What Rathmore Grammar School does

Rathmore Grammar School is a Catholic co-educational voluntary grammar school located in Finaghy, Belfast, Northern Ireland, founded in 1953 by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary on property originally acquired by the Diocese of Down and Connor in 1947. The school delivers secondary and post-GCSE education across Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 (GCSE), and Sixth Form (A-Level) following the Northern Ireland Curriculum, with a current roll of approximately 1,260 pupils spread across seven year groups (Years 8-14) at roughly 180 pupils per year, organised into tutor groups of about 20. Core academic programmes cover Religious Education (CCEA GCSE and AS/A2), English, Mathematics, Modern Languages (French plus German, Irish or Spanish), Sciences, and a broad elective range, complemented by pastoral care, careers education, sports, and faith-development programmes such as the Soar Leadership Programme (accredited by Stranmillis University College) and Youth Alpha.

The school is recognised as a Microsoft Showcase School for pioneering use of Microsoft Teams and OneNote in digital learning and was selected as one of two schools in Ireland to present at the Microsoft E2 Education Exchange global conference in Sydney. Supporting technology includes PTM School Cloud for parent-teacher meetings and ParentPay for school payments, alongside a virtual tour and an open website (rathmoregrammarschool.org) serving as the principal recruitment and engagement platform. Outcomes in 2024-2025 included 94.2% of pupils achieving 3+ A*-C grades at A-Level — described as one of the strongest year-group results in the past decade — and the school was named N.I. School of the Year in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026.

As a voluntary grammar school under the governance of a Board of Governors and rooted in the tradition of the Sisters of Sacred Heart of Mary, Rathmore is primarily funded by the Northern Ireland Education Authority with education provided at no direct cost to admitted families; ancillary revenue is generated from music tuition, canteen services (operated by Sodexo), and uniform supply through approved third-party retailers. The school markets to prospective pupils and families through Open Days, SEAG entrance assessments, prospectus, SOLAS Magazine, social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter), and an active Alumni and Friends Association supporting lifelong community engagement and careers partnerships with Queen's University Belfast, Ulster University, Stranmillis University College, Careers Service NI, PwC, KPMG, Deloitte, Survitec, and others.

Name

Rathmore Grammar School

Legal name

Rathmore Grammar School

Website

https://rathmoregrammarschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Rathmore Grammar School is a Catholic co-educational voluntary grammar school in Belfast, Northern Ireland, founded in 1953, delivering secondary and Sixth Form education to approximately 1,260 pupils and recognised as N.I. School of the Year 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Belfast

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (NI Education Authority): As a voluntary grammar school in Northern Ireland, Rathmore Grammar School is primarily funded through government funding from the Northern Ireland Education Authority. Education for pupils is provided at no direct cost to families.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Rathmore Grammar School delivers a Catholic co-educational grammar school education across Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 (GCSE), and Sixth Form (A-Level) for pupils aged approximately 11-18 in Northern Ireland. Curriculum delivery is supported by Microsoft Teams and OneNote digital learning, with comprehensive pastoral care, careers education, sports, religious education, and extracurricular programmes.

