Welcome to Belfast Royal Academy

Belfast Royal Academy is the oldest school in the city and was founded by Rev Dr James Crombie in 1785 as Belfast Academy, in Academy Street. Dr Crombie was clearly a man of vision who set the ambitious target of establishing a new school “..to provide an education of high standard”. For over 230 years, the school has remained true to this principle of its founding father and continues to enjoy a reputation of academic excellence alongside notable sporting and music achievements. The Academy looks forward to a dynamic and progressive future at the forefront of education in Northern Ireland.

Whilst we are proud of our rich heritage serving the community of Belfast and much further afield over the centuries, we are equally proud of the inclusive and diverse community that makes the Academy such a unique and special place. We are an academic school. However, our priority is the stimulation of independent enquiry and intellectual curiosity to equip all pupils to be successful and independent learners and future leaders. We try to maintain a positive balance between study and a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities, and we value cultural and sporting achievement equally. Within our pupils, we seek to develop skilful, confident, resilient, curious learners with a desire to learn more about the world.

We are an ambitious school and our aim is that pupils will leave the Academy having acquired a wide range of knowledge and experience, a group of life-long friends and a variety of interests that will remain with them in the years ahead.

I hope our website will give you a sense of our vibrant and caring school and the wealth of opportunities available. I would encourage you to visit Belfast Royal Academy first hand and experience all that we have to offer.

Principal: Mrs. H. Woods.