maths in Year 12). After that kids can leave school, attend a college of further education or (most likely route for grammar school kids) stay on for a final 2 years during which time they will complete 3-4 A levels. University entrance is dependant on the results of A levels. That’s a long way off but just so you have the full picture 😬

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MaggieUrb · 05/02/2018 22:09

Thanks a million, HappyHugs! Such invaluable information! I had heard through a friend of a friend in Belfast about Rosario and will definitely look into that club for my son. I also heard that the season begins around August. I was told that Crusaders is a very good competitive and semi pro club but that it may or may not be a good option to check out (according to my source it's a bit laddish/macho so we'll have see about this one) and that trials are the norm to get in.

As to schools, the search, paperwork and constant checking of websites, reviews, etc. continues. It's very time consuming stuff and I so wish I were actually there to go and visit schools and meet administrators in person, but that isn't a possibility for now so I guess I'll just have to thank my lucky stars for the internet at this stage and good folks like yourself that provide key info via Mumsnet about Belfast life. Thanks again so very much!

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Cleebope2 · 06/02/2018 19:39

I recommend Sullivan Upper in Holywood although a little outside South Belfast. Rosario and Carryduff Colts are great football clubs for youths. ( I wouldn't bother with Wellington College.) Grosvenor Grammar also worth a mention for football. RBAI great for boys. The other schools mentioned in this thread are all first rate.

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MaggieUrb · 07/02/2018 18:12

Thanks very much, Cleebope2, for the advice on football clubs and schools. Have applied to Grosvenor today as well as some of the other schools (Aquinas, Methody) and sent out a feeler e-mail to Rathmore. I don't want a school that feels too posh (RBA for example) as I don't think it would be a good fit for my son. As will initially be living close to QUB, am hoping that Methody will give us a chance. Actually am just hoping for something decent soon as the panic is about to set in ; ) Have also sent an e-mail to the Education Authority for advice on what to do if my son doesn't find a spot in one of the schools we've applied to. Will def check out Rosario and Carryduff Colts. Thanks again! All great stuff and massive help! Best to you!

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Cleebope2 · 07/02/2018 23:36

Don't rule out Inst for being too posh... it's really not any more! Hope you find the right school and that your son fits right in wherever he gets in. We are lucky in NI to have so many fantastic free schools.

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giddyupnow · 23/02/2018 17:17

I don’t think Inst is considered ‘posh’ - it’s yet another great school. Methody is the greatest though I joined at 14 and LOVED it. Perfect for your life if at Queen’s. Sullivan a great school but not that handy if you’re in south Belfast? Very academic though.

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CADMOM · 10/07/2018 17:17

MaggieUrb
Have you started a new thread.
Currently trying to figure out what schools for my two children (girl 5 and boy 11). We will be coming thru Ireland from Canada and would love some advice :)

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MaggieUrb · 13/07/2018 00:18

To CADMOM, Sorry for the delay in replying. I sent a message to your inbox. Unfortunately we are no longer relocating to Northern Ireland, but I had done lots of footwork regarding schools and had even hired movers (all contacted about cancelled plans at this stage) so am happy to share info I gathered. Just drop me a line.