What Carrickfergus Academy does

Carrickfergus Academy is a state-funded, non-selective post-primary school operating under the Northern Ireland education system in Carrickfergus, United Kingdom. It serves pupils aged 11 to 18 across Key Stage 3 (Years 8-10), Key Stage 4 (Years 11-12, leading to GCSEs) and Key Stage 5 / Sixth Form (Years 13-14, leading to AS/A2 Levels). The school is overseen by the Education Authority (Northern Ireland) and runs both a junior campus and a senior campus. It does not generate tuition revenue directly; instead it is publicly funded through the NI school funding system, with ancillary income from school meals and standard parental contributions.

The school's curriculum combines academic GCSE and A-Level pathways (Sciences, English, Mathematics, Geography, History, Languages, Business, Government and Politics, Media Studies, Religious Education, Technology and Design, Music, Art, Sports Studies) with vocational BTEC and OCR Cambridge Technical routes in ICT, Health and Social Care, and Applied Science. ICT is a particular specialism with vocational options at GCSE-equivalent and a full A-Level ICT pathway covering web production, digital graphics, spreadsheet modelling, and social media for business. Through the Carrickfergus Learning Community (CLC) consortium, Sixth Form students access additional subjects (Accounting, Digital Technology, Performing Arts, Photography, Physics, Spanish) delivered at partner schools, and benefit from a co-organised annual Careers Convention.

The underlying technology footprint is modest: Google Classroom serves as the primary platform for coursework, assignments, and virtual work experience listings; the SIMS Parent App delivers achievement and behaviour notifications to families; Linguascape supports language teaching; and a careers portal provides work-exposure opportunities. The Confucius Programme introduces Year 8 pupils to Mandarin Chinese. Pastoral infrastructure includes Year 10-14 mentors, a Learning Support Coordinator, designated safeguarding leads, and separate Deputy Pastoral Leaders for each campus. Marketing and recruitment run through the school's Wix-hosted website plus Facebook and Instagram channels.

Name

Carrickfergus Academy

Legal name

Carrickfergus Academy

Website

https://carrickfergus.academy

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Carrickfergus Academy is a state-funded, non-selective post-primary school in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, serving pupils aged 11-18 with a full Key Stage 3-5 curriculum including GCSE, A-Level, and vocational BTEC/OCR pathways.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Middle Schools (EDAJAAAC)

Keywords

• Secondary education
• Post-primary school
• GCSE qualifications
• A-Level courses
• Vocational BTEC programmes

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Carrickfergus Academy is an all-ability, non-selective post-primary school that delivers secondary education for pupils aged 11-18 across Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 (GCSE), and Key Stage 5 (Sixth Form/AS-A2 Level). The school offers a dual academic and vocational curriculum including GCSEs, A-Levels, BTEC, and OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications, supported by pastoral care, careers guidance, and enrichment programmes delivered through two campuses (Junior and Senior).

