Bangor Grammar School

Bangor Grammar School is a Grammar school located in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland, with a long history dating back to 1856. The school has a strong reputation for academic excellence, with many of its students going on to attend top Universities in the United Kingdom, such as University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Queen's University Belfast. Many notable figures have attended the school, including Nigel Dodds, David Trimble, and Samuel Ferguson. The school is also known for its historic connections to the Church of Ireland and the Diocese of Down and Dromore.

● History

The school was founded in 1856 by the Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore, with the aim of providing a high-quality education to the young men of Bangor and surrounding areas. Over the years, the school has undergone several transformations, including the addition of new buildings and facilities, such as the McGarel Hall and the Sports Pavilion. The school has also been influenced by notable historical events, including the Battle of the Somme, World War I, and the Irish War of Independence. Many of its students have gone on to fight in major conflicts, including the Battle of Normandy, Battle of El Alamein, and the Korean War. The school has also been associated with prominent figures, such as Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George, and Eamon de Valera.

● Admissions

Admissions to the school are highly competitive, with students required to sit the Common Entrance Examination or the Transfer Test. The school also considers applications from students who have attended Primary schools in Northern Ireland, such as Bangor Central Primary School and St. Malachy's Primary School. The school has a strong connection to the local community, with many students coming from families who have attended the school for generations, including those from Belfast, Lisburn, and Newtownards. The school is also a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference and the Association of Quality Schools.

● Curriculum

The school offers a wide range of subjects, including Mathematics, Science, English Literature, and History. Students can also choose to study Modern languages, such as French, German, and Spanish, as well as Classical languages, including Latin and Greek. The school has a strong focus on STEM education, with many students going on to study at top universities, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, and University of California, Berkeley. The school is also a partner of the British Council and the Royal Society.

● Extracurricular Activities

The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including Sports teams, such as Rugby union, Association football, and Cricket. Students can also participate in Music groups, including the School choir and the Orchestra, as well as Drama clubs and Debating societies. The school has a strong connection to the local community, with many students participating in Volunteer work and Charity events, including those organized by the Red Cross, Oxfam, and the Salvation Army. The school is also a member of the Northern Ireland Schools' Football Association and the Ulster Schools' Cricket Association.

● Notable Alumni

The school has a long list of notable alumni, including Politicians, such as Nigel Dodds, David Trimble, and Reg Empey. Other notable alumni include Academics, such as Professor Ian Greer and Professor David Livingstone, as well as Business leaders, including Sir George Quigley and Sir Allen McClay. The school has also produced many notable figures in the Arts, including Authors, such as C.S. Lewis and Michael Longley, and Musicians, including Van Morrison and Gary Lightbody. Many alumni have gone on to achieve great things, including winning awards such as the Nobel Prize in Literature and the Pulitzer Prize. The school is proud of its connections to institutions such as Trinity College, Dublin, University of Edinburgh, and University of St Andrews. Category:Schools in Northern Ireland