It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Friends’ School, a thriving school community in the heart of Lisburn. It is the only Quaker school in Northern Ireland and has a rich history dating back to its foundation in 1774.
Principal’s Welcome
Welcome to
Friends' School Lisburn
We invite everyone who comes to Friends’ to embark on an adventure where they will meet new and interesting people, develop a deep love of learning and enjoy a wide range of opportunities in the classroom and beyond.
Pupils at Friends’ are encouraged to nurture values that will allow them not only to learn but also to lead fulfilling lives and make a difference in society. Our emphasis on the unique value of each individual allows us to offer our pupils the opportunity to grow and flourish personally and intellectually in a supportive, caring and stimulating environment.
The journey our pupils make from when they start to when they leave is a rewarding and enriching one. It is a privilege for us to watch them grow and develop, to celebrate their achievements, and then to invite them so that they can inspire the next generation.
We hope you enjoy finding out more about our school and we would be delighted to meet you at one of our Open Days or events.
Stephen Moore
Principal
250 years in the making
Our Quaker Heritage
The school was founded by the Religious Society of Friends’ in 1774, originally to provide an education for the children of Quakers in the area.
Originally known as the Ulster Provincial School, it was unusual for its time in that it provided for both boys and girls, something which encapsulates the value of equality which has remained central to its ethos ever since.
As the Quakers were at the forefront of the linen industry in the area at the time, it is no surprise that it was a linen merchant, John Hancock, who bequeathed the sum of £1000 for the purchase of the land here on Prospect Hill. The first headmaster was John Gough, a Quaker from Kendal, whose seminal textbooks on arithmetic and English grammar were widely used at the time.
From its beginnings as a school for 35 children, Friends’ is now a thriving school providing for over 1000 pupils from across the community in Lisburn and beyond. Over the past 250 years, it has borne witness to the often troubled history of Lisburn and, although much has changed, it remains true to the Quaker principles on which it was founded.
"Friends’ School Lisburn offers students a nurturing environment where they forge meaningful relationships and cultivate character. Our warm community encourages excellence both academically and across a range of extra-curricular activities. Joining Friends’ means becoming part of a school with a long-standing history and a rich legacy."
Sarah - Year 14