Victoria College, Belfast

Coordinates: 54°34′23″N 5°56′56″W / 54.573°N 5.949°W / 54.573; -5.949

Victoria College, Belfast
Location
Cranmore Park
Belfast
Northern Ireland
Information
Type Voluntary girls' independent grammar school
Motto Honor Fidelitatis Praemium – honour is the reward of loyalty
Established 1859
Founder Mrs Margaret Byers
Principal Ms Patrica Slevin
Number of students 175 aged 3-10
867 aged 11-18
Houses Crescent
Pakenham
Wellington
Marborough
Richmond
Howard
Website http://www.victoriacollege.org.uk

Victoria College, Belfast is a voluntary non-denominational Independent grammar school in Cranmore Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland. In 2007, the college had 867 pupils aged 11 – 18 and a Preparatory Department with 175 girls, aged 3 – 11.

Victoria College has been awarded specialist school status beginning from September 2009.[1] The college will specialise in STEM-related areas (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

History

Founded by Mrs Margaret Byers (1832–1912) in 1859,[2] it is one of the longest established girls' schools in the British Isles. The college was established in Wellington Place and was first known as The Ladies' Collegiate School Belfast. It soon acquired, and continues to maintain, a high reputation for academic excellence and sporting prowess.

In 1887, Queen Victoria's Jubilee Year, the name of the school was changed by Royal Command to Victoria College and School. A century later, Victoria College amalgamated with Richmond Lodge School, a neighbouring girls' school of similar status.

The origins of Richmond Lodge lie in a school opened in 1879 by the Misses Hardy on the Stranmillis Road. It moved to the Malone Road in 1913 and soon acquired full academic recognition. Richmond Lodge past pupils continue their association with the school through the Arellian Association.

From 1947 to 1970, the art department at Victoria College was headed by Mercy Hunter, a notable calligrapher and influential teacher.

Over the past 150 years, Victoria College (as it is now called) has relocated several times. Former Belfast locations include Howard Street, Pakenham Place and Lower Crescent before the current school was established at Cranmore in the 1970s. School house names reflect the past locations.

Location

The school has two campuses the Richmond Campus (for Forms 1 & 2) and the Cranmore Campus (for Forms 3-U6). In addition, a kindergarten for boys and girls is located within the Richmond Campus and the girls only Preparatory Department is located on the Cranmore Campus.

The whole school is situated within extensive mature grounds in South Belfast. This location between two of the main arterial routes into the City is convenient to city, town and country bus routes and the local railway network. It is also within walking distance of the Queen's University Belfast and the Ulster Museum and many local art galleries and theatres.

Staff

The school is staffed by 82 full- and part-time teachers and 30 support staff.

Boarding

Drumglass House was built in 1820 and serves as the Boarding Department for girls of all ages and all backgrounds. It is located within the grounds of the Cranmore Campus. The Boarding Department caters for up to 60 boarders, many from Europe or East Asia.[3]

150th anniversary

2009 saw the 150th anniversary of the founding of the college. Throughout 2009, events celebrating the history of the school took place. An exhibition opened in May 2009 at the college.

In addition, the college has been successful in several competitions. These include

F1 in Schools 2009 - National champions, GT class.

UKAYRoC 2009 - Only all-girls team to finish in the top three.

In 2010, a team of pupils from the College won their regional heat of the Faraday Challenge and subsequently took first prize at the National Finals held in Manchester.

Comenius

The College also takes part in the Comenius programme along with partner schools from Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland and Portugal.

Exam results

GCSE and A-level results in the college are consistently high every year. The exam boards offered to students are Edexcel, AQA, OCR, CCEA, WJEC. The % pass rate at grades A* to C (exams at age 16 - GCSE or equivalent)is 97%; the % pass rate (exams at age 18 - 'A' Level or equivalent) is 100%. Several pupils of the school are usually admitted to Oxbridge every year.

Uniform

Winter uniform

Summer uniform

References

  1. ↑ "22 April 2009 - Specialist Schools funding announced | Northern Ireland Executive". Northernireland.gov.uk. 2009-04-22. Retrieved 2015-04-24.
  2. ↑ "Byers, Mrs. Margaret". Who's Who. Vol. 59. 1907. pp. 268–269.
  3. ↑ "Victoria College Belfast". Victoriacollege.org.uk. Retrieved 2015-04-24.
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