Antrim Grammar School: Difference between revisions

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{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}

{{Wikify|November 2006}}

{{Infobox school

{{Infobox_University

| name = Antrim Grammar School

| native_name =

|image = [[Image:AGSQUAD.JPG|250px]]

| other_name = AGS

|motto = Educating for Life

|established image = 1974 =

| image_size =

|city = [[Antrim, County Antrim|Antrim]]

| caption = School Crest

|country = [[Northern Ireland]]

| motto = "Educating for Life"

|students = 750

| established = 1974

|type = [[Grammar school]]

| type = [[Grammar School]]

|address = Steeple Road, [[Antrim]], [[Northern Ireland]], BT41 1AF.

| chairman = Roger McCune MBE

|website = [http://www.antrimgrammar.org www.antrimgrammar.org]

| principal = Martin Wilson

| students = 820

| address = 10 Steeple Road

| postcode = BT41 1AF

| city = [[Antrim, County Antrim|Antrim]]

| country = Northern Ireland

| coordinates = {{coord|54.723|-6.212|display=inline,title|region:GB_scale:5000}}

| website = {{url|www.antrimgrammar.org}}

| age_range = 11-18

| colours = Navy/ gold

{{colour box|navy}} {{colour box|gold}}

}}

'''Antrim Grammar School''' is thea youngestco-educational [[grammar school]] in [[Northern Ireland]]. It is situated in [[County Antrim]]., It is withinin the [[North Eastern Education and Library Board|North Eastern Region]] (NEELB)of areathe [[Education Authority]]. It is renownedmore forcommonly beingknown oneby oflocals theas most"AGS". academicallyIt successfulhas two neighbouring schools, in[[Parkhall theCollege|Parkhall province,Integrated evenCollege]] forand itsthe youngSteeple age.Nursery School.

== History and performance ==

Antrim Grammar School was founded in 1974 to address the growing need for a highlysecondary skilledschool labourforcedue into thean onceincreasing thrivingpopulation in the Antrim area.

It has long been one of the top grammar schools in Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom. In 2019, the school achieved its highest ever A-level results, an improvement on the previous year's, which were also record breaking.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Antrim Grammar School - Record Breaking A Level Results!|url=https://www.antrimgrammar.org/News/Record-Breaking-A-Level-Results/|access-date=2019-09-12|website=www.antrimgrammar.org}}</ref>

==Other==

In 2006, its [[Sixth form|Upper-Sixth]] class achieved a 100% pass-rate at [[A-levels]]. This was one of its most profound years, with the school topping the Northern Ireland average (72%), The UK national average (63%), with an astounding 95%, one of the highest in the whole of the UK.

In 2020, the ''[[The Sunday Times|Sunday Times]]'' placed Antrim Grammar in the Top 20 Schools in Northern Ireland for GCSE and A level examination success. 98% of GCSE students achieved 7 or more A*-C grades, including English and Mathematics and 92% of A level students achieved 3 A*-C grades.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.antrimgrammar.org/|title=Antrim Grammar School - Home|website=www.antrimgrammar.org|access-date=2019-09-12}}</ref>

The school recently won the International School of the year award, presented to only 4 schools in Northern Ireland. This award was presented to the school for their continuing work home, and over seas. They regularly have Language Weeks in school where various pupils from numerous cultures teach the rest of the pupils their chosen language. They also have many trips abroad, including a trip to [[Bolivia]], [[Rome]], [[France]], and [[Germany]], among many others. It is with this work, and its continuation that helped secure Antrim Grammar the International School of the year award.

==Principals==

In September 2001, after several years of planning and preparation, a £7.5 million refurbishment and rebuilding programme commenced at Antrim Grammar School. The program was completed in January 2004. There were several phases to the work undertaken by the [[North Eastern Education and Library Board|NEELB]], McCombe Brothers, Samuel Stevenson & Sons; and Williams & Shaw. Thanks to this upgrade, every department now has access to [[Interactive whiteboard|interactive whiteboards]] and [[Information and Communications Technology|ICT]] cluster areas, which make the learning experience a lot more enjoyable.

{| class="wikitable"

! No. !! Name !! Tenure

|-

| 1

| Stanley Spence

|1974–1989

|-

| 2

| Jim Hunniford

| 1989–2001

|-

| 3

| Janet Williamson

| 2001–2006

|-

| 4

| Stephen Black

| 2007–2014

|-

| 5

| Hilary Woods

| 2014–2017

|-

| 6

| Jenny Lendrum

| 2017–2022

|-

|7

|Martin Wilson

|2022-present

|}

== EthosInternational school ==

The school was accredited as an international school by the British Council.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalgateway.org.uk/pdf/Full%202006.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2007-03-12 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928151016/http://www.globalgateway.org.uk/pdf/Full%202006.pdf |archivedate=2007-09-28 }}</ref> Four schools in Northern Ireland were accredited in 2006; other NI schools had already been accredited over the previous several years. This award is presented to schools for their work in promoting international awareness among students and staff. Previously the school has won numerous awards including the CICA award in 1994.

The school regularly has Language Weeks where pupils from various cultures teach the rest of the pupils their chosen language. They also take many trips, including school visits to America, Iceland, Rome, Paris, Poland, Bolivia, Italy, France and South Africa. This work and its continuation helped to secure Antrim Grammar International School accreditation.