Product overview

Rathmore Grammar School offers a comprehensive grammar school education across Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 (GCSE), and Sixth Form (A-Level), delivered through a traditional academic curriculum complemented by digital learning via Microsoft Teams and OneNote. The school provides pastoral care, careers education, sports programs, and religious education following Catholic traditions. Additional offerings include leadership programs (Soar Leadership Programme), faith development (Youth Alpha Programme, Laudato Sí), engineering scholarships, and student support services including mental health and wellbeing programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 94.2% of pupils achieved 3+ A*-C grades at A Level in Academic Year 2024-2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Microsoft CorporationcoreTechnology or IntegrationRathmore Grammar School is a Microsoft Showcase School recognised for pioneering use of Microsoft Teams and OneNote in digital learning. The school hosted two visiting delegations from Microsoft Corporation including Principal Product Managers for Microsoft Teams and OneNote. Rathmore was selected as one of two schools in Ireland to showcase at the global Microsoft E2 Education Exchange conference in Sydney, Australia.
• DepaulminorOthersDepaul is a leading national charity working with families experiencing homelessness. Rathmore works with Depaul through its Christmas Campaign, buying toys and creating festive hampers. The school also held a coffee morning raising £1,327 for Depaul.
• SodexominorOthersCatering services at Rathmore are provided by Sodexo, led by Denise and her team, who specialise in sourcing fresh ingredients to ensure pupils receive a first-class and healthy dining experience.
• Stranmillis University College, BelfastcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Soar Leadership Programme is accredited by Stranmillis University College, Belfast. The six-week modular course exploring leadership skills is led by EXODUS Lisburn and completed by Year 13 pupils.
• Careers Service NIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school works closely with Careers Service NI. Each Year 12 pupil receives an initial interview with a Careers Officer, followed by further interviews if required. The Careers Department coordinates with Careers Service NI as part of the whole-school careers programme.
• Queen's University BelfastcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs part of the 'Miniversity' week, students visit Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University to meet lecturers in various departments. Queen's also hosts the Geographical Association World Wise Quiz at which Rathmore students won overall.
• Ulster UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports the Young Enterprise exam with reflective assessment based on student experiences in the Company Programme. Also part of the 'Miniversity' week university visit programme alongside Queen's University Belfast.
• SurvitecminorOthersSurvitec provides workshops for pupils and hosts an Engineering workshop for students studying related subjects. The school also offers onsite visits to the company as part of careers education.
• 4CUR FutureminorOthers4CUR Future is an industry-led social enterprise that organises a Careers event at St George's Market for Year 9 pupils, where students engage in employability skills with companies such as Fintru, Almac and Allstate.
• FintruminorOthersFintru participates in the Year 9 Careers event at St George's Market organised by 4CUR Future. The school also offers onsite visits to Fintru as part of careers education for Sixth Form students.
• Almac GroupminorOthersAlmac participates in the Year 9 Careers event at St George's Market organised by 4CUR Future, engaging pupils in employability skills activities.
• AllstateminorOthersAllstate participates in the Year 9 Careers event at St George's Market organised by 4CUR Future, engaging pupils in employability skills activities.
• EXODUS LisburncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEXODUS Lisburn leads the Soar Leadership Programme (a six-week modular course for Year 13 pupils) and the Youth Alpha Programme (a six-week faith discussion programme for Year 13). The Soar course is accredited by Stranmillis University College.
• Speakers for SchoolsminorOthersAll Year 13 students are encouraged to participate in at least two virtual work experiences facilitated by Speakers for Schools as part of their careers and work experience programme.
• Belfast TrustminorOthersYear 13 Medical applicants participate in virtual work experience with the Belfast Trust as part of their career preparation for medical and health-related studies.
• PWC, KPMG, DeloitteminorOthersStudents have the opportunity for onsite visits to PWC, KPMG and Deloitte as part of careers education in Sixth Form, providing exposure to professional services firms.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Strathearn School: Voluntary grammar school in Belfast providing secondary education for girls with strong academic outcomes. Direct competitor in the Belfast grammar school market with comparable positioning, particularly for sixth-form entrants from other schools.
• St Malachy's College: Catholic voluntary grammar school in Belfast providing secondary education for boys with a similar Catholic ethos, religious education curriculum and academic focus. Direct competitor for pupils in the same Belfast market with comparable value proposition.
• Methodist College Belfast: A voluntary grammar school in Belfast providing secondary and sixth-form education with a similar academic profile and Christian ethos. Methodist College is one of Northern Ireland's leading grammar schools and a direct competitor for academically selective pupils in the same catchment area.
• Belfast Royal Academy: One of Northern Ireland's oldest grammar schools, providing secondary education with strong academic credentials. Direct competitor for academic pupils in the broader Belfast and Northern Ireland market, regularly compared with Rathmore in league tables.
• Dalriada School: Voluntary grammar school in Ballymena providing co-educational secondary education with strong academic outcomes. Regional competitor for top pupils across Northern Ireland, regularly appearing in the same academic rankings as Rathmore.
• Campbell College: Voluntary grammar school in Belfast offering secondary education and boarding facilities with similar academic credentials. Competes with Rathmore for academic pupils in the Belfast area and across Northern Ireland, often appearing alongside it in school league tables.
• Rainey Endowed School: Voluntary grammar school in Magherafelt providing secondary education with a strong academic reputation. Regional competitor for top pupils across Northern Ireland with comparable selective admissions criteria and academic outcomes.
• Victoria College: Grammar school in Belfast offering secondary education with a similar academic profile. Competes with Rathmore for academically selective pupils in Northern Ireland and frequently appears alongside it in regional academic rankings.
• Royal Belfast Academical Institution: One of Northern Ireland's most historic and prestigious grammar schools, located in Belfast. Provides similar GCSE and A-Level programmes targeting academically selective pupils and competes directly with Rathmore for top students and Sunday Times recognition.

Regional players

• St Mary's University College Belfast: While primarily a university college, it shares a similar Catholic ethos and educational mission in Northern Ireland, providing teacher training partnerships that connect to Rathmore's teaching talent pipeline. Represents the broader educational ecosystem in which Rathmore operates.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rathmoretweets
• Facebookfacebook.com/rathmoregs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rathmore-grammar

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rathmore Grammar School