Royal School, Armagh

The original mission of the school was a simple strap-line: “For the encrease of learninge and good manners”. This school has always therefore seen education in its widest possible sense. The way pupils “are” in inverted commas, has always been held to be as important as the certificates they achieve.

In the last century, a tourist from the United States visited the famous Polish rabbi (Jewish teacher), Hofetz Chaim. He was astonished to see that the rabbi’s home was only a simple room filled with books. The only furniture was a table and a bench.

 
"Rabbi, where is your furniture?" asked the tourist. "Where is yours?" replied Hofetz. "Mine? But I’m only a visitor here. I’m only passing through," said the American. "So am I," said the rabbi.

“Indeed, we’re all mere pilgrims in this world. We’re only passing through.”

Just exactly how we “pass through” life, as well as what we may achieve in the classroom, strikes at the very core of our mission . “For the Encrease of learninge and good manners”. The Book of Life is as important as the books in the classroom. The nature of relationships between staff and pupils; the number and quality of experiences offered outside the classroom as well as in it are, therefore, of intense interest to us in the purposeful pursuit of our mission.

Quality experiences make for what I would call “a constructive business” which in turn nurtures a wholesome self-confidence, self-esteem and ultimately “character”.

(Excerpt from the Headmaster’s Address at the Annual Prize-Giving)

Thank you for visiting our website! A choice of school is one of the most critical decisions a parent can make. In doing so, you are looking for a trustworthy and reliable partner who will help develop your child to flourish and be the very best he or she can be. 400 years of successful experience - during which time, the Royal has remained at the leading edge of whole-person education - provides strong reason for me to urge you to come along and sample the “distinctive ethos” (Inspection Report) appreciated by generations of students.

Whilst, in the best traditions of Northern Ireland Voluntary Grammar Schools (see UK League Tables and the Sunday Times “Hot Schools” listings), the school boasts outstanding academic results, our mission concerns itself with very much more than the academic. A thriving extra-curricular programme is used to build confidence, self-esteem and an emotional intelligence, without which, academic results would not become the proper passports they should be to succeeding in the modern world. The school’s Boarding Department is superb value. Welcoming, as it does, students from overseas, and providing a wonderful “home from home”, it is always over-subscribed and adds a cherished international dimension to the daily life of the school. Why not come along and sample the atmosphere for yourself by either attending one of our Open Evenings or by making an appointment to visit the school on another occasion? I would be delighted to share with you the school’s achievements and to help you make such a huge decision.

  Paul Crute

Headmaster