54°35′24″N 5°42′14″W / 54.590°N 5.704°W
| Regent House Grammar School | |
|---|---|
 School crest | |
| Address | |
 | |
Circular Road , , BT22 4QA Northern Ireland | |
| Information | |
| Type | Grammar school |
| Established | 1924 |
| Local authority | Education authority |
| Principal | Michael Carville |
| Gender | Co-educational |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Enrolment | 1,420 (approx.) |
| Houses | Castlereagh Clandeboye Scrabo Strangford |
| Colour(s) | (Boys) (Girls) |
| Website | regenthouse |
Regent House School is a co-educational, controlled grammar school in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland. It comprises two parts: the preparatory department, known as "the Prep", and the main school itself. It has over 1420 pupils from ages 4 to 18.
The school is divided into four houses: Castlereagh, Strangford, Scrabo and Clandeboye.
Inspections
editThe school was inspected by the Controlled Schools' Support Council in 2015 and judged Satisfactory.[1] In 2019 another inspection was carried out, but could not reach a judgement because of industrial action being taken by staff.[2]
Music
editIn 2017 the school's choir won BBC Radio Ulster School Choir of the Year.[3] In 2024 the chamber choir placed third in the UK in the Barnardos National Choral Competition.
Sport
editRegent House has won the Ulster Schools Cup and Medallion Shield.
Regent House won the Schools' Cup Final in 1994 where it defeated Wallace High School 8–3 in what has proved to be its only outright victory. Two years later, Regent shared the Schools Cup with Methodist College Belfast following a 6–9 draw.
The cricket team won the McCullough Cup.[citation needed]
Notable former pupils
edit- Jim Allister, MP and leader of the TUV in Northern Ireland; he was formerly an MLA in the Northern Ireland Assembly
- Nigel Carr, former British Lions rugby player[4]
- David Coulter, Church of Scotland minister and Chaplain General in the British Army[5]
- Holly Hamilton, BBC journalist and presenter[6]
- Simon Hamilton, Democratic Unionist Party politician and former minister in the Northern Ireland Executive[7]
- Eddie Irvine, Formula One racing driver[8]
- Phillip Matthews, former Ireland rugby union international[9]
- Maxine Mawhinney, BBC newsreader[10]
- Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Blair "Paddy" Mayne, DSO & 3 Bars, founding member of the SAS, former British Lions rugby player[8]
- Rhys McClenaghan, gold medallist for Ireland in gymnastics at the 2024 Summer Olympics
- Michael McGimpsey, Ulster Unionist Party MLA and Minister of Health in the Northern Ireland Executive[11]
- Catherine Jean Milligan, former Miss Northern Ireland[12]
- Colin Murray, broadcaster[13]
- Ottilie Patterson, blues singer with the Chris Barber jazz band[14]
References
edit- ^ "Regent House School Improving educational outcomes through staff development and evaluation strategies" (PDF). Controlled Schools’ Support Council. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ "Regent House School, Newtownards, County Down Report of a Sustaining Improvement Inspection (Involving Action Short of Strike) in December 2019" (PDF). ETINI. Education and Training Inspectorate. 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ "Regent House School named Northern Ireland's top senior school choir". Controlled Schools Support Council. 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ "Where are they now? Nigel Carr (Belfast 27/7/59)". Irish Independent. 18 January 2006. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ "COULTER, Rev. Dr David George". Who's Who 2016. Oxford University Press. November 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
- ^ McNeilly, Claire (26 November 2020). "Joy for BBC couple Holly Hamilton and Connor Phillips with baby on the way". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
- ^ Black, Rebecca (26 December 2014). "Finance Minister Simon Hamilton's old college Regent House slams cuts". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Autumn highlights from BBC Northern Ireland" (Press release). BBC. 26 August 2009. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ "Where are they now? Philip Matthews (Gloucester 21/1/60)". Irish Independent. 18 January 2006. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ Bell, Gail (6 September 2017). "Maxine Mawhinney: I'll wander round the garden in my dressing gown and wellies". The Irish News. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
- ^ "Biography: Michael McGimpsey". Northern Ireland Assembly. Archived from the original on 18 February 2010. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
- ^ "Catherine Jean Milligan". Santabanta.com. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ Johnston, Neil (4 July 2008). "TV Interview: Early riser". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ Hailes, Anne (28 October 2013). "Remembering Ottilie's life lived in music". Irish News. Retrieved 26 January 2021.