ORIGINS
Rockport was founded as an all boys’ boarding Prep School in 1906. It is now a school for three to sixteen year olds run as three schools in one – Pre-Prep (3 – 7 year olds), Prep (8 – 13 year olds) and Senior School (14 – 16 year olds). Regular boarders board for four nights – they come in on Monday morning and go home on Friday at 5.30p.m.

PHILOSOPHY
Rockport aims to develop the whole person. It is an inter-denominational school. Boys and girls from three to sixteen are prepared for Grammar School in Northern Ireland or for Independent Schools in England, Scotland and Southern Ireland. Staff aim to develop the academic, cultural, social, physical and spiritual aspects of each pupil. Weekly or Casual Boarding places are available to 7 – 13 year olds. Full-time boarding is not on offer at
Rockport.
Children are encouraged to participate in daily Evening Clubs.

ACADEMIC
While not obliged to, the school follows the Northern Ireland curriculum, but also adds to it, particularly for children who may be going to public school in England or Scotland. For example, French is introduced at age 6 – 7 and Spanish is added at age 11. Subjects taught in the Prep are English, Maths, Science, French, Spanish, History, Geography, Religious Studies, Home Economics, Art, Music, ICT, Current Affairs and SES. P5 is the introductory year for specialist teaching. Subjects on offer for GCSE are English Language, English Literature, Maths, French, Spanish, Double Award Science, Biology, History, Geography, Media Studies, Art, Music, Home Economics, ICT, SES and PE., but are arranged in such an order of options that enables each particular year group to choose the mix of subjects that suits them best. For as long as it will exist, Rockport will continue to prepare thoroughly for 11+, but this is in addition to continuing to provide an all-round education – in other words, life does not stop for 11+ preparation.

LEISURE PURSUITS
Pupils in the Prep (7 – 13 year olds) have daily sport, which includes a wide range of team and individual games. There is equal opportunity for all. Almost two thirds of the school play a musical instrument and all pupils are on the stage in form plays at least twice a year. Most pupils
in the school are involved in one of the many drama productions each year, in addition to annual Declamations.