Sullivan Upper School

Sullivan Upper is a co-educational, inter-denominational, voluntary grammar school.  The school was founded in 1877 and, since 1939, has occupied extensive grounds on the edge of Holywood.

The school’s aims remain very much as they originally were: to provide the best possible education for all pupils, regardless of race, sex, background or religious denomination.  Pupils come to Sullivan from a large catchment area, covering North Down, Ards and East Belfast. 

We provide for all our pupils as broad and balanced a curriculum as possible; we support this formal curriculum with a coherent and carefully-planned programme of pastoral provision, including Learning for Life and Work; and we extend it through a wide range of games, clubs, societies and other extra-curricular activities.

Our aims are set within the context of a Christian but non-denominational framework and we hope that, in seeking to achieve it, we help all our pupils to develop their talents to the full and to prepare themselves effectively for the challenges and responsibilities of adult life. 

Our emphasis is strongly academic and we place a high value on academic achievement.  Pupils entering the school at age 11 begin a five-year course of study leading to GCSE examinations, in which they will be expected to enter for at least 9 subjects, and it is anticipated that the vast majority of those who take GCSE examinations will remain at school for a further two years to take GCE AS and Advanced Level courses and then proceed to higher education.

Further details about the school, the subjects taught, the range of choice available and the general organisation, including school rules, are set out in the Prospectus, which is available on the website and from the Headmaster’s PA on request.  Copies of the school’s statement of its admissions criteria for 2011/12 are also available on the website or from the Headmaster’s PA on request.