Product overview

Carrickfergus Academy is an all-ability, non-selective post-primary school for pupils aged 11-18. Its educational offering is organized as a comprehensive curriculum spanning Key Stage 3 (Years 8-10), Key Stage 4 (GCSE Level), and Key Stage 5 (Sixth Form/A-Level). The school offers a dual educational pathway: traditional academic qualifications (GCSE and A-Level subjects including Science, Business Studies, English, Geography, History, Languages, and Technology) alongside vocational BTEC and OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications in ICT, Health and Social Care, and Applied Sciences. ICT is a particular strength, with OCR Cambridge Technical and BTEC Level 2 vocational options at GCSE equivalent and a full A-Level ICT pathway. Science education offers Double Award Science, Single Award Science, and OCN Applied Science at GCSE, with Life and Health Sciences at A-Level. The school collaborates through the Carrickfergus Learning Community to offer additional subjects including Accounting, Digital Technology, Performing Arts, Photography, Physics, and Spanish at Sixth Form level.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Key Stage 3 Curriculum (Years 8-10) Foundational curriculum covering all subjects for Year 8-10 pupils at Carrickfergus Academy, including ICT, Science, Modern Languages, Technology and Design, Music, Home Economics, Art and Design, and other core subject areas, providing the basis for GCSE-level study.
• Key Stage 4 Curriculum (GCSE and Vocational Level 2) GCSE and vocational Level 2 qualifications for Year 11-12 pupils, including Double Award Science, Single Award Science, OCN NI Level 2 Certificate in Applied Science, OCR Cambridge Technical in IT Level 2, Pearson BTEC ICT Level 2, BTEC First Award in Health and Social Care, GCSE Child Development, GCSE Food and Nutrition, OCN Early Years Child Care and Development, OCN Diet Food and Hospitality, and GCSE Technology and Design.
• Key Stage 5 Curriculum (Sixth Form / AS-A2 Level) Sixth Form AS/A2 Level subjects and vocational A-Level equivalents for Year 13-14 pupils, including Art, Business Studies, English Literature, Geography, Government and Politics, Health and Social Care, History, ICT, Media Studies, Religious Education, Science (Life and Health), Sports Studies, Technology and Design, plus Carrickfergus Learning Community offerings in Accounting, Digital Technology, Performing Arts, Photography, Physics, and Spanish.
• OCR Cambridge Technical in IT – Level 2 Vocational ICT qualification equivalent to 2 GCSEs, 100% coursework-based, teaching advanced creative ICT skills including Photoshop and web design. Units include Communication in the IT Industry, Working in the IT Industry, Website Development, and Multimedia Design. Designed for Key Stage 4 pupils at Carrickfergus Academy.
• Pearson BTEC ICT – Level 2 BTEC First Award in ICT providing knowledge, understanding, and skills to aid progression to A-Level ICT and the workplace. Units include The Online World, Technology Systems, Creating Digital Animation, Creating Digital Graphics, Spreadsheet Development, and Database Development. Offered to Key Stage 4 pupils at Carrickfergus Academy.
• OCR Cambridge Technicals A-Level ICT A-Level equivalent vocational ICT course assessed in 6 coursework units. Units include Communication and Employability Skills for IT, Information Systems, Digital Graphics, Website Production (using WordPress), Spreadsheet Modelling, and Understanding Social Media for Business. Designed for Sixth Form pupils at Carrickfergus Academy.
• Double Award Science GCSE Double Award Science programme where students obtain 2 GCSE grades covering detailed aspects of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics with an important practical element. Allows progression to A-Level in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Life and Health Sciences.
• Single Award Science GCSE Single Award Science providing 1 GCSE grade covering general understanding of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics with a series of practical investigations. Some students progress to Life and Health Sciences at A-Level.
• OCN NI Level 2 Certificate in Applied Science Vocational Level 2 Certificate in Applied Science, equivalent to 1 GCSE grade B, obtained through a portfolio of evidence. Vocational subject entirely based on continuous assessment over a 2-year course covering Life and Living Processes, Materials and their Chemical Properties, and Physical Processes.
• Life and Health Sciences (A-Level) Single Award A-Level in Life and Health Sciences including Experimental Techniques (practical portfolio), Human Body Systems, Aspects of Physical Chemistry, Scientific Method/Investigation/Analysis/Evaluation, Organic Chemistry, and Genetics/Stem Cell Research/Cloning. Offered to Sixth Form pupils at Carrickfergus Academy.
• BTEC First Award in Health and Social Care Practical, real-world approach to BTEC Health and Social Care developing skills needed for the care industry. Units include Human Lifespan Development, Health and Social Care Values, Effective Communication in Health and Social Care, and Promoting Health and Wellbeing. Graded from Level 2 Distinction* to Level 1 Pass.
• Technology and Design Design and manufacture of high quality technological products. At Key Stage 3 includes projects with Computer Aided Design and Pneumatics. At GCSE follows a Product Design course with 50% controlled assessment. Vocational route offers Construction Level 2 in Occupational Studies.
• Modern Languages Programme (Spanish, French, Mandarin) Modern foreign languages programme including Spanish and French following the AQA 9-1 specification for Spanish at GCSE. Year 8 pupils sample Mandarin Chinese through the Confucius Programme. Languages available at A-Level through the Carrickfergus Learning Community.
• Music Department Programme Music education across Key Stages 3 and 4. At Key Stage 4 includes controlled assessment as two musical compositions and performances. Areas of study include Western Classical Music, Film Music, Musical Traditions of Ireland, and Popular Music. Peripatetic tutors provide instruction in brass, strings, singing, woodwind, and piano. Extra-curricular activities include Choir and Instrumental Ensemble.
• Home Economics (Child Development, Food and Nutrition) STEM subject taught to all pupils in Years 8, 9, and 10. At Key Stage 4 includes GCSE Child Development, OCN Early Years Child Care and Development, GCSE Food and Nutrition, and OCN Diet Food and Hospitality. Prepares pupils for careers in farming, food industries, and hospitality.
• Careers Education and Guidance Service University and careers advisory service providing personalised advice and support on higher education and career options, work experience placement for Year 13 students, and an annual Careers Convention co-organised with local Carrickfergus Learning Community schools. Uses the Careers & Stuff student portal for career opportunities and virtual work experience.
• Pastoral Care and Safeguarding Service Pastoral care and safeguarding service led by the Vice Principal Pastoral and Designated Teacher, with year-specific mentors for Years 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, and Deputy Pastoral Leaders for Junior and Senior campuses. Includes additional educational needs support via the Learning Support Coordinator.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Carrickfergus Learning Community (CLC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Carrickfergus Learning Community is a consortium of local post-primary schools that collaborate to offer a wider range of subjects than any single school could provide alone. Carrickfergus Academy participates in the CLC to offer Sixth Form subjects including Accounting, Digital Technology, Performing Arts, Photography, Physics, and Spanish at partner schools within the Learning Community. The three local post-primary schools also collaborate to host an annual Careers Convention for students in Years 12.
• Confucius ProgrammeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Confucius Programme runs within Carrickfergus Academy, providing Year 8 pupils with the opportunity to sample Mandarin Chinese language (1 period per week). This programme is part of the school's commitment to providing diverse language learning opportunities beyond the standard French and Spanish curriculum.

