Friends’ named Sunday Times Northern Ireland Secondary School of the Year!

The Sunday Times Schools Guide has named Friends’ as Northern Ireland Secondary School of the Year for the second time. As well as taking into account results at A-level and GCSE, this award reflects extra-curricular provision and other aspects of school life.

Alastair McCall of the Sunday Times said: “It is rare for a school to win one of our School of the Year awards twice, all the more so when a second title comes just six years after the first as has happened at Friends’ School. “The award is indicative of the sustained success the school achieves with and for its pupils. But it is no examination factory. Children are encouraged to “live adventurously” and they achieve great success in sport, music and drama to complement their prowess in public examinations. The school’s award is well deserved.”

Stephen Moore, Principal said that he was delighted at the award and that it reflected a year of sustained hard work:

“I am grateful to pupils, teachers, support staff, parents and governors whose hard work, passion and commitment to Friends’ has made this award possible. It is a wonderful accolade and one to be enjoyed by the whole school community.”

In purely academic rankings, Friends’ was placed 33rd overall in the UK, up from 79th last year. This reflects an increase of 6% in terms of A-level entries at A*-B, and a 10% increase in GCSE entries awarded A*-A grades. Parent Power 2018, The Sunday Times Schools Guide, will be published this Sunday, 26 November, thesundaytimes.co.uk/parentpowerr