Friends' School, Lisburn, was founded by Quakers in 1774 but now serves as a Grammar School for the town and district of Lisburn and draws pupils from all sections of the community. Courses provided are of an academic nature and pupils are prepared through GCSE, A-levels and AS levels for entry into Higher Education in Universities, both in Ireland and Great Britain and also further afield.
Boarding provision has always been offered and to-day children are accepted both from the United Kingdom and from overseas. The school is conveniently located for air and rail transport and it enjoys a spacious site with mature grounds and well laid-out playing fields close to the town centre. New building developments over recent years have ensured that accommodation for teaching purposes and for boarding is of a high standard and a new classroom, Library and 6th Form extension was completed in January 1991. A new Technology Building was completed in 1992. A new Preparatory School was completed in August 1996.
Much emphasis is given to the pastoral care of pupils and each one is encouraged to participate in sport and in the extensive extra-curricular programme on offer. Careers guidance is of a high order and close links are maintained with the local universities.
The Quaker ethos of care for the individual and of the development of inherent potential underpins the general philosophy of the School and thus creates a dynamic community in which these ideals can be realised.
