Catholic schools have dominated a survey of top performing schools in the North, taking the top three spots and five out of the top 10, the Irish Catholic reports.

St Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt, Co. Derry, took top spot for the second year running in the 30th edition of The Sunday Times ‘Parent Power’ poll, which identifies the highest-achieving schools in the UK.

Principal of St Mary’s Paul McLean expressed “delight” at the news, saying students leave the school “with a value system that sets pupils up for life”.

“There are so many challenges and competing priorities in young peoples’ lives that the safety and support of parents and schools working closely together is a necessary element to each pupil reaching their potential,” Principal McLean said.

More than 1,600 schools were studied for the survey, with rankings based on grades achieved in the schools.

“The quality of Northern Irish grammar schools shines through yet again in the national rankings, with seven schools in the top 50” across the UK, the release states.