Founded in 1860, it occupies a semi-rural, single site in 70 acres of playing fields and grounds on the outskirts of Coleraine with a view over beautiful landscapes and the lower reaches of the River Bann (the playing fields occupy terraces down to the river edge). It is a well-run school with high academic standards. It aims to provide a full and thorough instruction in all branches of a liberal education and results are good. There is a good range of sports and games with many Ulster and Ireland representatives. Sporting facilities are good, including a large sports hall, 10 rugby pitches, 5 with cricket wickets; also a boathouse (fitted with an indoor rowing tank for coaching), the headquarters of a busy club offering rowing, canoeing and sailing on the Bann estuary. A fair commitment to local community schemes.
Pupils: Age range 11-19; 711 boys. Entrance: Main entry ages 11 and 16. Approx 25% are children of former pupils. For sixth form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects). Above-average IQ expected; no religious requirements. State school entry 100% at 11, 75% at 16. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.
Headmaster: Dr David Carruthers, in post from 2007. Educated at Queen's University, Belfast (mathematics). Previously Head of Mathematics and Senior Teacher at Royal Belfast Academical Institution. Teaching staff: 45 full time. Annual turnover 2%.
GCSE: 88 pupils in Year 12 (upper fifth), 99% gained at least grade C in 7+ subjects. A-levels: 59 in upper sixth: 51% passed in 3+ subjects, 49% in 2 subjects. Average final point score achieved by the upper sixth 292.
90% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course, 4% to Oxbridge. 6% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 39% in science and engineering, 4% in law, 37% in humanities and social sciences, 3% in business and finance, 1% in art and design. Others typically go on to HND courses or into the forces.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 19 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 3-4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. 45% take science A-levels; 20% arts/humanities; 35% both; general studies offered. Key skills largely integrated into subjects. Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges to France. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 110 computers for pupil use (6 hours a day), all networked with email and internet access. Many sixth formers take ECDL as part of general studies.
Music: Up to 20% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Orchestra popular. Drama: Some pupils are involved in school productions and house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 40 take GCSE, 15 A-level.
Sport: Rugby compulsory in Year 8. Optional: cricket, athletics, swimming, cross-country, tennis, squash, badminton, rowing, sailing, angling and lifesaving; also basketball, badminton. 3 oarsmen in last Olympics; Ulster and Irish successes in badminton, rugby, swimming, golf, cross-country, athletics, tennis, bridge. Activities: Community service optional. Up to 15 clubs, eg drama, debating, bridge, chess, charity group, swimming.
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: No competitive houses. Prefects and head boy, elected by staff and sixth form. Religion: Non-denominational school; religious worship is encouraged. Social: Debating society with other local schools. Ski trip, modern language trip and rugby tour each year. Pupils allowed to bring own car to school. Meals self-service.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect to do it by the following day. Smoking is not permitted on the school campus.
The Coleraine Old Boys' Association, c/o the school.
James Nesbitt (actor); Mark Carruthers (TV presenter); Andrew Trimble (rugby); Richard Chambers (2007 World Champion rower); Air Marshal Sir George Beamish (RAF); David Burnside (UUP politician).
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