The Royal School Dugannon is the oldest and one of the most famous Independent School in Ireland. Founded in 1608 by Charter of James I and opened in 1614, it has been educating some of the best academic pupils in the United Kingdom for over 380 years.
At present there are over 680 pupils including accommodation for about 50 boarders, now in finely renovated wings of the 1789 building. The School deliberately keeps its boarding places limited so that extra and individual attention may be given to the academic and personal needs of its students. Increasingly girls have been enrolling, some joining their brothers and cousins. The accommodation is of a high standard, with private cubicles, recreation rooms and study facilities. In this way all pupils feel part of a 'family' and enjoy the friendliness, as well as the close attention, which that system encourages.
A Staff consisting of some 40 highly qualified graduates encourages high academic standards through traditional teaching methods, discipline and structured learning processes.
Streaming according to ability begins in Form II and accelerated courses are offered in Mathematics, German, Computer Studies, Religious Education and Music, whilst all the traditional academic subjects are studied by all pupils.
Most pupils take three or four Advanced Levels, some of which are entered after one year in Form VI. Pupils may sit for scholarships to Oxford, Cambridge, Queen's University, Belfast, Trinity College, Dublin, and the University of Ulster. Over 84% gain admission annually to UK Universities.
Sport (rugby, cricket, hockey, tennis, athletics and shooting), drama, art and musical activities feature strongly in the life of the school. Every pupil is encouraged to contribute to this side of their development and passive spectating is discouraged. Information Technology, Design and Technology and Science are now housed in the most modern laboratories to be found in the UK and the pupils are encouraged to use all the facilities as much as possible.
Alumni - Edmund Curran (Editor, Belfast Telegraph); Paddy Johns and Alan Clarke (Irish Rugby Internationals); Ken Maginnis MP; Darren Clark (Professional Golfer).
