In 1608, James I made an order in Privy Council establishing six Royal Schools in Ulster of which Dungannon became, in 1614, the first to admit pupils. In 1983, plans were first drawn up to incorporate the neighbouring girls’ grammar school and to use both campuses’ excellent facilities for co-educational purposes. This development came to fruition in 1986. A £9 million building and refurbishment programme began in 2000 and was completed in 2003, providing very high-tech specialist accommodation in science, technology and IT. In 2007, an international standard Astroturf hockey pitch was completed with flood lighting and four new all-weather tennis courts were opened. Annual investment by Governors in the school’s infrastructure has continued allowing RSD staff and pupils to enjoy excellent facilities.
For nearly four centuries the Royal School has aimed at providing an education which enables its pupils to achieve the highest possible standards of academic excellence and at developing each pupil into a mature, well-balanced and responsible adult, well-equipped for the demands of a highly complex and technological world.
There are four Houses which foster the competitive instincts and idiosyncrasies of young people. Pastorally, each year is supervised by a Head of Year who guides his/her pupils throughout the child’s career in a caring school environment.
The Boarding Department provides accommodation for 54 Boarders with the Girls and Boys housed in separate wings of the modernised Old School building dating from 1789. The recently refurbished facilities include a new kitchen/dining area, recreation area with flat screen TV and games console, new furniture in all dormitories and fully regulated wireless internet throughout. There are a number of staff who assist in the Boarding Department, including a Head of Boarding, a team of seven resident teaching staff, a team of five day and evening matrons, and a large number of support staff. These staff all work together to ensure that high standards of care and support are maintained. The School is also serviced by a team of local doctors and dentists who support the Boarders. A major hospital is less than 30 minutes from the campus.
The extensive buildings are a mixture of ancient and modern, with recently opened technology and science accommodation. Eight well-equipped Science Laboratories, Audio/Visual Room, two Libraries, Sixth Form Centre and Study Rooms, Technology, two Music and Art Studios and two Information Technology Suites are supplemented by a Boarding Department housed in well-appointed accommodation which has been completely renovated in recent times. Boarders are able to make use of a wide range of facilities such as Sports Hall, Computer Laboratory, Multi-gym, Badminton Courts, Television Lounges, satellite TV, high-speed broadband (including Skype) and nearby facilities such as the local swimming pool and extensive parkland walks. Situated in its own spacious grounds in a quiet residential area of this rural town, the School is linked directly by motorway to Belfast (40 minutes), two airports, cross-Channel ferries and railway stations.
The establishment of good study skills and practices is considered to be of crucial importance. The size of the School ensures that no child is overlooked in any way.
At A level new subjects are offered such as Economics and, in collaboration with partner schools, Media Studies, Politics, Psychology and Business Studies.
Pupils are prepared for GCSE and A levels under all the major UK Examination Boards and there is a tradition of Oxbridge successes as well as a high rate of entry to the University of Ulster, Queen’s University Belfast and other leading British Universities. In most years around 95% of the Upper Sixth Form proceed to Higher Education. The School’s overseas students typically choose to enrol both at UK universities and universities in their home country.
Many co-curricular pursuits are encouraged during lunchtime or after school, such as Choir, Orchestra, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, Chess, Charities, Debating, Public Speaking and many more.
Alongside the School’s academic achievements in both Arts and Sciences may be placed its record in the sporting world: in Rugby, Hockey, Cricket, Badminton, Shooting, Table Tennis and Tennis.
Fees per annum (2024-2025). Day: £175. 7-Day Boarding: £14,100 (UK Passport holder). 7 days a week (EU passport holder): £19,725 – the tuition fee to EU citizens of £5,625 per annum is not currently chargeable until such times as the local government in Northern Ireland enacts Brexit legislation. In the current situation, EU tuition remains free, however, this may change at a later stage. 7-Day Boarding including Tuition: £24,900 (non-UK/non-EU citizens). 5-Day Boarding: £9,450 (UK Passport holder).
Charitable status. The Royal School Dungannon is a Registered Charity, number XN46588 A. It was established by Royal Charter in 1608 for the purpose of education.
