About Us
Foyle College traces its origins to 1617 and the establishment of the Free Grammar School at Society Street within the city walls of Derry by Mathias Springham of the Merchant Taylors' Company of London. The original building had the following Latin inscription over the main doorway: 'Mathias Springham, A.R. ad honorem dei et bonarum, literarum propogationem, hanc scholam fundavit anno salutis, M.D.C.XVII'. The Free School was built to “the honour of God and the spreading of good literature”.
Following a relocation to a new £24M single campus, the school now sits on the Limavady Road at the site of the former US Naval Communications Station. This means for the first time in 50 years, all the pupils in Foyle College are on one site.
As a grammar school it admits pupils based on academic selection. Prospective pupils are required to take the SEAG assessment in order to be admitted to Foyle College.
Our History
Foyle College: A Legacy of Learning Since 1617
Foyle College has a long and distinguished history, with its origins tracing back to 1617 when it was founded as the Free Grammar School within the city walls of Londonderry. Established with funding from Mathias Springham of the Merchant Taylors' Company of London, the school was created to provide high-quality education to the local community.
Early Years and Development
Initially supported by The Honourable The Irish Society and later overseen by the Bishop of Derry, the school became the Diocesan Free School. Despite enduring the Siege of 1689, which brought destruction to much of the city, the school remained a steadfast institution, continuing to educate pupils into the 19th century.
A major turning point came in 1814 when the school relocated to a new site on Strand Road, adopting the name Foyle College. At this time, it had a rival in the Londonderry Academical Institution, which was founded in 1868 on Academy Road. The two schools coexisted for decades until 1896, when they were amalgamated under the Foyle College name.
Londonderry High School & Girls’ Education
From the 1860s, the city also saw the establishment of several girls' schools, including Strand House, the Ladies' Collegiate School, and St Lurach's College. These institutions merged in 1922 to form Londonderry High School, which was initially based on Duncreggan Road until moving to Springtown in 1967.
The 20th Century: Mergers and Modernisation
By the 1970s, shifting demographics and declining enrolment numbers led to significant changes. In 1976, the two schools merged to form a co-educational institution with students learning across two separate sites. This newly combined school became known as Foyle & Londonderry College.
The school continued to uphold its strong academic reputation, and in 2010, it formally reverted to the historic name – Foyle College.
A New Era: The 21st Century and Beyond
As the school approached its 400th anniversary, plans were set in motion for a modern, purpose-built campus. In 2017, Foyle College relocated to a state-of-the-art facility on Limavady Road. The new campus provides a cutting-edge learning environment, accommodating approximately 900 students.
With over 400 years of heritage, Foyle College remains one of Northern Ireland’s most respected academic institutions, combining tradition with innovation to prepare students for the future.