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What it's like

Founded in 1785 (the oldest school in the city), its new premises were opened in 1880 in north Belfast. The neo-Gothic buildings of that period have received extensive additions and modernisation now providing excellent facilities. It is non-denominational and has been co-educational since 1891. All fees are paid by the local authority. There is a high standard of teaching and examination results are consistently good. It is very strong in music and drama, and also in sport - there are many Ulster and Ireland representatives. A large number of extra-curricular activities flourish and there is substantial commitment to local community schemes and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. The preparatory school, Ben Madigan, is at a different site just below Belfast castle.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 3-19; 1560 day pupils (776 boys, 784 girls). Senior department 11-19, 1410 pupils (705 boys, 705 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 11 and 16. Admission by test set by the Department of Education; for sixth-form entry, 7 GCSEs at least grade B (including subjects taking on to A-level). Academic competence required; no religious requirements. Some 10% of senior intake from own prep (enquiries to Ben Madigan Preparatory School, 690 Antrim Road, Belfast BT15 5GP; Tel 028 9077 1139)

Scholarships & bursaries

All senior-school pupils have fees paid by DENI. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.

Parents

6% engineering; 10% science and technology; 20% business and finance; 15+% doctors, lawyers, teachers.

Head & staff

Headmaster: W S F Young in post from 2000. Educated at Foyle College, Londonderry, and Queen's University Belfast (Classics). Previously Deputy Headmaster and Head of Religious Education at Belfast Royal Academy. Teaching staff: 84 full time, 21 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 40.

Exam results

GCSE: 204 pupils in fifth; 92% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 7% in 5-7 subjects. Average GCSE score 60. A-levels: 182 in upper sixth; 94% passed in 3+ subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 301.

University & college entrance

94% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (1% after a gap year), 4% to Oxbridge. 15% took courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 26% in science and engineering, 7% in law, 11% in humanities and social sciences, 4% in art and design, 20% in vocational subjects eg accountancy, podiatry, sport and leisure. Others typically go on to employment, armed forces or retake A-levels.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 22 GCSE subjects, 25 AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. Contrasting subjects have been selected by most. Key skills incorporated into some A and AS-levels; ICT courses open to sixth formers. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Help and support as required for pupils with physical disabilities, specific learning difficulties or for whom English is not the first language. Languages: French, German, Spanish and Latin offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Contacts with schools in France and Germany. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. Many pupils take OCR qualification in typing and wordprocessing. 230 computers for pupil use (7 hours a day), all networked and with internet access.

The arts

Music: Up to 15% of pupils learn a musical instrument, and instrumental exams may be taken. Some 14 musical groups including symphony orchestra, senior/junior strings, wind bands, big band, 5 choirs, string quartet, jazz band, traditional Irish music group. 5 members of Ulster Youth Orchestra. Annual concert plus other public performances (eg carol services). Drama: Drama an integral part of English course for 2 years, an option in third year and for GCSE; theatre studies offered for A-level. Two major productions a year, involving up to 300 pupils, plus occasional small-scale studio productions. Art and design: On average, 50 take GCSE, 20 A-level.

Sports & activities

Sport: PE compulsory through curriculum. Options include: rugby, hockey, cricket, badminton, tennis, football, volleyball, netball, cross-country, athletics, swimming, show jumping, golf, squash, basketball. A significant number of pupils represent Ulster and Ireland in a variety of sports each year. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. ATC and community service optional. Pupils visit the elderly, attend sign-language courses, run Christmas parties for elderly and children with disabilities. Some 80 clubs, eg community service, Christian Union, variety of sports and musical groups, debating, lifesaving, chess, computers, electronics, drama, bridge etc.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy and girl, house captains, junior house leaders, elected by pupils. Religion: Non-denominational morning assembly compulsory, unless exemption requested by a parent. Social: Annual ski trip; three trips to France; at least one other trip abroad. Close contacts with Belvedere College, Dublin. Pupils allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals self-service. Sixth-form centre. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a scolding or extra work. Smoking cannabis would entail permanent exclusion.

Alumni association

Office in school. Hon Secretaries: Mr M Cooper, 2 The Glade, Station Road, Greenisland, BT38 8GL (Old Boys' Association); and Mrs C Scoffield, 15 Glenshane Park, Newtownabbey, BT37 0QN (Old Girls' Association).

Former pupils

Sir Francis Evans (soldier and diplomat); Viscount Garmoyle, Earl Cairns (Lord Chancellor); Archbishop John Armstrong; Archbishop Robin Eames; Major-General Eric Girdwood; Rear Admiral Dudley Gurd; John Cole, Douglas Gageby (journalists); Jack Kyle (sportsman); Colin Middleton (artist); Kate Hoey (MP, Minister for Sport); Rt Hon Sir Donald Murray (Justice of Appeal).