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: 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.
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.
85+% live within 30 miles; up to 10% live overseas.
Headmaster: Dr D Burnett, in post from 2009. Educated at at Queen's University Belfast (history). Teaching staff: 41 full time, 10 part time. Annual turnover 4%. Average age 40.
GCSE: 97 pupils in upper fifth: 97% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects; 3% in 5-7 subjects. A-levels: 85 in upper sixth: 95% passed in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 320.
95% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (9% after a gap year), 3% to Oxbridge. 8% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 34% in science and engineering, 8% in law, 23% in humanities and social sciences, 3% in art and design, 23% in other vocational subjects. Others typically go on to further education, farming or family business.
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). 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.
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.
Sport: Rugby, hockey, cricket, athletics, golf, swimming, tennis, rambling, basketball, volleyball, cross-country, indoor soccer, lifesaving, table tennis, weights compulsory except in sixth form. 3 played rugby for Ulster, 1 for Ireland, 1 plays 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. Up to 15 clubs, eg debating, public-speaking, quiz, photography, SU, library, computing, art.
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; occasional hockey and rugby tours to New Zealand. Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike/motorbike to school. All meals self-service (smartcard system). School shop. No alcohol allowed.
Pupils falling to produce homework once might expect to have to repeat it; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises could expect expulsion.
All boarders share a modern cubicle for 2 or 4. Dormitories divided by age and sex. Resident qualified nurse/doctor. Central dining room. Exeats every 3-4 weekends. Visits to the local town allowed. Mixing with day pupils' families encouraged.
run by Mr Sean Irwin (OBA President), Mrs J Archer, (OGA President), both c/o the school.
Lord (Ken) Maginnis (politician); 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).
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