Slemish College

What Slemish College does

Slemish College is a state-funded integrated post-primary school located on Larne Road in Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, established in 1996 as Mid-Antrim's first planned integrated secondary school. The school serves students aged 11-18 (Years 8-14), with an initial intake of 84 students in September 1996 and currently operating under the Northern Ireland Department of Education framework. It was the second post-primary school in Northern Ireland to be designated 'Outstanding' by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) in April 2009, and achieved bilateral status in September 2002, enabling both academic and vocational pathways.

The school's educational offering includes GCSE and A-Level preparation, a fortnightly Careers Education Programme from Years 8-14, a STEAM curriculum with industry partnerships (Wrightbus, Bombardier), and an enrichment programme of over 35 clubs including the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Operationally, the school leverages standard educational technology — ParentPay for cashless refectory payments, Unifrog and UCAS Hub for careers guidance, CorbettMaths for maths revision, and a Shopify-based uniform shop — alongside an in-house MyApp (c2kschools.net) for parent and student communication.

Revenue is derived primarily from Department of Education per-pupil funding, supplemented by ancillary income from the refectory (with £2.80/day credited to students eligible for free school meals), uniform and PE kit sales, and event ticketing via Eventbrite. The school is governed by a 17-member Board of Governors and led by Principal Mr Michael Bennett, supported by Vice Principal Mr M Weir and a Senior Leadership Team.

Name

Slemish College

Legal name

Slemish College

Website

https://slemishcollege.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Slemish College is a state-funded integrated post-primary school in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, serving students aged 11-18 (Years 8-14) through GCSE, A-Level, and vocational pathways under the NI Department of Education framework.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Integrated Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public High Schools (EDAJAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

Keywords

• Integrated secondary education
• Post-primary schooling
• Sixth form education
• GCSE A-Level preparation
• STEAM curriculum

Headquarters

HQ city

Ballymena

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Educational Services: Slemish College is a state-funded integrated post-primary school operating under the Northern Ireland education system. The school receives government funding from the Department of Education for operational expenses. Additional revenue streams include a refectory service, uniform sales through an online shop (slemishcollege.org.uk/shop), and summer PE kit ordering. The school also hosts events and sells tickets through its ticketing system.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Slemish College is an integrated post-primary school delivering state-funded secondary education from Year 8 through Year 14 (ages 11-18) in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. The school offers GCSE and A-Level preparation, a Careers Education Programme, STEAM curriculum, and extensive extra-curricular activities. It is governed by a Board of Governors under the Northern Ireland Department of Education framework and supplements its core education with refectory catering, uniform sales, and event ticketing.

Product overview

Slemish College is a post-primary integrated secondary school offering a comprehensive educational programme from Year 8 through Sixth Form (Years 13-14). The institution provides a dual-structure educational offering: a core integrated secondary education (Years 8-12) following the Northern Ireland curriculum, alongside a Sixth Form provision (Years 13-14) delivering A-Level and vocational qualifications. Supporting the academic core, the college offers specialised programmes including a STEAM initiative, a fortnightly Careers Education Programme spanning all year groups, and an extensive Extra-Curricular Activities programme with over 35 clubs. Operational services encompass pastoral care, refectory catering with cashless payment via ParentPay, uniform provision, and the Maths Microsite digital learning resource. The institution also functions as a SEAG test centre for entrance assessments and provides Sixth Form support including UCAS application guidance. The House System serves as an enrichment and community-building framework across all year groups.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Integrated Secondary Education (Years 8-12) Post-primary integrated education for students in Years 8 through 12 following the Northern Ireland curriculum, with emphasis on academic excellence and vocational preparation. Delivered at the Larne Road, Ballymena campus.
• Sixth Form (Years 13-14) Post-16 education provision offering A-Level and vocational qualifications with dedicated support for university applications, apprenticeships, and career planning for students aged 16-18.
• Careers Education Programme Fortnightly careers lessons delivered from Year 8 to Year 14, providing guidance on GCSE choices, post-16 pathways, university applications, apprenticeships, and employment preparation.
• STEAM Programme Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics curriculum initiative with industry partnerships (Wrightbus, Bombardier), developing student understanding and encouraging progression into STEAM-related careers.
• Extra-Curricular Activities Programme Wide-ranging enrichment programme including athletics, drama, music, sports teams (GAA, football, rugby, hockey, netball), Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, Young Scientists' Club, and over 35 other clubs and activities.
• Pastoral Care Services Comprehensive student welfare system including peer mentoring, buddy system, counselling services, learning support, nurture room, homework club, and zero-tolerance anti-bullying measures.
• Refectory and Catering Service Cashless cafeteria service operated via ParentPay with fingerprint or PIN payment, offering healthy meals, Halal food provisions, theme days, and £2.80/day free school meal credits for eligible students.
• Uniform and PE Kit Provision School uniform and PE kit sales via online shop (slemish-college.myshopify.com) with PE kit ordering days for new students and a Pre-Loved Uniform Shop running seasonally.
• House System Six competitive houses named after Celtic saints (Comgall, Gall, Lorcan, Ultan, Faber, Beryan) promoting citizenship, healthy competition, and cross-year group interaction through points-based activities.
• Work Experience Programme Hybrid work experience programme for Years 12 and 13 combining block placements, virtual experiences, and job shadowing opportunities tailored to students' career goals.
• Maths Microsite Online revision resource providing Key Stage 3 and GCSE Maths materials including CorbettMaths video tutorials, topic guides, and past paper solutions at multiple tier levels.
• SEAG Test Centre Services Slemish College serves as an official test centre for the SEAG (Selective Education Assessment Group) entrance assessment, providing a supportive testing environment with familiarisation days for Year 8 entrants.
• Sixth Form Support Services Information evenings, UCAS application workshops, alternative pathway guidance, and personalised support for students applying to university or pursuing apprenticeships and Higher Level Apprenticeships.

