Belfast High School

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Belfast High School is an English-medium grammar school located in Newtownabbey, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

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[edit] History

Belfast High School opened in 1854. The school celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2004 with a dinner in the Europa Hotel in Belfast, a sports evening at the school and a Carol Service in St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast.

The School was originally in Glenravel Street in Belfast, where it remained until 1963, when it moved to the current site in Jordanstown.

In the school's history there have been 7 head teachers:

  • John Pyper (1854-1867), who founded the school
  • James Pyper (1867-1917), the school's longest-serving headmaster
  • Spring Pyper (1917-1937)
  • Dr R H Harte (1938-1966), who bought land around an old house in Jordanstown in 1953 and moved the school there in 1963 (the house is now the administration block, housing the staff room, sick bay, and offices of the headmistress, her secretary, the bursar and vice-principal)
  • Mr S H Dunlop (1966-1987), who saw the building of a new science block (1970), the closure of Somerton House (the school's preparatory department) in 1981 and the enlargement of the school library (1980s)
  • Mr S R Hilditch (1987-2006), who saw the Harte Building opened in the 1990s to house Home Economics, Careers, Technology, ICT and a science lab, the refurbishment of the science block (2001-2003) and the refurbishment and enlargement of the Music Department
  • Mrs L F Gormley (2006-present), the school's first headmistress.


[edit] Houses

The pupils are split up into 4 houses: Pyper, Watson, Storey and Boyd. The pupils must wear a tie representing the house. The tie is blue with thick yellow stripes between thinner stripes in the owner's house colour (blue for Pyper, red for Storey, yellow for Watson and green for Boyd).

[edit] Curriculum

The School curriculum is designed to provide the broadest possible choice of subjects and experience for pupils who can benefit from them. In Form 1 and 2 pupils study the following subjects:

In Form 3 pupils are offered a choice of 2 out of 6 subjects which are:

  • German
  • Spanish
  • Classical Civilization
  • Technology
  • Spanish
  • Home Economics

All pupils studying a subject at GCSE level are expected to study it in form 3.(Science splits into Biology, Physics and Chemistry in form 3) In Form 4 and 5 pupils prepare for GCSE examinations. All pupils study:

  • English
  • English Literature
  • Mathematics
  • French

A small number may not continue with English Literature in Form 5. In addition the school offers the following subjects:

  • Additional Mathematics
  • Art
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Classical Civilization
  • Information and Communication Technology
  • Double Award Science
  • Geography
  • German
  • History
  • Home Economics
  • Latin
  • Music
  • Physical Education
  • Physics
  • Religious Studies
  • Single Award Science
  • Spanish
  • Technology (Products and Systems Design).
  • Two of Three Sciences

Pupils choose 5 more subjects (within the limits of Government Regulations) from the list above.

Greek, Music and Additional Maths can be made available outside the timetable as a tenth subject for very able pupils. At all levels throughout the School, pupils are required to do homework as an integral part of their studies. Parents are expected to co-operate by providing pupils with suitable opportunities to do their homework and by ensuring that it is done. Pupils in Lower Sixth study 3 or 4 AS levels drawn from a list of 23 or 24 different subjects.

In addition some Sixth Formers follow a course leading to an additional GCSE or an accreditation in Key Skills (Information Technology). Young Enterprise, Motor Vehicle Studies, Business Studies and a Religious Studies short course are also available. All Sixth Form pupils participate in a course which deals with interview and communication skills, careers advice and information about tertiary level education.

Upper Sixth pupils take 3 or 4 subjects to A2 level and follow an enrichment programme including UCAS preparation, talks by visiting speakers and basic life skills.

Throughout Forms 1 to 5, classes in Religious Studies are provided for every pupil, but parents who have a conscientious objection may withdraw their children from this class.

Careers Education is organized by a team of teachers, supplemented by the Careers Officers from the Training and Employment Agency, who provide information and advice for all pupils from Form 3 upwards. As well as Careers classes and interviews, the School has a full programme of special visits and work experience schemes designed to help pupils make informed career choices.

[edit] Facilities

Belfast High's on-site facilities include:

  • 6th Form Centre with a coffee bar
  • Library
  • Playing fields: The school is set in extensive grounds. Pitches for the boys and girls to play hockey, rugby and cricket are on-site along with an athletics track, outdoor netball court and six tennis courts.
  • A music department with recording studio.
  • High tech laboratories.

[edit] Sports

The three main sports at Belfast High are Cricket, Hockey and Rugby. Throughout the school, pupils are permitted to play sports on various weekdays for 2 periods each, where these sports are practised. Some pupils do not choose hockey and are then given another games activity to do eg. powerwalking, badminton and netball and circuits. The school created the football team in September 2006, but only for 6th years.

[edit] Notable alumni

[[1]]Stephen Rea - Film Actor
[[2]] Sir Ronnie Flanagan - Retired Chief Inspector of Constabulary, N. Ireland
[[3]]Alan McNeill - Professional Soccer Player, English League