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What it's like

Founded in 1614 as a boys' school, it became co-educational in 1986 when it assimilated the Dungannon High School for Girls. Its ancient and modern buildings (the Old Building of the school is listed) lie on the edge of the town in a fine 45-acre estate in beautiful surroundings and a major building and refurbishment programme has been completed. The whole establishment is extremely well equipped with excellent facilities and good examination results. Flourishing music, art and drama departments. A wide range of sport and games, with many national and county representatives, particularly in rugby and hockey. Plentiful extra-curricular activities. Very good record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 11-19; 655 pupils, 590 day (290 boys, 300 girls), 45 boarding (30 boys, 15 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 11 and 16. NI eleven plus and interview used; for sixth-form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade B (including sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry 95% senior intake (small numbers to sixth form); Dungannon and Howard primary schools both provide more than 20% of intake.

Scholarships & bursaries

15 pa academic scholarships, value 300-600 (6 awarded at 16, 3 each at 11, 13 and at other ages); plus 8 scholarships in music, sport, drama, art and design. 2 bursaries. Parents expected to pay a deposit of 25 for books; no other extras.

Parents

85+% live within 30 miles; up to 10% live overseas.

Head & staff

Headmaster: P D Hewitt, in post from 1984. Educated at RBAI and at Queen's University Belfast and London University (French, English and education). Previously Sixth Form Master at Belfast Royal Academy. Also member of SHA, Admiralty Interview Board and Youth Council for NI, Chairman of Northern Ireland Boarding Schools Partnership and Southern Board Post-Primary Principals' Association. Teaching staff: 41 full time, 10 part time. Annual turnover 4%. Average age 40.

Exam results

GCSE: 97 pupils in upper fifth: 97% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects; 3% in 5-7 subjects. Average GCSE score 54 (over 5 years). A-levels: 85 in upper sixth: 95% passed in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 315.

University & college entrance

92% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (9% after a gap year), 6% to Oxbridge. 15% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 20% in science and engineering, 15% in law, 20% in humanities and social sciences, 9% in art and design, 10% in other vocational subjects. Others typically go on to further education, farming or family business.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels: 24 subjects offered (including motor vehicle road studies for lower sixth; no A-level general studies). 58% took science A-levels; 25% arts/humanities; 17% both. Vocational: Work experience available (3-5 days in lower sixth). RSA stages 1 and 2 keyboarding. Special provision: Extra EFL tuition (3 days a week after school). Languages: French and German offered to GCSE, AS and A-level and on non-examined basis. Regular exchanges; twinned with a German school in Bavaria and a French school outside Nantes. Visits to EU office in Belfast; talks from MEPs. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum (eg word-processing and spreadsheets). Most pupils take Clait. 90 computers for pupil use (2 hours a day outside class time), 50 networked and most with email and internet access. Most pupils have access to computers at home.

The arts

Music: Over 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups: symphonic band, strings, woodwind quartet, barbershop, senior and junior choir, senior and junior chamber choirs. Recent winner in regional band competition. 12 in Regional Youth Orchestra. Drama: Majority of pupils are involved in school productions. Annual musical production eg Oliver. Art and design: On average, 50 take GCSE, 12 A-level. Design, ceramics, textiles, desktop publishing also offered. Several A-level and GCSE candidates selected to exhibit nationally. Pupils regularly accepted for art college.

Sports & activities

Sport: Rugby, hockey, cricket, athletics, golf, swimming, tennis, rambling, basketball, volleyball, cross-country, indoor soccer, lifesaving, table tennis, weights compulsory except in sixth form. 5 played rugby for Ulster, 2 for Ireland, 5 play hockey for Ulster sides; school has won Ulster Schools and All-Ireland hockey cups. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. RN Cadets (CCF) and community service optional. Up to 15 clubs, eg debating, public-speaking, quiz, photography, SU, library, computing, art.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn throughout (boarders wear own clothes out of class). Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects - appointed by the Headmaster after election by sixth form and recommendation of staff. Religion: Christian, non-denominational. Compulsory morning assembly, Sunday morning and evening service for boarders. Exceptions made if parents request. Muslim, Hindu and other preferences respected. No sects permitted access to pupils. Social: Debates, discos, sports meetings, quizzes, academic lectures. Annual European trip to France, Italy, Germany; skiing trip. Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike/motorbike to school. All meals self-service (smartcard system). School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline

Pupils falling to produce homework once might expect to have to repeat it; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises could expect expulsion.

Alumni association

run by Mr Wesley McCamley (OBA President), Mrs J Archer, (OGA President), both c/o the school.

Former pupils

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass; Paddy Johns (Ireland rugby XV); Darren Clarke (professional golfer); Edmund Curran (Editor, Belfast Telegraph); Lady Sylvia Hermon MP; Joyce and Avril Malley (Olympic and World Masters Judo Champions). Prof Adrian Long (former President, Institute of Engineers).