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Friends’ School Lisburn Prospectus 2025

Welcome

Friends’ School, established in 1774 by the Religious Society of Friends, is a thriving school of 1060 pupils set in mature and extensive grounds in the heart of Lisburn. This academic year marks our 250th anniversary, so there has never been a more exciting time to be part of the school.

Although the last two and a half centuries have witnessed enormous change, the school can trace its distinctive character and values back to its foundation by the Religious Society of Friends. The only Quaker school in Northern Ireland, Friends’ welcomes pupils from a diversity of backgrounds, and values the unique contribution of each one.

As well as having a rich history, the school also enjoys modern facilities, allowing pupils to embrace the best of the old and the new. During their time at Friends’, pupils are given the opportunity to grow and flourish personally and intellectually in a supportive, caring and stimulating environment. They are encouraged to develop a love of learning and nurture the values that will allow them not only to achieve their academic potential but also to lead fulfilling lives.

As active members of our school community, pupils can avail of a wide range of opportunities both in the classroom and beyond. By learning to value themselves and others, our hope is that they will develop a deep- rooted sense of service that will enrich the communities in which
they live.

We hope you enjoy finding out more about Friends’ and that you will also take opportunity to visit us, speak to pupils and staff, and experience for yourself what the school has to offer.

Stephen Moore
Principal

A Rich History

Formerly known as the Ulster Provincial School, Friends’ derives its name from the Religious Society of Friends, who founded a boarding school for thirty boys and girls here on Prospect Hill in 1774. One of the oldest Quaker schools in the world, it enjoys close links with the other eight Quaker schools in Britain and Ireland, as well as with other Friends’ schools further afield, including Brummana High School in Lebanon.

The school still stands on the site it has occupied since its foundation and welcomes pupils from across community in Lisburn and the surrounding area. Our oldest building, the red brick Middle House at the front of school, dates from 1880, and was refurbished in 2015.

Recent development has transformed the school estate: two floodlit hockey pitches were installed in 2013; a new Maths and Music block was opened in 2016; and this year, to mark our anniversary, we opened a new performance space and a legacy trail.

In March 2023, it was announced that the school has been awarded funding by the Department of Education which will allow the school to embark on a substantial building project over the next few years.

The Chair of the Board of Governors and the Principal report to the Ulster Quarterly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends. The Board of Governors includes eight representatives of Ulster Friends, who work alongside six nominees from the Department of Education, two elected parent governors and two elected teacher governors.

FSL 250

Celebrating our 250th anniversary this year has provided us with an opportunity to reconnect with people and has given us a fresh appreciation of the legacy left to us by previous generations.

Events to mark the anniversary have included a 250-mile cycle from Kendal, the birthplace of the school’s first headmaster, John Gough; a Meeting for Worship organised by local Quakers; a family festival and a festival of sport; and a Christmas market and musical evening. Later in the year, we hope to stage a concert in the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, organise a Peace Conference for pupils from a range of schools, and host a gala dinner.

A new coffee table book traces the school’s journey over the last 250 years in the context of the history of the Lisburn area, and a new painting by local artist and Old Scholar Aly Harte captures the vibrancy of a day in the life of Friends’ School.

We also raised funds to create three unique legacy projects which are designed to make the most of our wonderful outdoor spaces and to enhance the mental and physical wellbeing of pupils at Friends’. Our legacy trail around the perimeter of the school grounds and our outdoor performance space, the 1774 Pavilion, provide recreational opportunities, and allow pupils to showcase their talents in music and drama. Pupils from the Prep can also enjoy the tranquillity of the Guess How Much I Love You Garden, inspired by the much-loved children’s book by Old Scholar Sam McBratney.