Regent House School

Regent House Grammar School
Location
Circular Road

Newtownards
,
Down
,
BT22 4QA

Northern Ireland
Information
TypeControlled grammar school
Preparatory School
Religious affiliation
Non-denominational
Established1924; 102 years ago (1924)
StatusOpen
Local authority
Education Authority
Principal
Mr Michael Carville
GenderCo-educational
Age4 to 18
Prep is 4-11, grammar school is 11-18
EnrolmentGrammar School
1486 (2024/25)
Prep Department
95 (2024/25)
CapacityGrammar School
1450
HousesCastlereagh
Clandeboye
Scrabo
Strangford
Colours   (Boys)
   (Girls)
School fees
Free
Websiteregenthouse.org.uk

Regent House School is a co-educational, controlled grammar school in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland. The school comprises two parts: the grammar school and the preparatory department. Its current enrollment is 1486 (2024/25) students within the grammar school and 95 (2024/25) within the prep department.

Regent House considers itself to be non-denominational, however, its current statistics show students at the school to be 57% Protestant, 7% Roman Catholic and 36% other.

The school is divided into four houses: Castlereagh, Clandeboye, Scrabo and Strangford.

Inspections

The school was inspected by the Controlled Schools' Support Council in 2015 and judged Satisfactory. In 2019 another inspection was carried out, but could not reach a judgement because of industrial action being taken by staff.

Music

In 2017 the school's choir won BBC Radio Ulster School Choir of the Year. In 2024 the chamber choir placed third in the UK in the Barnardos National Choral Competition.

Notable former pupils

Name Notability Ref
Jim Allister MP, leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV), former MLA
Nigel Carr Former British Lions rugby player
David Coulter Minister in the Church of Scotland, Chaplain General in the British Army
Holly Hamilton BBC journalist and presenter
Simon Hamilton Politician (Democratic Unionist Party), former MLA
Eddie Irvine Formula One driver
Phillip Matthews Former Ireland rugby union international
Maxine Mawhinney BBC newsreader
Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Blair "Paddy" Mayne DSO & 3 Bars Founding member of the SAS, former British Lions rugby player
Rhys McClenaghan Olympic gymnast, gold medalist for Ireland at the 2024 Summer Olympics
Michael McGimpsey Former Ulster Unionist Party politician, former MLA
Catherine Jean Milligan Former Miss Northern Ireland
Colin Murray Broadcaster
Ottilie Patterson Blues singer with the Chris Barber jazz band

References

  1. ↑ "Our School — Regent House School". www.regenthouse.org.uk. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  2. ↑ "Regent House School Improving educational outcomes through staff development and evaluation strategies" (PDF). Controlled Schools’ Support Council. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  3. ↑ "Regent House School, Newtownards, County Down Report of a Sustaining Improvement Inspection (Involving Action Short of Strike) in December 2019" (PDF). ETINI. Education and Training Inspectorate. 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  4. ↑ "Regent House School named Northern Ireland's top senior school choir". Controlled Schools Support Council. 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  5. ↑ "Where are they now? Nigel Carr (Belfast 27/7/59)". Irish Independent. 18 January 2006. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  6. ↑ "COULTER, Rev. Dr David George". Who's Who 2016. Oxford University Press. November 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  7. ↑ McNeilly, Claire (26 November 2020). "Joy for BBC couple Holly Hamilton and Connor Phillips with baby on the way". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  8. ↑ Black, Rebecca (26 December 2014). "Finance Minister Simon Hamilton's old college Regent House slams cuts". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  9. 1 2 "Autumn highlights from BBC Northern Ireland" (Press release). BBC. 26 August 2009. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  10. ↑ "Where are they now? Philip Matthews (Gloucester 21/1/60)". Irish Independent. 18 January 2006. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  11. ↑ Bell, Gail (6 September 2017). "Maxine Mawhinney: I'll wander round the garden in my dressing gown and wellies". The Irish News. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  12. ↑ "Biography: Michael McGimpsey". Northern Ireland Assembly. Archived from the original on 18 February 2010. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  13. ↑ "Catherine Jean Milligan". Santabanta.com. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  14. ↑ Johnston, Neil (4 July 2008). "TV Interview: Early riser". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  15. ↑ Hailes, Anne (28 October 2013). "Remembering Ottilie's life lived in music". Irish News. Retrieved 26 January 2021.

54°35′24″N 5°42′14″W / 54.590°N 5.704°W / 54.590; -5.704