St Columb's College

What the school says...

Founded in 1879, St. Columb's College, Derry's oldest and largest Catholic Grammar School, has a proud tradition of scholarship and the unique distinction in Ireland of being the alma mater of two Nobel Laureates (John Hume and Seamus Heaney). The College is located in the Pennyburn area of the City of Derry on a spacious campus comprising ultra-modern school buildings and 40 acres of superbly appointed grounds for games and recreation. The classrooms, laboratories, workshops and specialist rooms, all finished to a very high standard, are comfortable and exceptionally well-equipped. The College boasts a fully integrated communications network with the most up-to-date computing equipment.

The aim of St. Columb's is to enable its pupils to realise their full moral, social, intellectual, physical and aestheic potential. The College works towards increasing pupils' self-discipline and, above all, at deepening their Christian faith and affirming them in its practice. As a Catholic school, St. Columb's aims to bring pupils to an awareness that faith in Jesus Christ is the centre point of their personal and intellectual development. The Oratory, situated close to the entrance, is at the very heart of the College.

The College offers an extensive and varied curriculum. Twenty-one subjects are available for study to GCSE level and Sixth Form pupils can select A, AS and VCE courses from twenty-six subjects.

The school's pastoral system promotes a close working relationship and friendly personal contact between parents, pupils and teachers. A comprehensive programme of Personal and Social Education is delivered to all year groups. Curriculum enrichment courses in Lower Sixth are an integral part of Sixth Form education. All pupils participate in the careers education programme.

Sports facilities within the college grounds include soccer, gaelic and rugby pitches as well as tennis and basketball courts, athletics fields, a multi-gym and three halls for indoor games. A number of activities make use of facilities at local Leisure Complexes, Golf Courses and other venues. The College is proud of its strong tradition in music and drama and there are many activities and clubs in which pupils can develop personal interests and talents.

It is the firm policy of the school to maintain the best possible teacher/pupil ratio. It is planned to have not more than 22 pupils in Year 8 classes in the school-year 2003/2004. ...Read more

This is not currently a GSG-reviewed school.

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