St Patrick's College, Banbridge
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox school
| name = St. Patrick's College
| image =
| image_size =
| motto = Excellence through Partnership
| established = 1958
| closed =
| type =
| religious_affiliation = Catholic
| president =
| head_label = Principal
| head = Roisin Woods
| founder =
| specialists =
| address = Scarva Road
| city = Banbridge
| county = County Down
| country = Northern Ireland
| postcode = BT32 3AS
| local_authority = Education Authority (Southern)
| ofsted =
| staff = 60
| gender = Mixed
| lower_age = 11
| upper_age = 18
| houses =
| colours = {{color box|Navy}}{{color box|skyBlue}}
| publication =
| website = https://www.stpatrickscollegebanbridge.com/
}}
St Patrick's College (Irish: Coláiste Phádraig Droichead na Banna) is a Catholic maintained secondary school located in Banbridge, County Down, Northern Ireland.
History
The foundation stone for St. Patrick's Intermediate School was laid on 1 May 1957 by Bishop O'Doherty and the school received its first pupils in September 1958. Its name was changed to St. Patrick's High School in 1972 as a result of the raising of the school-leaving age. It was again changed to St. Patrick's College to reflect the increased numbers of students staying on to complete their GCSE A-Levels.{{cite web |title=School History |url=https://www.stpatrickscollegebanbridge.com/school-history |publisher=St. Patrick's College |access-date=8 May 2023}}
Facilities
In October 2020, a full-size 3G GAA pitch with floodlights and changing rooms wasadded to the school's sporting facilities.{{cite web |title=ST.PATRICK'S COLLEGE BANBRIDGE INSTALLS SISTURF PITCH |url=https://www.sispitches.com/ie/case_study/st-patricks-college-banbridge/ |publisher=SIS Pitches |access-date=8 May 2023}} This was funded by a grant of £1.5 million from several agencies including Peace4Youth,{{cite web |title=Peace4Youth |url=https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/articles/peace4youth |publisher=NI Department of the Economy |date=3 March 2020 |access-date=24 July 2021}} the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon District Council and Sport Northern Ireland.{{cite web |title=Prospectus |url=https://009a8864-80d9-438b-83a2-77ffaa1043a9.filesusr.com/ugd/024943_aed226fbed4042bdb42b76da0fdde044.pdf |publisher=St. Patrick's College |access-date=8 May 2023}}
Academics
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The full range of subjects is offered. At GCSE A-level, students can choose from geography, art, biology, technology and design, English literature, psychology, drama and theatre studies, software systems and development, chemistry, agriculture, history, journalism, physics, government and politics, and religious studies. They can also take a BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in information technology, engineering, childcare, performing arts, public services, media and sport.
The college has been previously named best performing non-selective school in County Down. It has also been listed as among the top ten non-grammar schools in Northern Ireland.{{cite news |title=Every one of Northern Ireland's top five schools is a Catholic grammar |author=Lindsay Fergus |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=31 March 2014 |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/every-one-of-northern-irelands-top-five-schools-is-a-catholic-grammar-30140937.html |access-date=8 May 2023}}
Shared education
The college works in partnership with the neighbouring Banbridge High School to offer a number of shared activities as part of the curriculum.{{cite web |title=Shared education |url=https://www.stpatrickscollegebanbridge.com/shared-education |publisher=St. Patrick's College |access-date=8 May 2023}} It is also part of the Banbridge Area Learning Community co-ordinated by the Southern Regional College.{{cite web |title=Banbridge Learning Community |url=https://www.src.ac.uk/school-partnerships/area-learning-communities?lang=en |publisher=Southern Regional College |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721195035/https://www.src.ac.uk/school-partnerships/area-learning-communities?lang=en |archivedate=21 July 2021 |access-date=8 May 2023}}
Extra-curricular
The college offers the opportunity to participate in various sporting activities including swimming, netball, Gaelic football (boys and girls), camogie, hurling, rugby, basketball, dance,and athletics. The college has an active music programme including opportunities for singing and musical instruments.{{cite web |title=Extra-Curricular |url=https://www.stpatrickscollegebanbridge.com/extra-curricular |publisher=St. Patrick's College |access-date=8 May 2023}}
Awards
In 2020, the college was awarded Intermediate level of the British Council's International School Award in recognition of its work to bring the world into the classroom.{{cite web |title=British Council International School Award Success |url=https://www.stpatrickscollege.org.uk/british-council-international-school-award-success/ |publisher=St. Patrick's College |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721200523/https://www.stpatrickscollege.org.uk/british-council-international-school-award-success/|archivedate=21 July 2021 |access-date=8 May 2023}}
See also
References
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Category:1958 establishments in Northern Ireland
Category:Educational institutions established in 1958
Category:Secondary schools in County Down