Limavady Grammar School

Infobox UK school
name = Limavady Grammar School


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motto = "Vita, Veritas, Victoria""Life, Truth Victory"
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established = 1957 (present site)
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closed =
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type = grammar school
religion = Mixed
president =
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head = Dr. S J McGuinness DPhil BSc MBA DASE
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street = Ballyquin Road
city = Limavady
county = Co. Londonderry
country = United Kingdom
postcode = BT49 9ET
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ofsted =
staff = 52
enrollment = 910
gender = Co-educational
lower_age = 11
upper_age = 18
houses = Benbradagh, Benevenagh, Loughermore, Mullaghmore
colours = Royal Blue, Navy
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website = http://www.limavadygrammar.org.uk
website_name = Limavady Grammar School

Limavady Grammar School is a secondary school in Limavady, County Londonderry in Northern Ireland. It is a mixed non-denominational grammar school. Situated on the Ballyquin Road, it is not far away from other schools in the town, including the secondary schools Limavady High School and St. Mary's High School. The school was placed 3rd in "The Times" school league table for the UK, [ [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/displayPopup/0,,115677,00.html The Times Top Schools for GCSE] ] which is based on GCSE results. The mission statement is "Learning, Caring, Preparing for Life"

History

The origins of Limavady Grammar School can be traced back to a late nineteenth century foundation. [ [http://www.limavadygrammar.org.uk/why2.htm Limavady Grammar School history] ] In 1957, the school moved to the present site on Ballyquin Road. A major extension took place in 1982 when new Science labs and a Sports Hall were built. A second extension comprising twenty-two classrooms including three Information Technology rooms was completed in 1998. It has won several awards such as Best Kept School in the North West of Northern Ireland. [http://www.niacbestkept.com/winners.asp?editmode=64 NIAC Best Kept Awards 2006]

Sports

Rugby

Rugby is the main boys sport at the school. The school usually has two teams at each age level from U12 to Medallion level, with a 1st XV, a 2nd XV and a 3rd XV at senior school. The Medallion XV are coached by Stephen Bogle with the 1st XV coached by Stephen Barr and Ian Gallagher. The school have had many players who have represented the province at underage level. Out Half Niall O'Connor represented both Ireland U19 and Ireland U20 in 2007 and is a member of the Ulster Rugby Academy based at Jordanstown. The biggest honour goes to past pupil Derek McAleese who gained one cap for Ireland against France in 1992 and played many times for Ulster. Most of the students go on to play rugby for Limavady Rugby Club who play in the Kukri Qualifying League.

The school teams have been on many tours, mostly to South Africa, Scotland, Rep. of Ireland, England and Canada with the school planning another tour to South Africa in 2009. The school takes part in the Northern Bank Medallion Shield competition and in the Northern Bank Schools Cup for 1st XV. The school also takes part in the 2nd XV and 3rd XV cups.

Astroturf pitch

On 14 September 2007, Limavady Grammar School opened its new synthetic astroturf sports pitch. It was opened by the Mayor of Limavady, Cllr. Edwin Stevenson and Minister for Sport, Edwin Poots MLA. The pitch was funded by the Big Lottery Fund, which awarded £585,000 and Limavady Borough Council, which donated £50,000. The pitch is available for use by schools in Limavady and the surrounding area and various clubs and associations, day and evening. [ [http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-dcal/news-dcal-140907-new-shared-synthetic.htm Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure news article about the new Astroturf pitch] ]

Gaelic Football controversy

In May 2008 the school was involved in a controversy over the provision of Gaelic football when the Gaelic Athletic Association claimed a training session arranged at the school was cancelled after objections from parents and teachers. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7401104.stm School's gaelic plan kicked out] ] . This led the SDLP MLA John Dallat to refer the matter to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/foyle_and_west/7481727.stm] ] On 2 June 2008, the school principal, Dr. Sam McGuinness, claimed he knew nothing about the meeting, but said that Gaelic Games would be made available throughout the Roe Valley learning association in September 2008 this is only an option for senior pupils in Limavady Grammar meaning that its for 6th form only.Also people who are involved in such sport such as football rugby and hockey cannot take part . [ [http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/article3758394.ece?service=print Principal hits back in GAA row] ]

Extra curricular

Duke of Edinburgh Award

The School operates the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Due to high demand, Limavady Grammar is allowed to omit the Bronze Award. Year 11 pupils start their course at Silver Award. The award is very popular and successful at the school. The teacher-in-charge is Stephen Bogle.

Technology in the school

In 2005, the school installed a plasma screen, which displays information regarding current school activities. Since 2007, classrooms were fitted with Smartboards, with board, projector and computer. The school uses the C2k network, running C2k-managed Windows XP PCs suplied by RM plc and Dell. At the start of the 2008-2009 Academic year, Dell laptops were available for student and teacher use.

External links

* [http://www.limavadygrammar.org.uk Limavady Grammar School]
* [http://www.limavady.gov.uk Limavady Borough Council]

References