In the Sunday Times Parent Power Guide, Banbridge Academy featured as the 40th top performing secondary school in the UK.  The Principal, Mr Robin McLoughlin OBE, congratulated the entire school community on receiving such a wonderful accolade.

He explained that Banbridge Academy is a caring community that provides the foundation for excellence both inside and outside of the classroom.  Our mission statement is clear, “The pursuit of excellence in a caring and supportive community.”  Our central aim is for everyone to be happy at school, known personally and cared for individually.

Our students excelled in their A Level examinations – 60% of all entries were A*/A grades.  Out of the 169 pupils who entered these examinations – 69 obtained a minimum of 3 A*/A grades or better, with 21 pupils achieving at least 3 A* grades and 41 pupils obtaining at least 2 A* grades.  At GCSE, 99% of the students achieved at least 7 A*-C grades, including English and Mathematics.  Almost 70% of all GCSE entries resulted in top grades A*/A and 99 pupils obtained 8 A*/A grades or better.  The exceptional outcomes are due to the dedication and talent of our students, the outstanding commitment of our teaching and non-teaching colleagues and the tremendous support from our parents.

The Academy continues to offer an extensive range of extracurricular opportunities which promote the acquisition and development of life skills and nurture a sense of belonging and identity.  Artistic, cultural, dramatic, entrepreneurial, musical and sporting Clubs and Societies provide opportunities where our young people can excel and be happy.  The Academy enjoyed another amazing year of sporting success, with many Ulster and Irish titles secured in a wide range of sports, with over 30 students receiving either National or International Caps across 13 different sports.

For example:

Academy rugby had its most successful season in the history of the school with several players selected for the Ulster Rugby Development squads.  The 1^st XV won the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl and the Medallion team, after an epic final, shared the Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy.  Team members were part of the Irish National Elite Training squad, with another player selected as captain of the Ulster Clubs’ & Schools’ Team.

The 1^st XI Girls’ Hockey Team had another tremendous season, reaching the semi-final of the Belfast Telegraph Ulster Schools’ Cup, with many players chosen for the Ulster U18 Girls’ Hockey Team.

The Boys’ 1^st XI Hockey team became All-Ireland Champions and 15 boys were selected for the interprovincial squads and 9 boys for the Irish squad.  The Boys’ 2^nd XI retained the Prior Shield and won the Dowdall Cup, becoming double Ulster Champions.

The U15 Girls’ Table Tennis Team became Ulster Schools’ Champions and the Intermediate Boys’ Tennis Team reached the NI final.

All of the school netball teams reached the NI Schools’ Finals and many were selected for the NI team and development squads.