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• United Learning: A large UK multi-academy trust running both state-funded and independent secondary schools. Comparable as a scaled secondary-education operator with broader geographic reach, though operating an academy trust model not present in Northern Ireland.
• Ormiston Academies Trust: A UK multi-academy trust operating a portfolio of secondary academies. Comparable as a secondary-education operator, though structured as an academy trust rather than a standalone state school.
• Harris Federation: One of the largest multi-academy trusts in England, operating primary and secondary academies including post-primary provision. Comparable as a larger, established secondary-education operator, though structurally distinct from Carrickfergus Academy's standalone state-funded model.

Direct peers

• Belfast Royal Academy: One of Northern Ireland's oldest and largest grammar schools, providing post-primary education to ages 11-18 with comprehensive GCSE and A-Level pathways. Comparable in curriculum structure and qualification mix, serving a wider Belfast-area catchment.
• Abbey Community College: A Northern Ireland post-primary school in Newry serving pupils aged 11-18 through Key Stages 3-5. Comparable as a non-selective post-primary within the same Northern Ireland education system.
• Cross and Passion College: A fellow Carrickfergus Learning Community member and post-primary school in Ballycastle, Northern Ireland. Directly comparable as a CLC consortium partner collaborating on Sixth Form subject delivery and the annual Careers Convention.
• St Columb's College: A Northern Ireland post-primary school in Derry/Londonderry offering GCSE and A-Level programmes to ages 11-18. Comparable in curriculum model and qualifications offered within the NI education system.
• Sullivan Upper School: A Northern Ireland grammar school in nearby Holywood serving pupils aged 11-18 across Key Stages 3-5. Comparable in curriculum breadth, GCSE/A-Level delivery, and pastoral structure, though operating under selective admissions.
• Ulidia Integrated College: An integrated post-primary school in Carrickfergus serving ages 11-18, also part of the Carrickfergus Learning Community consortium. Comparable in geography, age range, and consortium participation.
• Carrickfergus Grammar School: The other post-primary school serving the Carrickfergus catchment, operating a selective grammar model versus Carrickfergus Academy's non-selective approach. Directly comparable by geography, age range served (11-18), and curriculum structure, differing only in admissions selectivity.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CarrickfergusAcademy
• Instagraminstagram.com/carrickfergusacademy/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carrickfergus-academy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Carrickfergus Academy