| Methodist College Belfast | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
 | |
, BT9 6BY Northern Ireland | |
| Coordinates | 54°35′00″N 5°56′25″W / 54.5834°N 5.9402°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Voluntary grammar |
| Motto | Latin: Deus Nobiscum God with us |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Interdenominational |
| Established | 1865 |
| Founder | Methodist Church in Ireland |
| Local authority | Education Authority |
| Chair | Rev. N Johnston |
| Principal | Jenny Lendrum |
| Gender | Co-educational |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Enrolment | ≈1,800 |
| Colour(s) | Navy & white |
| Publication | The MCB Magazine |
| Former pupils | Old Collegians |
| Preparatory schools | Fullerton House Downey House |
| Nobel laureates | Ernest Walton |
| Affiliation | HMC, ISC, ISBA |
| Website | www |
Methodist College Belfast (MCB), locally known as Methody, is a co-educational voluntary grammar school in Belfast, located at the foot of the Malone Road, Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1865 by the Methodist Church in Ireland and is one of eight Northern Irish schools represented on the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference. It is also a member of the Independent Schools Council[1] and the Governing Bodies Association.[2]
The college was ranked just outside the top 100 in the United Kingdom and 19th in Northern Ireland in the 2023 The Sunday Times Parent Power Best UK Schools Guide, which ranks schools based on GCSE and GCE Advanced Level examination results, truancy rates and pupil destinations. [3] A 2001 profile of the College in The Guardian as part of a article on possible changes to post-primary education in Northern Ireland report as having "the feel and confidence of a good public school".[4]
In rugby, the college has won both the Ulster Schools Cup and the Medallion Shield a record 37 times outright.[5] The college choirs have won Songs of Praise Choir of the Year, Sainsbury's Choir of the Year and RTÉ All-Island School Choir of the Year.[6] The Chapel Choir has performed in Westminster Abbey and the Carnegie Hall as well as during Queen Elizabeth II's visit to the Republic of Ireland.[7]
Past pupils of the college are known as Old Collegians and the college has a former pupils' organisation that brands itself as Methody Collegians. They have branches across the world, including London, Hong Kong and Canada.[8] The college has links with Belfast Harlequins, the successor of the former sports club for staff and past pupils, Collegians.[9] Methodist College is a registered charity.[10]
- ^ "Methodist College – ISC". www.isc.co.uk.
- ^ "Schools". Governing Bodies Association NI. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
- ^ "Best school in Northern Ireland crowned in Sunday Times guide". December 2023.
- ^ Woodward, Will (23 October 2001). "Test paper". The Guardian.
- ^ "BBC 2006 Rugby Schools Cup Final Report including Winners Table". BBC News. 17 March 2006. Retrieved 17 March 2007.
- ^ "About Methody's Choirs".
- ^ "Queen Elizabeth II's visit to the Republic of Ireland". BBC News. 12 May 2011.
- ^ "Photo Gallery of Reunions, Methodist College Belfast". Archived from the original on 3 March 2008. Retrieved 28 November 2007.
- ^ "Collegians History". www.collegiansclub.com. Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ "Fundraising and Alumni Relations Office" (PDF). www.methody.org. Retrieved 4 April 2019.