The Royal Belfast Academical Institution

The Royal Belfast Academical Institution is an academically selective School for boys aged 11-18.  The foundation stone of RBAI was laid in 1810 by George Augustus Chichester, 2nd Marquis of Donegall, and RBAI was formally opened on 1st February 1814.  The School has grown and developed to become one of the leading Grammar Schools in the United Kingdom, with over 1000 pupils in the Main School and around 200 in the Preparatory Department, Inchmarlo.

 At RBAI we provide a broad, balanced and progressive curriculum, throughout the School.  The Revised KS3 Curriculum is embedded into departments and through cross curricular initiatives, with the Learning for Life and Work programme providing an excellent pastoral foundation for academic achievement.  GCSEs are offered in a variety of subjects beyond the National Curriculum, including Computer Science/ICT, PE, Business Studies, Media Studies, Astronomy, Latin and Greek. At A-Level pupils will take 3 or 4 A Levels or BTEC equivalents.

 Our priority is to value the individual and develop the whole person through an evidence-based well-being programme.  There are opportunities for every boy to explore his strengths, and to develop effective interpersonal and teamwork skills.  The range of extra-curricular opportunities is superb and all the boys are encouraged to use their time positively in extra-curricular activities, and to develop into responsible and caring people.  High level Music and Drama productions are organised regularly.  Our fixtures list for sport is extensive with significant National and International successes in Rugby, Hockey, Cricket, Water Polo, Swimming, Athletics, Rowing, Table Tennis, Badminton, Cross Country and Fencing.  The Combined Cadet Force has been awarded the Annual Event Challenge Trophy 18 years out of the past 21 years, which is a tremendous honour and achievement.  There are daily lunchtime and after School clubs, with boys participating in societies ranging from Debating and Public Speaking, to Chess, Astronomy and Scouts.  There are also School trips within Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom and overseas expeditions; further details are available on the School website, www.rbai.org.uk.

 Pastoral support is provided by the form teacher and, where appropriate will involve one of the 6 Housemasters who have responsibility for each of the Houses, to which all boys are allocated.  The House system provides an excellent structure for boys to get to know each other and to participate in positive inter-house competitions, fostering excellent inter-personal skills and personal development.

 The School occupies an impressive 8-acre site in the centre of Belfast, with modern and specialised facilities.  In recent years there has been extensive renovation and refurbishment and the School is extensively equipped with iPads, interactive white boards and Mac computers.  In addition to the Main School, the sport facilities at Osborne, Bladon and Shaw’s Bridge are amongst the best in the UK, with an International cricket square and synthetic water-based hockey pitch. 

 RBAI has a well-deserved reputation for excellence in academic and extra-curricular areas of School life.  We are committed to giving each boy the opportunities to make the most of his abilities, resources and time, and to gain as complete an education as possible.