Governors & Staff:
Board of Governors:
Chairman: Dr P G Steen, PhD, BSc, CPhys, MInstP
Vice Chairman: Dr G Walsh, BEd, PhD, ALCH, FHEA
Members:
Mrs J Anderson, BA Hons, MCIPD
D N Browne, MIB, MIMgt
R J Clingan, BSc, MEd, PGCE, PQH NI
J C M Eddie
Mrs R Emerson, BSc, CSP
G Ferry, BSc
Dr J M Hagan, MB, BCh, BAO, BSc Hons, PgDip, PgCert
Mrs R Hampton, BSc, CSP
Mrs C L Kerr, BA, MEd, PGCE
Mrs G Leonard
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass, PC
Dr L Maguire, BDS, LLM
Dr D Maguire, BDS
Mrs L McDonald
N H McLean, LLB, MBA
R B K McLean, MRICS
Mrs E Patterson, BA, MSSC, Dip IT
R F Patton, LLB
Mrs K Rainey, BA Hons, MSc, ACMA, CGMA
D Thompson, BEd, DipASEd, PQH (NI)
Mrs J Williamson, BA, MSc, PGCE, CPsychol AEP, HPCP
J G Willis LLB
J W Willis, BEd
Secretary to the Governors: The Headmaster
Headmaster: Dr D A Burnett, BA, PhD, NPQH
Teaching Staff:
* Head of Department
¹ Head of Year
² Head of House
Deputy Head: R J Clingan, BSc, MEd, PGCE, PQH NI
Senior Teacher: *G R Black, BSc, PGCE
Senior Teacher: *Miss A E Chestnutt, BSc, MEd, PGCE
Senior Teacher: Mrs C L Kerr, BA, MEd, PGCE
Head of Boarding: Miss S Winslow, BDes
Assistant Head of Boarding: Miss K Stewart,
Miss A B Anderson (English, Careers)
Mrs R A Arneill (RE, Literacy Support, OCN)
Mrs A Best (Art & Design, RE)
G R Black (Mathematics)
N J Canning (Design & Technology)
R E Chambers (Biology, Chemistry, Life & Health Sciences)
Mrs W Chambers (Physics, Mathematics)
Miss A E Chestnutt (Biology, Careers)
Miss K L Clarke (Music, English, RE, Drama, LLW)
S J Cuddy (Music, Drama)
A J Ferguson (PE, ICT, Careers)
Mrs A R Gilkinson (Physics, Mathematics, Life & Health Sciences)
R J Graham (English)
Mrs R L Hampton (Chemistry, Life & Health Sciences)
Mrs S J Jackson (English, Drama)
Mrs C L Kerr (French, English, Careers)
P S Kerr (History)
G S R Lucas (Chemistry, Biology)
Mrs P L Matthews (RE, Careers, OCN)
Miss D McCombe (Physics, Mathematics, Life & Health Sciences)
Mrs C E McCormick (Spanish, French, RE, Food Technology)
Mrs S J McCullough (History, RE)
M D McDowell (English, Drama)
G M McLoughlin (ICT, Computer Science, Mathematics)
Mrs S J McGrath (PE, ICT)
Mrs L McGurk (Chemistry, Biology)
Mrs C S Montgomery (Biology)
Miss H Montgomery (Geography, Careers)
P G Moore (French, Spanish)
Mrs N G Peden (Business Studies, ICT)
A S Ritchie (Mathematics)
Mrs L M Shaw (Art & Design, History, RE, ICT)
Mrs A V Simpson (Food Technology, Health & Social Care)
Mrs E V Stitt (French, Spanish, Food Technology, RE)
Mrs A R Straghan (Economics, Geography, Business Studies, RE, ICT, Careers)
Mrs V I Trouton (Food Technology, Health & Social Care)
A T Turner (Geography, RE)
G T Watterson (Mathematics, ICT)
J W Willis (Design & Technology, ICT)
I A Wilson (Mathematics)
Chaplain: Vacant
Administrative Staff:
Bursar: Mr D Wheeler, BSc Econ, FCA
Headmaster’s Secretary: Mrs L Martin
Data Secretary: Mrs E Patterson
Matrons:
Mrs J Byrne, BSC, PGDip, SRN (Day)
Mrs C Saygi (Evening)
Mrs J Caddoo (Evening)
Ms M Campbell (Evening)