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Queen's University BelfastcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025University engagement including visits and presentations for students exploring higher education pathways. Maintains excellent relationships to ensure students receive up-to-date guidance and opportunities.
• Ulster UniversitycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025University engagement and guidance for students on post-18 pathways with presentations and campus visit opportunities.
• CAFRE (College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Further education and vocational pathway presentations helping students explore agricultural and rural enterprise education options.
• Northern Regional CollegecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025College engagement ensuring students receive guidance on further education options alongside university pathways.
• WorkPlusminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Apprenticeship pathway support with talks from WorkPlus helping students explore Higher Level Apprenticeships and vocational routes.
• Young EnterpriseminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Enterprise and employability workshops delivered to help students develop business skills and understanding.
• Uform CareersminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Careers guidance and employability workshops supporting student career exploration.
• Nerve CentreminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Creative industry workshops and career exposure through Northern Ireland's leading creative learning centre.
• Slemish Careers NetworkcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Growing network of employers providing mock interviews, employer talks, and industry visits for students. Includes a range of local employers alongside university and college partners.
• WrightbuscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025STEAM business partnership with Wrightbus (local bus manufacturer) providing STEAM Ambassadors who visit the college to help students connect learning to the wider world, including industrial visits.
• BombardiercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025STEAM industry partnership with Bombardier (aerospace/transport manufacturer) offering workshops and industrial visits alongside teacher industry projects.
• Ballymena Learning TogethercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Slemish College is part of Ballymena Learning Together, a collaborative initiative between the eight post-primary schools in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. The partnership aims to build a more open and welcoming community where young people from differing traditions work together towards a shared future.
• NICIE (Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1994NICIE provided advice and support to the founding steering group in 1994 when parents sought to establish an integrated post-primary school in Ballymena. NICIE continued supporting the group through the Department of Education funding application process and was instrumental in the college's establishment in 1996.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Lagan College: Northern Ireland's first integrated post-primary school (founded 1981), based in Belfast. Operates the same integrated education model serving the same age range (11-18), governed under the NI Department of Education framework — making it the most direct and historically comparable peer to Slemish College.
• Hazelwood Integrated College: Integrated post-primary school in north Belfast serving students aged 11-18 under the same NI integrated education framework. Directly comparable in governance structure, student age range, curriculum (GCSE/A-Level), and integrated ethos.
• New-Bridge Integrated College: Integrated post-primary school in Banbridge, County Down, Northern Ireland, serving a similar 11-18 cohort under the same integrated education model. Comparable in size, curriculum delivery, and community-based mission to Slemish.
• Parkhall Integrated College: Integrated post-primary school in Antrim (close to Ballymena) serving the 11-18 age range under the NI integrated framework. Geographic proximity and shared integrated ethos make it a close comparator for enrolment trends and academic positioning.

Regional players

• Ballymena Academy: Long-established voluntary grammar school in Ballymena serving the same 11-18 catchment as Slemish. Direct competitor for high-attaining pupils through the SEAG entrance assessment, with comparable GCSE/A-Level provision but a selective grammar rather than integrated model.
• Dalriada School: Selective grammar school in Ballymena competing directly with Slemish for the same Year 8 cohort via SEAG. Comparable curriculum (GCSE/A-Level) and catchment but operates a traditional grammar model rather than integrated education.
• Cambridge House Grammar School: Voluntary grammar school in Ballymena offering post-primary education to the same 11-18 age group via SEAG entry. Competes with Slemish for able pupils within the shared Ballymena catchment but operates under a selective grammar rather than integrated framework.
• Rainey Endowed School: Selective grammar school in Magherafelt, County Londonderry, serving a similar 11-18 cohort under the NI grammar school framework. Comparable in curriculum (GCSE/A-Level) and STEAM provision but operates outside the Ballymena catchment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SlemishCollege
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/SlemishCollege1996
• Facebookfacebook.com/slemishcollege
• Instagraminstagram.com/slemishcollege

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Slemish College