Originally situated near St Anne's Parish Church in what is now Academy Street, it moved to its current location on the Cliftonville Road in 1880.

A letter, headed “Liberty Hall”, was sent by the students to their masters in which they stated they would not surrender until their demands had been met.

The three significant dates mark the foundation of the school by James Crombie in 1785, the transfer to the present site in 1880 and the approval by Queen Victoria of the designation Belfast Royal Academy in 1888.

In addition, a pupil gaining intermediate honours is entitled to wear a black blazer with maroon braid surrounding a golden school badge.

A pupil gaining major honours in sport is entitled to wear a distinctive maroon blazer with blue braid and a gold school badge.