The school has a number of values and aims it intends to uphold;

== Modernisation ==

* All pupils will be offered the best education possible, regardless of their sex, race, culture, or religion.

[[Image:AGSQUAD.JPG|thumb|left|Antrim Grammar School's quad area with the Sports Centre in the background]]

In September 2001, after several years of planning and preparation, a £7.5 million refurbishment and rebuilding programme commenced at Antrim Grammar School. The programme was completed in January 2004. There were several phases to the work undertaken by the [[North Eastern Education and Library Board|NEELB]], McCombe Brothers, Samuel Stevenson & Sons; and Williams & Shaw. After completion, every department now has access to [[Interactive whiteboard]]s and [[Information Technology]] cluster areas.

The school now has a new multi-purpose [[Learning Resource Centre]], with its computing and [[library]] facilities. The school also received a new lecture theatre.

* A wide range of educational opportunities will be provided to develop and enrich the whole person, including the academic, physical, social, cultural, aesthetic and spiritual dimensions of life.

In 2015, Parkhall College commenced construction on their new building and facilities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://michaelnugent.co.uk/2016/05/michael-nugent-secures-lucrative-school-contract/|title=Michael Nugent Secures Parkhall School Contract|last=|first=|date=2016|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> Mainly completed in 2018, this included new pitches and a new entrance to the schools.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ief.org.uk/2018/01/05/new-year-new-home-parkhall-integrated-college/|title=New year, new home for Parkhall Integrated College IEF|date=2018-01-05|website=Integrated Education Fund|language=en|access-date=2019-09-13}}</ref> This affected Antrim Grammar and has made traffic in the school more organised, as well as providing a new car park for teachers and pupils. Antrim Grammar also shares joint access to some of the pitches. However, over the 2019/20 academic year, Antrim Grammar and Parkhall have two new multi-purpose pitches, situated on the site of the old Parkhall school.

* Every pupil will be educated in a safe and caring environment, in which the emotional and social needs of each pupil are considered.

In January 2021, Antrim Grammar confirmed the completion of three new modular classrooms which were built to accommodate the increased demand for places at the school. Other refurbishments completed were the renovation of the ICT suite.

* All members of the school community will be appreciated and valued in their own right.

==Notable alumni==

Educating for life (valuing learning):

{{alumni|date=May 2024}}

{{see also|Category:People educated at Antrim Grammar School}}

*[[Mark Allen (snooker player)|Mark Allen]], professional snooker player, world rank no.1.

*[[Joely Andrews]], member of the [[Northern Ireland women's national football team|Northern Ireland Women's National Football Team.]]

*[[Wayne Boyd]], winner of the European Le Mans series title in Portugal.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Wayne Boyd bags Euro Le Mans title with final race win|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/motor-sport/wayne-boyd-bags-euro-le-mans-title-with-final-race-win-39694449.html|access-date=2021-01-23|issn=0307-1235}}</ref>

*[[Michael Lennox]], director of Channel 4 critically acclaimed comedy, [[Derry Girls]].

*[[Ricky Whittle]], English actor known for Hollyoaks and American Gods.

== References ==

* All pupils will be provided with an excellent grammar school education, with a strong emphasis on high academic standards.

{{reflist}}

*Janet Williamson, Head of AGS, 2004. [https://web.archive.org/web/20070311141943/http://domain713966.sites.fasthosts.com/The%20School/newfacilities.html "Rebuilding Programme"] [https://web.archive.org/web/20070311142145/http://domain713966.sites.fasthosts.com/The%20School/ethos.html "School Ethos"] [https://web.archive.org/web/20070311142126/http://domain713966.sites.fasthosts.com/The%20School/examresults.html Link to exam PDF results, and Prize day speech.]

{{Authority control}}

* As a modern grammar school, we will keep abreast of a changing world by providing selective vocational, technical, and practical courses, where these best suit our pupils’ needs.

[[Category:Grammar schools in County Antrim]]

* Pupils will be encouraged to develop skills and values, which will make them effective learners, and inquiring, thinking individuals who are prepared to take initiatives in life.

[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1974]]

[[Category:Antrim, County Antrim]]

* Pupils will be encouraged to follow, and will be provided with, a broad, balanced, coherent and relevant curriculum.

[[Category:People educated at Antrim Grammar School|*]]

* The habits of intellectual curiosity, reading, thinking, discussing, and problem-solving will be fostered to encourage lifelong learning.

Developing a sense of community (valuing others):

* Moral and ethical values will be fostered in individuals and within the school to create a desirable and necessary ethos for social integration and cohesion.

* Mutual respect and respect for others’ work and property will be required.

* Pupils will be encouraged to be committed, responsible and productive members of the school, and wider, communities.

* Pupils will be prepared to their full potential to lead fulfilled and purposeful lives as citizens.

==References==

*Jannet Williamson, Head of AGS, 2004. [http://domain713966.sites.fasthosts.com/The%20School/newfacilities.html "Rebuilding Programme"] [http://domain713966.sites.fasthosts.com/The%20School/ethos.html "School Ethos"] [http://domain713966.sites.fasthosts.com/The%20School/examresults.html Link to exam PDF results, and Prize day speech.]

[[Category:Grammar schools in Northern Ireland]]