St Louise's Comprehensive College
St. Louise's Comprehensive College (Irish: Colaiste Naoimh Labhaoise) is a comprehensive high school located in the Upper Falls Road, Belfast.
St. Louise's Comprehensive College, Belfast Coláiste Naoimh Labhaoise, Béal Feirste | |
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Location | |
468 Falls Road, Belfast, BT12 6EN | |
Information | |
Type | Comprehensive School |
Religious affiliation(s) | Roman Catholic |
Established | 1958 |
Local authority | Education Authority (Belfast) |
Principal | Mary McHenry |
Age | 11 to 18 |
Enrolment | 1500 (approx.) |
Colour(s) | |
Website | St. Louise's Comprehensive College |
History
St. Louise's was established in 1958. The religious order the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul was asked by the Catholic Church to take responsibility for this school. Shortly afterwards Sister Genevieve (Mary) O'Farrell was appointed Principal, a position she held for the next 25 years. Under her tenure the school grew in size from 1,000 to 2,400 students becoming the largest single-sex school in Europe.[1] In 2019/20 school year it has begun to accept boys as well as girls.
Academics
St. Louise's offers instruction in a wide range of subjects.[2] It offers technical and vocational courses alongside a large suite of academic subjects.
In 2006 it was recognised as one of the first Specialist Colleges in North of Ireland with particular expertise in Performing Arts and Media.
In 2013 it was ranked the top, non-selective school in North of Ireland at 5A* - C and has been the highest performing Belfast school for several years in a row.
At ‘A’Level, its value added scores have placed it in the top ten percent of schools across Britain and North of Ireland for several years in succession. 75.5% of its students who sat the A-level exams were awarded three A*-C grades.[3] It is one of the few schools in Northern Ireland which has City and Guilds affiliation.
Notable alumni
- Emma Jordan - actor and theatre director[4]
- Brenda Murphy - playwright [5]
- Mary O'Hara - journalist and writer [6]
- Anthony Boyle - actor [7]
- Bronagh Taggart - actor and writer [8]
- Geraldine Hughes - actor
References
- "'She was the only man on the Falls Road'". Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- "St. Louise's Comprehensive College, Belfast". Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- "Belfast Telegraph A-Level: North of Ireland School League Tables 2019". Retrieved 21 March 2019.
- "Emma Jordan". Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- "Brenda Murphy". Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- "Mary O'Hara". Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- "Anthony Boyle: Belfast actor enjoying rave reviews in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child". Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- "Radio review: Bronagh Taggart on catching the acting bug". Retrieved 7 March 2020.